Desert Hills
BAND CAMP
June 2 - 6, 2025
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.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Free transportation will be provided from the vicinity of Sandra Day O'Connor High School and North Valley Christian Academy, to and from Desert Hills Band Camp, for full-day Band Camp students. Space is limited and will be give on a first-come, first-serve basis. Email
schoolofmusic@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, 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:
Conducting (AM)
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.
Voice/Group Singing (AM)
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
Steel Drums (AM)
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
Music Theory & Composition (AM & PM)
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
Recording Studio Lab (AM & PM)
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
Beginning Piano (PM)
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.
Exploring Strings (PM)
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.
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 |
| 12:05-12:30 | 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 |
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)
- On May 15, prices increase to $425 (Half-Day) and $575 (Full-Day)
- Full-Day camp prices include lunch
Scholarships Available
Need some financial assistance to attend Band Camp? We have 50% and 75% scholarships available for families in need of assistance.
