Nearly 500 middle and high school students attended band camp at Lamar University June 22-26, making this the largest camp in fifteen years. The students, who came from as far as Baton Rouge in the east and San Antonio in the west, attended the camp to improve their craft, work with industry professionals and get a taste of college life.
Campers arrived on Sunday afternoon and came prepared with their audition music. After the mass tryouts, the 472 students were divided into five different bands based on skill and ability. The bands rehearsed all week with renowned conductors such as Sonny Martinez from Timberview High School in Mansfield, Texas; Travis Harris from Gainesville Junior High; Jaime Yim from Mauriceville Middle School; Mike Westbrook from Hardin Jefferson ISD; and Holly Turk from East Chambers ISD.
In addition to the conductors, the band camp staff consisted of more than 35 counselors to monitor the students and 20 other support staff. Russell Tipton, music teacher at C.O. Wilson Middle School in Nederland, was head counselor for the camp.
Tipton was impressed with the mix of students. “It’s wonderful to see the teaching styles from all the different schools coming together,” he said. “The students work together in four days to put a performance together with people they just met. Music really is the universal language. They play at a very high level and put on an outstanding show.”
Morgan Kirkland, a flutist from Lumberton Middle School, enjoyed her second year at band camp. Kirkland liked that “band camp challenges you and helps you become better.” Ashley Pace, from Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, agrees with Kirkland. She benefits from the edge up she gets upon returning to school in the fall. “The music is easier,” she said, after experiencing band camp.
With his long hair and black “Band Geek” t-shirt, Trae Block from Vidor High School was not your typical camper. Block plays the baritone saxophone and the bassoon and said he wants to be a high school band director when he finishes college. He likes band camp “a lot more than regular band. Most people are serious musicians. It’s a better musical experience.”
In addition to expert musical training, the students have the opportunity to live like college kids. They stay in Cardinal Village and eat at the new dining hall. “I love the dorms,” said Angie Murphy, a French horn player from Sour Lake. She enjoyed the extracurricular activities such as a dance, talent show, and of course, playing Guitar Hero with the other kids.
For Kevin Stone, director of athletic bands at Lamar and band camp organizer, the camp presents more than an opportunity for students to improve their musical skills. “The camp hones in on the discipline we teach in music, the problem solving skills. The kids are active on campus and must be responsible for sticking to a schedule. For many of them, it is their first chance to spread their wings away from home.”
Taylor VanDevender from Vidor has experienced this growth. When asked what she’s gained from her three summers at band camp, she said, “I learned when to step up and lead, and also when to step aside and let someone else lead.”
