The chorus at Louisiana Tech’s Summer Music Camp performs at the week’s final recital with Lana Hebert Carver, of Ruston, conducting. Performing are (front row from left) Courtney McKinney, Ruston; Jessie LaRae Dunham, Delhi; Jordan Miller, Little Rock, Ark.; Rachael Buckley, New Orleans; (second row) Beverly Ann Napper, Ruston; Elizabeth Pye, Arcadia; and Sophie Kuhn, New Orleans.

Concerning this year’s Summer Music Camp at Louisiana Tech, forget the time-honored “less is more” rhetoric. In this case, more actually equaled more.

More types of activities plus more counselors equaled more campers from more areas.

Dr. Steele Moegle, director of Louisiana Tech’s Summer Music Camp, teaches technique in the campus’s digital piano lab. Putting that technique to use are (first row from left) Beverly Ann Napper, Courtney McKinney, Emma Carpenter and Hannah Rose McIntire — all of Ruston; (second row) Brittany Avery, Minden; and Kyle Collins, Shongaloo.

Camp director Dr. Steele Moegle, an associate professor of music, said the camp saw a 40 percent increase in campers from the previous few years. “Our goal is to make music education fun and exciting,” she said.

Student Rachael Buckley, of New Orleans; teacher and counselor Joshua Carver, of Ruston; and student Sophie Kuhn, of New Orleans, work together in the music technology lab at Louisiana Tech’s 2008 Summer Music Camp.

Participants attended from as far away as New Orleans and Little Rock, Ark., and from as close as Ruston, Choudrant, Arcadia and West Monroe. “That goes to our superb teaching and better advertising and excellent word-of-mouth reputation,” Moegle said.

Campers’ grade levels ranged from seventh to 12th and, for future reference, Moegle said fifth- and sixth-graders are eligible to attend as well.

Moegle feels particularly satisfied with the increased participation because, she said, “There are so many other draws for kids today. I think sometimes they choose other things (to do during the summer) than what they might see as a hobby.” Sports-related activities are one example that she cited.

Tech’s Summer Music Camp began as a piano and voice camp, but within the last several years other instruments, such as organ or guitar, have joined the line-up at various times.

James Davison studies guitar with teacher and counselor Joshua Carver during the university’s ’08 Summer Music Camp. Both are from Ruston.

In addition to directing the camp, Moegle taught piano lessons, piano ensemble and music technology. Two of her colleagues in the music department also taught: Dr. Daniel Immel, piano, and Dr. Lisa Maxedon, voice.

What’s more, five counselors worked with campers this year, up from the traditional three: