NOTE: Due to uncertainty over the novel coronavirus, please check back frequently for updates in case the camp is delayed, modified or canceled.
Open to middle school and high school students, Summer Band Camp at St. Mary’s University is a fun and educational opportunity for students passionate about music to advance their musicianship during their summer break. Students will work with industry professionals to produce a high-quality final performance.
Operating on the beautiful St. Mary’s campus, the camp offers participants a full day of rehearsals, sectionals, technique classes, and elective classes. Students learn from top teachers and musicians about their specific instruments.
Camp Dates: June 8-13, 2020
Summer Band Camp Services
Full Band Rehearsals
During rehearsals, students will work with Matthew Mireles, D.M.A., Chair and Assistant Professor of Music, and Director of Bands at St. Mary’s, and learn important skills involved with making high-quality music in a collaborative ensemble.
Technique Classes
Technique classes will be taught by top teachers and musicians and will involve the advancement of student abilities on their instruments. Fundamentals taught include musicality, technique, posture, breathing, articulation, intonation, warm-ups and more.
Ensemble Sectionals
Sectionals provide students the opportunity to focus on intonation, pitch and rhythmic accuracy, style, and other details while working on music programmed for the camp concert.
Elective Classes
Elective classes are designed to afford participants a new skill, experience, or lesson. Every student will participate in an elective class of their choice. Each course will take place over a period of four days, with the aim of producing a final project on the final day of class. Elective classes allow students to leave camp with a great learning experience and something tangible to keep when they leave.
Elective Class Options
- Brass Ensemble
- Composition
- Conducting
- Drum Major Techniques
- Improvisation
- Introduction to Piano
- Jazz Band
- Leadership Fundamentals
- Percussion Ensemble
- Sight Reading/Ear Training
Solo Competition
The Solo Competition is open to all brass and woodwind instruments. The winner of the competition will receive a $150 discount to the 2020 Summer Band Camp at St. Mary’s University and will have the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist in front of the San Antonio Brass Band at the Summer Band Camp Opening Monday Concert.
Contact Us
For more information about the St. Mary’s University Summer Band Camp, contact Matthew Mireles, D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands.
