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Desert Hills
BAND CAMP
June 2 - 6, 2025
Join young musicians (ages 11-16) from around the Valley at the second 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 8:30am-12:30pm each day, students participate in small and large ensembles, 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.
About the Classes
Band Camp includes four core activities each day.
Small Ensemble
In Small Ensemble
(saxophone quartet, brass quintet, woodwind ensemble, percussion ensemble, etc.) students play in small chamber groups of 3-6 musicians. While preparing a piece of music to perform, they’ll learn how to balance and blend multiple parts in a small group; how to play with precision; listening, tuning, and awareness of other players, and much more. Students will be grouped based on instrument, age, playing experience, and other factors. If campers sign up with a friend, we will do our best to put them in a small ensemble together!
Large Ensemble
All musicians come together for 45 minutes each day to prepare for a concert, given on the last day of camp. The concert is open to the public.
Working under the direction of conductor Austin Cilone, director of award-winning bands at Sandra Day O'Connor High School, the full group of woodwind, brass and percussion players will combine their sound for a show guaranteed to impress!
Electives
Students will take TWO electives. At registration, students will rank their elective preferences 1-6, and we will do our best to accommodate their top choices. Click an elective to view more information:
Drum Circle/African Drumming
Drum Circle will broaden students’ musical knowledge and rhythm skills through group hand drumming. In addition to learning the techniques of hand drumming, students will learn about the history and mechanics of hand drums, particularly the West African djembe. Through the drum circle, students will develop team skills and musical communication, as well as contribute to a supportive environment where all are welcome and encouraged to explore their artistic ideas. Drums will be provided and no prior drum/percussion experience is required.
Instructor: Morgan Sutherland
Jazz/Improvisation
Explore the vibrant world of jazz in our improvisation fundamentals class. In this elective, students will learn essential techniques and theory about the art of improvisation. They’ll delve into scales, chord progressions, and rhythmic patters, honing skills through guided exercises and collaborative jam sessions. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, this class offers a dynamic space to cultivate creativity and fluency in jazz improvisation.
Instructor: Andre Womack
Music Composition
For students who have had some piano experience, learn the essentials of music composition in DHCSM’s state-of-the-art piano lab. Students will learn how to structure melody and harmony, basic left-hand patterns, musical form, and much more. Students will leave this elective with a finished composition, professionally printed.
Instructor: Jeffrey Anthony
Recording Studio
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.
Instructors: Kevin Weingartner & Shane Vance
Ukulele
Learn to play what is fast becoming one of today’s most popular instruments. This elective will cover the basics of the ukulele, including the chords and strumming patterns most commonly used in ukulele playing. The class will cover songs that prominently use the ukulele and explore the genres most associated with the instrument. The school will provide ukuleles for students to use during this elective.
Instructor: Shane Vance
Conducting
Ever wondered what it’s like 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 like dynamics and articulations.
Instructor: Austin Cilone.
Professional Concert
From 12:00-12:30pm each day, students are treated to a concert by professional musicians. The concerts will include a professional saxophone quartet, percussion ensemble, brass ensemble and others. Each performance will include Q&A time, giving students the opportunity to ask questions and learn from those who make music for a living. These concerts are free and open to the public, so parents and siblings are welcome to come early and hear the show. On the last day of camp, the concert will be given by the students.
Pre-Requisite: Students should have at least one year of experience playing their instrument in order to fully reap the benefits of this camp.
Sample Daily Schedule
| MON - THURS | FRIDAY | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30-9:15 | Small Ensemble | Small Ensemble |
| 9:20-10:00 | Elective #1 | Elective #1 |
| 10:05-10:20 | Snack/Break | Snack/Break |
| 10:25-11:05 | Elective #2 | Elective #2 |
| 11:10-11:55 | Large Ensemble | Large Ensemble |
| 12:00-12:30 | Faculty/pro concert | Student concert |
Our Faculty
MEET THE BAND CAMP FACULTY
Andre Womack
Small Ensemble, Jazz/Improvisation
Former director of bands at Cactus Shadows High School, Andre has given a world premiere performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., toured with the University of Kansas (KU) Saxophone Quartet, and completed several recording projects.
Jeffrey Anthony
Small Ensemble, Music Composition
Jeffrey, a former band director, holds masters degrees in saxophone performance and choral conducting. He plays soprano saxophone with the Fountain Hills Saxophone Quartet, and teaches saxophone, clarinet, organ, and other instruments at DHCSM.
Margo Kowal
Purveyor of Snacks, Games, and Fun!
Margo is in charge of snacks, games, fun, and general mayhem at band camp. She is also an accomplished clarinetist and played percussion for many years with the Scottsdale Community Band.
What parents had to say about last year’s camp . . .
My child absolutely loved everything about the camp!
-Nicole D.
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!
-Cindy Z.
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!
-Marcie F.
Band Camp Pricing
- $375 if registered by May 19
- $425 after May 19
Scholarships Available
Need some financial assistance to attend Band Camp? We have 50% and full scholarships available for families in need of assistance.
34605 N. Tom Darlington Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
(480) 869-7660