Otis Music Camp plans to host finale concert at Grand Opera House

The 2025 Otis Music Camp is winding down its very first year in the brand new, multi-million-dollar Otis Redding Center for the Arts with a grand finale concert Saturday at the Piedmont Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and curtains rise at 7 p.m. for campers who’ve spent the last three weeks at the center — or ORCA, as it’s been nicknamed — getting hands-on with all manner of music and music business matters.

Saturday’s program is free, but organizers recommend a $10 donation at the door to help further the center’s mission. They also suggest sending an RSVP through the center’s website or social media.

Otis Music Camp is designed for students ages 12-18 and aims to help them grow as musicians, expose them to various aspects of the music business and teach them how to navigate the music industry. They write original music, record on-site at the state-of-the-art O3 Recording Studio and get to perform at Saturday’s grand finale.

They are led at camps by guest music industry leaders, an impressive list of well-known performers and by the nine-member ORCA staff, plus some 35 coaches — now known as “Orcastrators” — who are mostly Otis Music Camp alumni.

Though the camp’s roots go back to gatherings Otis Redding conducted in the 1960s, modern camps began in 2008 as a one-week offering for seven campers at what once was the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Sponsored by the Otis Redding Foundation, started by Redding’s widow, Zelma Redding, in 2007 to continue his charitable and educational work, the camp grew to two weeks at various borrowed locations around Macon.

With the new, long-dreamed-of facility, the camp immediately expanded to three weeks with plans to eventually make it a month-long affair. And it’s grown from seven to 50 or so participants with hopes of increasing that figure. As you might imagine, there’s a waiting list to participate, so it’s not too early to start thinking about next year’s camp.

Saturday, you can expect to hear a spectrum of music as diverse as the community itself, ranging from rock to rap to pop to gospel to jazz to classical and R&B, showcasing the talents of campers through original songs written and arranged by them. 

There will be group performances, solos and special tributes with Redding’s presence and legacy felt in full force.

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Redding’s daughter, Karla Redding-Andrews, is at the helm of the foundation and center as its vice president and executive director. I managed to pose a few questions to her in the whirlwind of putting on the expanded camp in the new center, which, as you’d expect, was both a dream come true and a challenge.

Q: How has camp been? Has ORCA injected a new spirit or atmosphere among campers?

A: The energy at Otis Music Camp this year has been absolutely electric. Having our first-ever three-week camp in the new Otis Redding Center for the Arts has brought a renewed sense of pride, purpose and inspiration for both the students and staff. The space was designed with creativity in mind, and you can feel that spirit in every corner – it’s truly elevated the entire camp experience.

Q: What comments and reactions are you getting from returning campers?

A: Returning campers are in awe of the new facility. Many have said it feels like a second home now – bigger, brighter and even more full of possibility. They’re especially excited about the new rehearsal spaces and the sense of professionalism and belonging the center provides.

Q: Will the community be impressed by what they see on Saturday at the grand finale?

A: Absolutely! Saturday’s grand finale performance will be a true showcase of the hard work, growth and passion of our campers. The talent and heart these students are bringing to the stage is remarkable. We’re confident the community will be moved and inspired by what they see.

Q: After all the work to make ORCA a reality, what’s your heart telling you about this camp?

A: It’s been deeply emotional and incredibly fulfilling. Seeing students thrive in a space that was built for them – and because of them – is humbling. It’s a powerful reminder of why this work matters and why we continue to invest in the next generation of musicians, leaders and changemakers.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about the camp, show or staff?

A: We are so proud of our team – our coaches, volunteers and staff who pour their hearts into making this experience unforgettable. And of course, the campers themselves who bring their full selves into the creative process every day. Saturday’s performance is not just a concert – it’s a celebration of everything Otis Redding stood for: soul, dedication and the power of music to uplift and unite.

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Though Otis Music Camp is the original and some might say the premier event at ORCA, the facility is also home to an expanding slate of opportunities such as Camp Dream, a summer program for students ages 5-11, music lessons, workshops and more.

ORCA is located at 436 Cotton Ave. More information on Saturday’s grand finale and the work of ORCA and the Otis Redding Foundation can be found at orcamacon.org and otisreddingfoundation.org.

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Also this weekend, catch the opening reception of “The Rainbow Show” at ArtSpace Macon, 2378 Ingleside Ave., on Friday from 4-7 p.m., featuring work from more than 120 LGBTQ+ artists and allies from across Middle Georgia.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com. Find him on Instagram at @michael_w_pannell.