On Oct. 21, Chamber choir members headed to the Marriott West hotel for group bonding.

Each year, Howell’s chamber choir has a retreat to help participants get to know each other and create stronger foundation to create music.

“Chamber retreat allows us to get outside of the four walls of the rehearsal room to really focus on team building and developing relations,” choir director Karey Fitzpatrick said.

“It’s nice to get a relief from school and hang out with your friends doing what you love,” veteran Chamber member Jenny Mason said.

Every year the chamber group becomes more of a family in as little as fifteen hours.

“Students look forward to it every year,” Ftizpatrick said. “It’s a really great way to get to know each other better.”

Fitzpatrick also joined the students in helping create bonds extending farther than the ensemble.

“Last year I didn’t know lots of people because I was new,” senior Nicole Junkel said. “This year I knew more people, so we learned deeper things about each other.”

“The choir students are working really hard this year,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’re excited to show our stuff at the concert.”

The Fall concert for choir is Nov. 16, at Zion Lutheran church.