‘Worthy’ at Star Lake Musicamp

by Robert Mitchell

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” —Psalm 145:3

Star Lake Musicamp has become a summertime rite of passage for Amanda Dorce, who first picked up a musical instrument to be like her older brother, James.

The siblings attend The Salvation Army in Westbury, N.Y., and while James went on to play cornet in the prestigious New York Staff Band (NYSB), 20-year-old Amanda attended Star Lake Musicamp this year for her 11th time to hone her euphonium skills and get closer to God.

“I saw my brother going to the corps and playing music, and it inspired me to do it, too,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of that. He’s my biggest fan. He’s always pushing me to do better and be better, and he wants me to be better than him. I love coming to Star Lake because I get experience, I get life lessons, and the enjoyment of being around other believers like me, and also to be able to play music together in community.”

Star Lake Musicamp 2025, held August 9–16 in the mountains of Bloomingdale, N.J., drew 162 campers, 18 counselors, and more than 60 staffers with a theme of Christ being “Worthy” of praise. The spiritual element, as always, was on full display. Many raved about the daily devotions offered by Lieutenant JoeQuetta Sorrells from the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Philadelphia.

“The most important spiritual lesson I’ve learned this week is that I’m not alone,” Amanda Dorce said. “There are other youth like me who probably struggle in their faith sometimes, but we lean on each other and are there for each other.”

Dorce, who aspires to play in the NYSB someday like her brother, said she’s been blessed to teach others what she has learned: “I wouldn’t ask for it any other way. It’s great to see kids who started out just like you. You hope they can be what you are and even better.”

Making connections

Another Westbury musician, alto horn player Kettia Gervais, 20, has attended Star Lake since she was 9 and said she enjoys meeting people and playing new music at camp.

“I like surrounding myself with peers who enjoy doing the same things and connecting on so many levels,” Gervais said. “We all found something interesting about it. I guess we’re eager in a sense to just do more and keep learning.”

That was the case for Drake Finnicum, 15, attending his third Star Lake Musicamp. Like Dorce, he plays the euphonium, and he has hopes of starting a band at the Bellaire, Ohio, Corps, next month.

“I come here every year for a musical experience and to get spiritually closer to God,” Finnicum said. “We get to worship through music, vocals … many different ways than we normally get to.”

Also attending her third Musicamp was Elizabeth Ochoa, a 16-year-old timbrelist from the White Plains, N.Y., Corps, who was impressed with the emphasis on her spiritual life.

“We get to learn and meet new friends, and they help us in our spiritual walk with God here,” Ochoa said. “We’ve learned how to follow Him and look for Him in our lives.”

Miranda Perry, 19, a first-year camper from the Columbus, Ohio, Citadel Corps, was awed by the size of Star Lake, which is larger than Camp SWONEKY back home.

“It’s very peaceful here,” said Perry, who plays the timbrel. “I have a lot of time to think and soak it all in.”

A week of harmony and worship

The week featured several public performances by the campers, including a Preview Festival on Tuesday evening, a Soloist Night on Thursday, and the culmination with an awards ceremony and spectacular Finale Festival on Saturday morning.

“What you’re going to see today is all the results and fruits of this week. It’s been marvelous in so many ways,” said Derek Lance, Star Lake Musicamp director, in welcoming people to the Finale Festival and those watching via livestream.

Lance told viewers they were in for a “wonderful day of music-making and worship to the Lord” before inviting Territorial Commander Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz to offer the opening prayer.

“The one truth for everyone who has been here this week, whether you’ve been faculty or camper, is that you are a different person,” Lance said, “and God will reveal that in the days to come, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity of ministry in this sacred setting.”

The future is bright

Several members of the Star Lake Musicamp Hall of Fame made appearances during the week, and Lance invited former NYSB Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris to help him induct Major Robert Bender of the Mansfield, Ohio, Corps as the latest member. Lance called Bender a “legend of legends of counselors” willing to do anything asked of him.

“I didn’t always play music, but as a corps officer … I look forward to this every year — the ministry, the kids,” said Bender, who was overcome with emotion at one point. “The only thing I can say is us old people, we wonder where the Army’s going.  I think the Army’s going to be in good hands. I thank the Lord for letting me do this.”

Lance also recognized the week’s special guests — Dorothy Nancekievill, leader of the International Staff Songsters, and Bandmaster John Lam, who recently retired as the director of the Canadian Staff Band after 17 years.

Nancekievill, who last appeared at Star Lake 15 years ago, called her return an “absolutely fantastic” experience.

“It’s been great for me to come back,” she said. “Some things are the same and some things are different. The young people are so respectful and just up for a challenge. They’re really focused and want to be the best they can be.”

Like many others, Nancekievill was impressed at the emphasis on Christ being worthy of praise and the ever-present focus on each musician’s walk with God.

“They have listened with great intensity,” she said. “When you talk about the spiritual meaning of the music, you really feel like they’re switched on to that, which is a real joy. It’s lovely to see the impact it’s having on these young people.”

It’s who we are

Lam, who was making his first trip back to Star Lake in 11 years, said he witnessed “a lot of enthusiasm in every expression of the arts, from choral to timbrels to banding.” He raved about Star Lake’s leadership, administration, and faculty.

“They have such a great tradition in the Eastern Territory, and this is obviously such a well-known camp for so many reasons,” Lam said. “It’s just a great place to be with a rich history and expectations are high. The faculty really holds the students accountable to progress every day, while still managing to stick a bit of fun in there as well. It’s been great.”

Lam, who led the Star Lake Band all week and was also able to engage with campers and encourage the staff, said he saw a “real spiritual focus” with an emphasis on connecting scripture with the music and lyrics.

“It has to be that way,” Lam said. “We’re a Salvation Army camp and we exist to proclaim the gospel, so the gospel has to be at the center of everything we do musically.”

Click here for more information on the USA East Music Department and Star Lake Musicamp.