Director of Bands, Wando H.S. (SC)
Bands of America
Leadership Weekend
Unleash Your Leadership Potential!
Leadership Weekend is a high-energy, hands-on experience where student leaders of all levels come to reach beyond and unlock their full potential. Through interactive sessions, team-building activities, and real-world leadership challenges, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to inspire others—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond. Whether you’re just beginning your leadership journey or ready to take it to the next level, this is where you make it happen!
June 21-23, 2025 – Leadership Weekend
June 23-28, 2025 – Full Week Symposium
Ball State University, Muncie, IN
For Students
Join student leaders from across the nation for an unforgettable Leadership Weekend Experience, designed for musicians of all levels. Dive into an interactive leadership lab, featuring large-group, small-group, and hands-on sessions that bring leadership concepts to life.
You can choose to attend Leadership Weekend only for a focused two-day leadership experience, or pair it with the full week of Bands of America Summer Camp, where you can step into leadership roles within the camp’s six student divisions. If you decide to skip Leadership Weekend and attend only the weeklong camp, don’t worry—leadership development is integrated throughout the entire week to help you grow as a confident and impactful leader.
Discover why Bands of America develops more leaders than any other camp in music education. At BOA Summer Camp, you’ll not only learn how to lead others but also how to turn ideas into action and make a real impact.
For Parents
Research shows that pre-college leadership experiences help students thrive in college and beyond. Give your student the chance to build life-changing leadership skills at the Leadership Weekend Experience.
No title or prior experience is needed—any student with a passion for making an impact is welcome. Invest in their future and watch them grow into the confident, capable leaders they were meant to be.
For Students
Join student leaders from across the nation for an unforgettable Leadership Weekend Experience, designed for musicians of all levels. Dive into an interactive leadership lab, featuring large-group, small-group, and hands-on sessions that bring leadership concepts to life.
You can choose to attend Leadership Weekend only for a focused two-day leadership experience, or pair it with the full week of Bands of America Summer Camp, where you can step into leadership roles within the camp’s six student divisions. If you decide to skip Leadership Weekend and attend only the weeklong camp, don’t worry—leadership development is integrated throughout the entire week to help you grow as a confident and impactful leader.
Discover why Bands of America develops more leaders than any other camp in music education. At BOA Summer Camp, you’ll not only learn how to lead others but also how to turn ideas into action and make a real impact.
A Day at Leadership Weekend
- Expert-Led Sessions – Dive into seven dynamic sessions over two days, led by top leadership experts from across the country.
- Team Building in Small Groups – Collaborate with small teams to develop communication, awareness, and organizational skills in a hands-on setting.
- Diverse Perspectives – Learn from an incredible lineup of faculty members, each bringing unique experiences and proven success in teaching leadership skills.
- Real-World Leadership Training – Put leadership into action! Work with horses to better understand body language and nonverbal communication, giving you tools to lead with confidence and awareness.
- A Jump Start to Leadership Success – Whether you’re continuing on to a full week at the BOA Summer Camp or exploring leadership for the first time, this weekend offers the perfect foundation with one of the most trusted names in the industry.
- Plenty of Fun! – Leadership Weekend isn’t all work—we’ve planned exciting activities to make sure you enjoy every moment.
2025 Leadership Weekend Faculty
Bobby Lambert
Division Coordinator
Sheldon Frazier
Doctoral Conducting Assistant, Northwestern University
Stephanie Grote
Band Director at Allatoona High School (GA)
Jerell Horton
Director of Bands, Vestavia Hills H.S. (AL)
Courtney Allyson Mills
Education Coach, Choreographer, and Performance Consultant
Koji Mori
Director of Orchestras at Harrison High School and Former Phantom Regiment Conductor
Jenny Stowers
Taylor Watts
Associate Director of Bands at Kell High School
What are students saying about the Leadership Weekend?
BOA Summer Camp has really helped me come out of my shell. I am not a very social person, and the leadership weekend especially helped me socialize and make good friends.
I think this is one of the best experiences I have ever had. Leadership Weekend gave me so much useful information I can bring back to my band.
The BOA Summer Camp taught me what it means to be a leader. It really motivated me to bring all of this to my band and empower my other members.
I learned how to show calm and non-defensive body language. Alongside that, I learned how my emotions and actions can reflect onto others. Learning how to teach other people is a big lesson for me.
I got to meet lots of other students and make great friends along the way with fun games and activities! This is why people should attend the Leadership Weekend.
I have never had such a powerful weekend in my life. The Leadership Weekend at the BOA Summer Camp changed my life and will continue to change my life.
I learned the true meaning of leadership, and friendship. I learned how to give the very best if myself to ever single member of my band that I will interact with for the next three years.
I met some of the most influential friends from around the country I could have ever asked for.
The music for all BOA Summer Camp was literally life changing, I made really amazing friends and I learned so many new ideas to bring back to my band at home.
This camp helped me improve my playing and marching ability. If you like music at all, APPLY FOR THIS CAMP.
I strongly recommend the leadership weekend, it was so much fun and way more than just group activities. I was the only person at the whole camp that was from Arkansas, but that didn’t matter.
I made so many amazing friends and met so many amazing people. You do not need to be a music major to attend this camp either, I highly recommend anyone to go.
Attending the Music for All BOA Summer Camp taught me so many leadership skills that helped me open up and learn more about myself.
