Wiley Band Camp

A Week of Musical Learning Especially for Wiley Band Students

Wiley Band Camp is offered each year for students in both Beginning and Continuing Bands at Wiley. Held the week before school starts, August 20-24, Band Camp is designed to give students the support they need to feel comfortable with their instruments before regular rehearsals begin. At Band Camp, students work both in small groups and as a full band to learn the basics of their instruments.

Why do we have Band Camp?

The beginning of a child's musical career is a busy time. There's an instrument to figure out, fingerings to learn, and new musical concepts to practice. Skills like instrument assembly, embouchure (mouth placement), and fingering are a necessary foundation for a child's success in beginning band. Band Camp provides beginning students with individualized instruction and frequent support to help them grasp these crucial skills.

For Continuing students, Band Camp provides an opportunity to recall and practice essential musical concepts, enjoy focused learning time with their instruments, and prepare for the heightened expectations of Continuing Band before the busy school year begins.

What will Beginners learn at Band Camp?

What will Continuing Band students learn at Band Camp?

At Band Camp, Continuing Band students will receive a thorough review of the skills and concepts they learned in Beginning Band, and will begin polishing their musical abilities to achieve higher levels of performance. They will work on sharpening their rhythmic skills, strengthening their tone and playing technique, and polishing their music reading skills in preparation for the demands of Continuing Band.

Do I have to come to Band Camp?

Yes! All band students at Wiley are required to attend Band Camp. The skills taught at Band Camp are vital for students' future success in band. When regular rehearsals begin, students will be expected to have an understanding of the concepts presented at Band Camp. Also, the cost of Band Camp is included in the band fee; when you attend, you get more bang for your buck!

How much does Band Camp cost?

Band Camp is included in the cost of joining the Wiley Band. There are NO extra charges for any Band Camp activities!

What's the schedule for Band Camp?

Wiley Band Camp is divided into two parts: sectionals (for beginners only) and full band rehearsals. In a sectional, a group of like instruments meets with a teacher to learn skills specific to that instrument. In a trombone sectional, all the beginner trombone students will work with Ms. Thompson on trombone-specific skills like slide techinque and breath control. Sectionals will be held during the first three days of Band Camp and are for Beginning Band students only.

During the last two days of band camp, we'll have full-band rehearsals for both Beginning and Continuing Band students. In full-band rehearsals, students will get a chance to meet their new friends in other sections and play together as a band. Full-band rehearsals help Beginners solidify and share the knowledge they learned in sectionals, and give Continuing students a thorough review and extension of their existing musical skills.

Sectionals - Monday, August 20 - Wednesday, August 22 (Beginners Only)
Flutes meet 9:00-9:45am
Clarinets and Saxes meet 10:15-11:00am
Percussionists meet 11:30-12:15pm
Trumpets meet 12:30-1:15pm
Trombones meet 1:30-2:15pm

Thursday, August 23 & Friday, August 24 (For all students)
Full Band Rehearsals for all Beginning Band students: 10-11am
Full Band Rehearsals for all Continuing Band students: 12-1pm

What should I bring to Band Camp?

Need more info about Band Camp?

Check out the Wiley Band Handbook
Email Ms. Thompson