McMurry Music Department

We are proud to offer two separate camps; Marching Percussion and Color Guard Camp July 11-14, then Band and Drum Major Camp July 14-19.

All information will be posted to this website, which is updated periodically with audition music, general instructions, etc. Please review the website thuroughly before contacting the office - the information you are looking for is probably here!

featuring guest clinicians

Bill Bachman, Percussion

Jeff Queen, Percussion

Celestino Sosa, Color Guard

We are opening the camp to front ensemble instrumentation! Please contact the camp office BEFORE completing an application, so that we may verify instrument availability. Call 325-793-3837 or email porter.kelli@mcm.edu to confirm.

featuring guest clinicians

Keith Bearden, Honor Band

June Bearden, Symphonic Band

Brandon Robinson, Drum Majors

Please note that ALL campers must have a completed McMurry Band Camp Application on file before being allowed to attend camp.

Download audition music for your instrument by clicking the appropriate link below.

Alto Saxophone
Bari Sax
All Clarinets
Bassoon/Trombone/Euphonium BC
EuphoniumTC
Flute
French Horn
Oboe
Percussion
Tenor Sax
Trumpet
Tuba

Alto Saxophone
Bari Sax
All Clarinets
Trombone/Euphonium BC
EuphoniumTC
Flute
French Horn
Oboe
Percussion
Tenor Sax
Trumpet
Tuba

Download audition music for the Jazz Band by clicking the appropriate link below.

Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Bari Sax
Trumpet
Trombone
Guitar
Bass Guitar
Drums

The application is available for download by clicking on the appropriate link above. You can also contact the McMurry Band Camp office to request a pre-printed copy of the application if you prefer. Please fill it out completely and mail it with the appropriate fees to the address indicated on the application. All residential campers must register by July 3, 2013. Day-camp participants may register July 4 - July 8, 2013 with a $20 late fee assessed.

Students must provide their own instruments for the McMurry Band Camp , except for percussion instruments (xylophone, etc). Percussionists will need to bring their own sticks and mallets. Students who play school instruments (i.e. tuba, bass clarinet), should arrange to get an instrument from their band director before camp begins. All-day colorguard participant must bring their own equipment. Flags will only be provided for the Colorguard elective class for band campers.

Instructional staff will consist of professional music educators from the Abilene area--possibly even your band director! Additional teaching, as well as student supervision, will be provided by student leaders chosen from the McMurry University Band program. The staff has been carefully selected to give your son or daughter a positive, safe, and exciting experience.

We are proud to offer colorguard as an all-day camp. We do not offer twirling at this time.

Yes. The dormitories on our campus will be available. Students who do not indicate a roommate preference will be assigned a roommate for camp housing. Resident Assistants will monitor all dorm activities to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Band Camp participants will audition upon arriving at camp and checking in on Sunday, July 14th. Audition music will posted on this website May 1, 2013. Colorguard participants will also audition to be placed in ability-based classes. While there is not a pre-set audition routine, all colorguard campers should review their basic skills before coming to camp. Marching Percussion campers will audition upon arriving at camp on Thursday, July 9 Drum Major campers WILL audition.

Students and their families are responsible for getting them to the McMurry campus for camp. Once they check in for camp, residential campers will not be allowed to leave campus until camp concludes on Friday, July 19th. Day campers are expected to be on campus by the time the first activity begins each day. Please plan to pick up your day-camper as soon as the activities for the day conclude at 5:30 p.m. All day campers are welcome to participate in the evening social activities! Some schools may provide transportation to camp. Check with your band director.

All campers, whether day-camp or overnight participants, will be fed lunch every day and dinner on Sunday, July 14th in the McMurry cafeteria. Overnight campers will also have breakfast and dinner provided, beginning with dinner on Sunday, July 14th and ending with lunch on Friday, July 19th. The McMurry cafeteria provides a wide variety of healthy options at each meal.

No. Once students arrive in the morning, they are restricted to campus until the end of the day. Students may bring their lunch, but may NOT leave campus. Overnight campers are to remain on campus for the duration of camp.

Each student chooses two elective classes and should pick what interests them. These classes are designed to explore interesting things about music or help students improve in important skill areas.

Jazz Improvisation - This class gives beginning jazz students the foundations for successful improvisation. No experience is necessary and all melodic instruments are welcome (Sorry, snare drummers! You'll be required to play mallet percussion in this class!) This class is taught by McMurry University Jazz Director, Dr. Mark Wilcox.
Jazz Band - Designed for the more advanced jazz player, this audition-only group will rehearse once a day. Participants will explore more difficult literature, have the opportunity to jam with lifetime musicians and perform at the capstone concert on Friday, July 19, 2013.
Marching Fundamentals - Students will learn the basics of marching technique. Adaptable to the specific marching style of their marching bands at home, these fundamentals are a great way to get a head start on the fall season. Advanced marchers will also benefit from this class as a way to get back into the "groove" of the field.
Music Appreciation - This class is for students who are curious about different kinds of music, what it sounds like, and where it is performed. They will listen to a wide variety of music from all over the world, and will hopefully return home with a much broader appreciation of how to enjoy different kinds of music.
Music Theory - This class is for students who are curious about how music is "put together." Students will learn about chords, scales, and other elements composers use to write a piece of music. Students are divided into high school and middle school sections.
Sightreading Class - Separated into high school and middle school sections, this class will help you improve your ability to read a piece of music correctly the first time!
Conducting - Taught by a professional conductor, this class will help you develop the skills necessary to stand in front of any group and lead them to great music-making!
Chamber Music - Students will be placed into small woodwind and brass chamber groups, then tackle literature quite different from the large ensembles, and have the opportunity to perform at the end of the week.
The SCIENCE of Music - Taught by a member of the McMurry Science Department faculty, this class will explore the physics of music and how sound interacts with the world around it.

Yes. Please click HERE for the scholarship application. All scholarship materials are due in the office by June 7, 2013 at 5pm. Any scholarship applications recieved after that date will not be reviewed.

Welcome to the Summer 2013 Band Camps!

featuring guest clinicians