The New Ulm Suzuki School’s Pops Camp started earlier this week and will conclude with a performance at 6 p.m. Friday at the New Ulm Public High School Auditorium.

The concert is open to the public. Admission is $2 per person. Admission is free for children 12 and under.

The Suzuki School has been hosting a summer camp program for students for 30 years but in 2020 and 2021 was unable to host the program because of the pandemic. This is the first Pops Camp held in three years. About 50 music students participated in this year’s camp.

Suzuki Camp coach Paula Anderson said the program is about getting kids excited about music. The program features students as young as 7, but also includes a few adults.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The cello section of Kara Jorve, left, Ruby Lindstrum and Sharon Rogers plays during group rehearsal.

This year’s Pop Camp featured guest clinician Carl Rieke. A former Fairfax native, Rieke has served as the music director at the Red Wing Theater Company and performed with a variety of orchestras, including the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, Owatonna Chamber Orchestra, New Ulm Civic Orchestra, Southern Crescent Symphony and North Georgia Symphony.

Rieke has been preparing the students for Friday’s performance, which will include selected works from popular movies and a few classical selections.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Suzuki School Summer Pops Camp rehearse as a group in the New Ulm High School auditorium, with guest clinician Carl Rieke serving as conductor.