Desert Hills
BAND CAMP
June 1 - 5, 2026
Join young musicians (ages 10-15) from around the Valley at the fourth annual Desert Hills Band Camp.
This weeklong music skills development camp aims to help students become more proficient on their instruments, become more confident playing with other musicians, explore new instruments and skills, and hear/interact with professional musicians. From 9:00am-12:30pm (half-day camp) or 9:00am-3:00pm (full-day camp), students participate in small and large ensembles, jazz ensemble, and electives that stretch their musical skills.
Start your summer with new music, new friends, and top-notch instruction set amid the stunning backdrop of the North Scottsdale boulders.
Free transportation is provided from the vicinity of I-17/Happy Valley Rd. and from the vicinity of 27th Ave./Carefree Hwy. for full-day students. Space is limited and will be give on a first-come, first-serve basis. Email
communitymusic@deserthills.org for more information and to be placed on the transportation list.
About the Classes
Band Camp includes six core activities each day.
Large Ensemble
All musicians start the day together in Large Ensemble, under the direction of Austin Cilone, award-winning director of bands at Sandra Day O'Connor High School. Under Mr. Cilone's fun, high-energy leadership, students work
on preparing a concert, given on the last day of camp. The concert is open to the public and is always well attended.
Small Ensemble
In Small Ensemble, students play in chamber groups of 3-6 musicians. While preparing music to perform, students advance their technical skills while learning how to balance and blend parts in a small group. They also build critical listening and tuning skills. Students are grouped based on instrument, age, playing experience, and other factors.
Hand Bells
All students will learn to ring handbells and handchimes as a way of improving rhythm, sight-reading skills, and physical coordination, in a unique and fun ensemble.
Jazz Ensemble
All musicians participating in the Full-Day camp (9:00am-3:00pm) end the day together in Jazz Ensemble. Learning to play jazz exposes young musicians to new styles of music, new and more challenging rhythms, and unique repertoire. Students who choose to do so are given the opportunity to improvise solos.
At Band Camp 2025, the jazz ensemble premiered a new composition by Music Theory & Composition instructor Greg Smith, who will be leading the 2026 jazz band.
Pro Concert
From 12:00-12:30pm Monday-Thursday, professional musicians come in to perform for students. These concerts are free and open to the public, so families are welcome to come hear the show. On the last day of camp, the concert will be given by the students.
2026 performances will include the Fountain Hills Saxophone Quartet, Rhythm Is Life steel pan band, and the Salt River Brass Quintet.
Electives
Half-Day students will attend ONE elective (AM only); Full-Day students will attend TWO (one AM, one PM). Click on an elective to view more information. At checkout, you will rank electives by order of preference and we will do our best to put students in their top choices. Some electives have space limitations; these will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Conducting (AM)
Learn to lead a band! In conducting, you’ll learn the major conducting patterns for common time signatures, how to cue entrances and cut endings, how to lead at different tempos — and get a group to follow, and how to draw out musical details -- all while having lots of fun!
Exploring Harp (AM)
Join DHCSM harp instructor Jocelyn Obermeyer in learning fundamental harp skills. Students will learn how to find each string, and learn simple songs individually and as part of a group. Every student will have use of their own harp, and will be able to take it home during the week. The group will perform at the final concert, if they choose to.
Songwriting (AM)
Learn to write your own music with singer-songwriter Donna Wilde. Donna has worked as a freelance composer, musician and recording artist for more than twenty-five years. She is highly skilled at helping students of all ages take high-level ideas for songs and translate them into structured compositions. Students will get more out of this elective if they have some basic piano or guitar skills.
Steel Drums (AM)
Learn to play the funky, fun sounds of the Caribbean! Using steelpans of all sizes, students learn the techniques and rhythms that make the music of the islands known around the world. No drumming experience necessary! This popular elective can accept only 8 participants -- sign up early to get your spot!
Exploring Strings (PM)
Ever wondered what it's like to play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass? Students in "Exploring Strings" will choose one of the four string instruments to learn fundamental skills such as plucking, bowing, and basic finger positions. Students who took this class last year can come back for more advanced work on skills, or can try a different stringed instrument. The group will perform a song at the final concert.
Jazz Improvisation (PM)
No matter what your instrument, learn how to improvise and play jazz solos with local jazz artist Donna Wilde. By the end of the week, all students in this class will have the fundamental skills to improvise music in multiple keys. Students can then apply those skills in Jazz Band, which immediately follows this elective.
Music Theory (PM)
If you don't think music theory sounds fun, you haven't explored the topic with Mikaela Hanon, DHCSM flute instructor, ASU faculty associate, and teaching artist for the Phoenix Symphony. With a fun and engaging teaching style, Mikaela makes music theory concepts interesting and understandable for all ages.
Pre-Requisite: Students should have at least one year of experience playing their instrument in order to fully reap the benefits of this camp.
Daily Schedule
| MON - THURS | FRIDAY | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00-9:55 | Large Ensemble | Large Ensemble |
| 10:00-10:20 | Handbells | Handbells |
| 10:25-11:15 | Elective #1 | Elective #1 |
| 11:20-12:00 | Small Ensemble | Small Ensemble |
| 12:00-12:30 | Pro Concert | Student Concert (12:00-1:00pm) |
| 12:30 | Release (Half-Day) | |
| 12:30-1:00 | Lunch (Full-Day) | |
| 1:00-1:55 | Elective #2 | |
| 2:00-3:00 | Jazz Ensemble |
What parents have to say about camp . . .
My child absolutely loved everything about the camp!
Band camp was AMAZING! It was a great way to start my son’s summer vacation, meeting new friends and filling his heart with music. He is anxiously awaiting this year's camp!
The Desert Hills band camp was a great experience for my son! Not only did he enjoy meeting new friends, he learned so much and improved on his saxophone skills! He will definitely be back!
My child loved all of it. It was a positive environment with good teachers, good kids, and a good length of time. We'll be back!
Band Camp Pricing
- $375 (Half-Day camp)
- $525 (Full-Day camp)
- Full-Day camp prices include lunch
Scholarships Available
Need some financial assistance to attend Band Camp? We have 50% and 80% scholarships available for families in need of assistance.
