The International Music Camp was honored at the annual Governor's Awards for the Arts event Tuesday, and so were four individuals for their contributions.

"It was almost overwhelming," said Joe Alme, the camp's director about Tuesday's experience. "To be with the governor, to have all of those people who believe in the arts, who work so hard at their discipline."

But Alme said the camp, celebrating its 50th year, deserves the award.

"It's been a very positive influence on thousands of lives," he said. The camp - started by Merton Otgaard, who turned over the reins to Alme about 22 years ago - has trained more than 107,000 musicians from 70 countries at its about seven-acre campus at the International Peace Gardens.

Also honored were Bill Eckroth, of Bismarck, music store owner and music educator; Glory Monson, of Rugby, founder of the Village Arts Program and Back-Stage; Walter Piehl, of Minot, for his 30-plus years as an artist and educator; and Gene Okerlund, of Fargo, for helping to guide the growth of the arts statewide through programs that he initiated and mentored.

Getting picked for the honor is a several-steps process. Names are submitted from throughout the state, then a committee of individuals representing various areas of the state go through the nominations and submit the final choices, about 10 names usually, to the governor, who makes the final choices.