Join young musicians (ages 10-16) from around the Valley at the third 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, electives that stretch their musical skills, and a professional performance.
Start your summer with new music, new friends, and top-notch instruction set amid the stunning backdrop of the North Scottsdale boulders.
Band Camp includes six core activities each day.
Large Ensemble
All musicians start the day together, working 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 small chamber groups. While preparing music to perform, students learn how to balance and blend multiple parts in a small group; listening, tuning, and awareness of other players, and more. Students are grouped based on instrument, age, playing experience, and other factors.
Hand Bells
New this year, 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 new repertoire.
Jazz Ensemble will be led by Andre Womack, former director of bands at Cactus Shadows High School and leader of last year's popular Jazz/Improv elective. The Jazz Ensemble will perform at the final concert on Friday, June 6.
Pro Concert
From 12:05-12:30pm Monday-Thursday, different groups of professional musicians 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.
Electives
Half-Day students will choose ONE elective; Full-Day students will choose TWO. At registration, please rank your elective preferences 1-6, and we will do our best to accommodate each student's top choices. Click an elective to view more information:
Back by popular demand: 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!
Instructor: Austin Cilone.
Learn to use an instrument we all possess: the voice! Working with professional singer Donna Wilde, students will learn how to produce the best sound quality in their singing, how to sing intervals and hit pitches, how to blend their voices with others, and more.
Instructor: Donna Wilde
Learn to play the funky, fun sounds of the Caribbean! Using steelpans of all sizes, percussion instructor Wes Hawkins will teach students the techniques and rhythms that make the music of the islands known around the world. No drumming experience necessary!
Instructor: Wes Hawkins
Learn the fundamentals of music theory & composition from a working composer. Greg Smith, who holds a masters in music theory & composition, has had his music featured in Milan Fashion Week fashion shows.
Music theory may seem unexciting, but those who understand it well have the tools to become better musicians and composers. Greg will make the class fun and interesting for even the most reluctant theory student!
Instructor: Greg Smith
Delve into the art and science of music recording, learning fundamental techniques to craft professional-quality tracks. This course will show students how to translate their musical ideas into polished recordings. Explore essential studio equipment, recording software, and techniques for capturing and manipulating sound. Basic computer knowledge is required to maximize the learning experience in this course. The AM elective is for students ages 10-13; the PM elective is for students ages 14-16.
Instructors: Kevin Weingartner & Shane Vance
Learn to play the piano! As a supplementary instrument for band musicians, piano is unbeatable. Beyond just being fun to play, it teaches students to read bass and treble clefs simultaneously, execute different rhythms in different hands, and improve motor skills. In Beginning Piano, students will learn the fundamentals of the keyboard, reading on the grand staff, basic chords and more.
Ever wondered what it's like to play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass? This is your opportunity. Over four days, from 1-2pm Monday through Thursday, students will learn some fundamental skills on the four primary instruments of the String family under the guidance of cellist Alyssa Tappendorf. Students in this elective will have the opportunity to perform a short string piece in the final concert.
Instructor: Alyssa Tappendorf
Pre-Requisite: Students should have at least one year of experience playing their instrument in order to fully reap the benefits of this camp.
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 |
12:05-12:30 | Pro Concert | Student Concert (12:05-1:00pm) |
12:30 | Release (Half-Day) | |
12:30-1:00 | Lunch (Full-Day) | |
1:00-1:55 | Elective #2 | |
2:00-3:00 | Jazz Ensemble |
MEET THE BAND CAMP FACULTY
Large Ensemble, Conducting
Austin Cilone is the band director at Sandra Day O'Connor HS, where his groups regularly receive "Superior with Distinction" at festivals. He has worked extensively with top drum and bugle corps; performs regularly with the Tempe Wind Ensemble and Salt River Brass; and holds a masters in instrumental conducting from NAU.
Percussion Small Ensemble, Steel Drums
Wes Hawkins is a percussionist and educator in the Phoenix area. He teaches Jazz History, Steel Pan, and Percussion at Phoenix College. He owns the Rhythm is Life Percussion Studio and leads the popular Rhythm Is Life Steel Band. He also is drummer/percussion accompanist for the Phoenix Children's Chorus, Phoenix Boy's Choir and other top organizations.
Small Ensemble, Music Theory & Composition
Greg has more than 40 years of experience performing and directing many different types of ensembles, including concert/marching bands, jazz bands, orchestras, rock and funk bands, and show/pit orchestras. He is also an active composer. He holds a masters in music theory from ASU.
Strings Exploration
Alyssa graduated from ASU with a BA in Music Learning and Teaching, specializing in cello. She is currently developing an instrumental music program at North Valley Christian Academy. She also is an active member of the North Valley Symphony Orchestra, performing in both the cello and percussion sections.
Recording Studio
Shane Vance is a local guitar player celebrated for his colorful fusion of jazz and R&B. As a recording artist, he has independently released two albums. Shane teaches guitar, mandolin, bass, ukulele at DHCSM. He also leads the school's Recording Studio Lab class.
Voice/Group Singing, Small Ensemble
Donna Wilde has been teaching and performing for more than a quarter century. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in Music Education, Donna began working as a freelance composer, musician, and recording artist. Today, she sings and plays with several popular local bands, including the S’mile Band, Mancini Band, and WildeP’lay.
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!
Need some financial assistance to attend Band Camp? We have 50% and full scholarships available for families in need of assistance.