There’s A Song In The Air At Band Camp
If your child is an aspiring musician, band camp may be the perfect choice for his next summer camp. These camps will encourage or spark interest in musical talent. In some cases, band camps are required for students to participate in school band programs. Whatever the case, your child will develop their musical and marching abilities.
Band camps are generally available as both day camps and residential camps. Many schools that require their band students to attend band camp will offer a day camp in order to cut expenses. If your child wants to learn from teachers other than the ones he spends his school year with, however, he may want to go to a residential camp.
In cases where your child decides to go away to a band camp, he is likely to learn from professional musicians. Often these camps will specialize in only one instrument, or only one group of instruments such as strings or woodwinds. These camps can include options such as private lessons, ensemble and group work. Most band camps also require students to learn the basics of marching and drill work. These fundamentals are necessary for those wishing to participate in a drum and bugle corps, or even a high school marching band.
Many high schools that have a marching band program require students to attend a band camp in order to be allowed to play in the band. In some of these camps students will actually go to a college campus or other facility where they will stay in the college dorms as well as use the college’s music facilities to practice. Often music majors studying at the college will provide special instruction and also help teach the music and drill. Other high school band camps simply meet as a day camp at the student’s own high school. During these camps, professionals will often be hired and brought in to help teach students needed aspects of the music and drill.
The basic goal of high school band camps is to teach students the music and footwork for their halftime field show which will be performed during school football games. During a one or two week course of camp, students will learn to play and commit their music to memory. In addition to playing music, students must learn to stay in step with each other and make the drill, which is actually broken down into numerous segments to make it easier to learn, seem seamless. In order to make a field show successful, students must learn to listen to and watch each other. Without these skills, a field show can look and sound sloppy and unprofessional.
In addition to improving their musical ability, students also learn life lessons such as cooperation and discipline while in band camp. Whether your child is required to attend band camp or if he simply wants to improve his musical talent, these camps are an excellent way to spend the summer.