Middle School Concert Band
The Middle School Concert Band Camp at the Music for All Summer Symposium offers a week-long, immersive camp experience for middle school band students. Students will spend a fun and inspiring week with renowned teachers, exciting artists, and fellow campers from across the country. Designed from the ground up with the middle school student in mind, students will grow as both musicians and individuals. Their experience will be positively life-changing!
The Middle School Concert Band Camp is designed for students entering 7th or 8th grade, with at least one year of performance experience on their instrument.
Highlights include:
- Featured Conductor: Margurite Wilder – Executive Director, The Feierabend Association for Music Education, IL
- Featured Conductor: Robert Tyrome Herrings, III – Henry M.S., TX
- Robert W. Smith, Composer-in-Residence
- Professional, student-centered faculty
- Student interaction with composer-in-residence
- Separate dining/dorm facilities for MS students
- 24-hour supervision by counselors/SWAG Team*
- Low student-to-counselor ratio
- A positive, caring environment to meet the needs of the middle school student
- Two FREE camp t-shirts for every student
Parents
Our Middle School Camp coordinators Keith Ozsvath and Greg Scapillato live the mission every day, as middle school band directors and, themselves, parents. We know you are looking for a safe environment for your child, with exceptional teaching from distinguished faculty. You also are looking for value. The Music for All Summer Symposium provides lodging, meals, tuition, materials, teachers, and concerts for a reasonable cost that is far exceeded in value and impact.
*The SWAG Team members are the Music for All camp’s counselors, teaching assistants, and superheroes. They are selected by vigorous application process, undergo a background check, and carry forward the 35-year tradition of ensuring safe, positively life-changing experiences for campers.
Onsite Placement Hearing
Placement General Information
All Middle School campers will have an on-site placement hearing for ensemble and chair determination on Monday, June 22 from 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The placement hearing will take approximately 10 minutes per student and will help us as teachers to provide you with the best experience possible.
Placement hearings will consist of two scales, and an etude. The second scale can be performed as a one- or two-octave scale; whichever you prefer is fine. Perform each scale at a tempo that allows you to maintain steady pulse and play with your best note accuracy. A goal tempo is indicated for the etude. You should strive for this tempo, while remembering that note and rhythm accuracy are most important. Perform the etude at a tempo that will allow you to perform the music with the most accuracy.
Placement Hearing Parts by Instrument
Join Us!
for the 2020 Music for All Summer Symposium
June 22-27, 2020
Leadership Weekend: June 20-21
Ball State University
Packing List
All students, regardless of division, should
bring the following items:
- Comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes for walking around campus
- Sweatshirt or light jacket for cooler weather
- Rain gear for inclement weather (jacket, poncho, or umbrella)
- Personal toiletries (bath soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, etc.
- Towels and washcloths. Sheets, pillow, pillowcases, and blanket are provided by Ball State Housing
- Sunglasses, hat, water bottle, and SUNSCREEN
- Backpack, a spiral notebook, and pens/pencils
Optional: money or debit card for incidental purchases such
as souvenirs, snacks, etc. $50-$80 recommended.
In addition to the basic items listed, middle school participants should bring the following:
- Your instrument and fold up music stand marked with your name, address and school. Percussionists will only need to bring a stick bag with snare drum sticks, timpani mallets, and keyboard mallets.
- Any necessary supplies or accessories, such as reeds, neck straps, valve oil, etc. Muncie Music Center will be on campus during the week should you need to purchase supplies.
- Comfortable attire – shorts, jeans & t-shirts – are appropriate for the Camp week. Please note that you will be in air conditioning for the majority of your day (no clothing with inappropriate/offensive language)
- Middle School campers will wear their issued Summer Symposium t-shirts as a “uniform” throughout the week. Each student will receive two t-shirts at registration and camp staff will launder the students’ shirts every other day.
Final Performance Attire
- Summer Symposium t-shirt (provided)
- Full-length, black dress pants (no leggings, please)
- Black socks and dress shoes
Middle School Faculty
Scott Brown
Percussion Coordinator
Dickerson M.S.
Marietta, GA
Robert Herrings, III
Conductor
Henry M.S.
Cedar Park, TX
Andrew Hunter
Conductor’s Assistant
Wauconda M.S.
Wauconda, IL
Mike Lynch
Percussion Assistant
Simpson M.S., retired
Marietta, GA
Keith Ozsvath
Division Coordinator
Batavia, IL
Band Director, Rotolo MS
Sherry Reiss
Conductor’s Assistant
Rotolo M.S.
Batavia, IL
Greg Scapillato
Division Coordinator
Northbrook, IL
Band Director, Northbrook Jr. High
Marguerite Wilder
Conductor
Executive Director
The Feierabend Association for Music Education
Photos from Camp!
Parent/Booster Institute
Music for All’s parent/booster training and advocacy programs and resources are key elements in Music for All’s vision to be a catalyst to ensure that every child across America has the opportunity and access to participate in music making in his or her scholastic environment.
What Should Your Child Bring?
June weather in Indiana is often unpredictable. Historical averages for this area range from 60°F-90°F and often include high humidity. Please keep that in mind when packing for camp.
Staying in Touch with your Student
The Music for All Headquarters staff is unable to receive and deliver messages to students by phone, unless an emergency requires immediately delivery. If you wish to speak with your child during the week, plan your calling schedule before your child leaves home.
Supervision and Health Info
Your child’s safety is our utmost priority. While at camp, your child is required to attend all classes, meals, concerts, and nightly floor meetings, where attendance is taken.