Camp Descriptions

CONCERT BAND CAMP

Concert Band Camp is designed for students who wish to gain experience in the concert ensemble setting.  Participants will have an opportunity to work on a variety of wind band literature, from contemporary works to traditional concert band literature, work with JMU School of Music faculty and guest artists in sectionals and master classes, and ultimately prepare a concert for the conclusion of camp.

Concert Band Camp participants will work with JMU Director of Bands, Dr. Stephen Bolstad, members of the School of Music Applied Faculty, upperclassmen music education and performance majors, and other guest clinicians over the course of the week.

The Concert Band Camp will rehearse in the Music Building and the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts.

All students with instrumental experience are welcome to participate in this camp. Low-stress placement auditions will take place on the first day of camp to determine seating and band placement. This camp is perfect for aspiring music majors, as well as any student who is seeking to grow their individual musicianship or gain additional large ensemble playing opportunities.

MARCHING BAND CAMP

Marching Band Camp is designed for aspiring student leaders who wish to gain experience on the marching field.  This curriculum is designed to provide an accelerated marching band experience, as participants learn and prepare an entire marching band show including memorizing music, drill, body moves, and choreography. This camp also helps prepare young leaders with a variety of teaching techniques to assist with teaching music and marching when they return to their own band programs.

Marching Band Camp participants will work with Marching Royal Dukes Director Mr. Scott Rikkers, members of the Marching Royal Dukes student leadership team, and a variety of other guest clinicians - many of which are Marching Royal Dukes Alumni and accomplished band directors and music educators.

The Marching Band Camp will rehearse at various outdoor locations on campus, with their primary rehearsal space being Bridgeforth Stadium.

While previous marching band experience is recommended, all participants will begin learning marching fundamentals the first day of camp. Any motivated camper is welcome to experience marching band for the first time at JMU SBC. This camp is perfect for aspiring section leaders, as well as any student who just loves marching band and a fast-paced, process-driven learning environment.

DRUM MAJOR CAMP

Drum Major Camp is designed for current drum majors or individuals interesting in developing their leadership skills both on and off the podium.  The curriculum for this camp focuses on a service-based approach to leadership, through which students explore various aspects of being a drum major including: teamwork, marching techniques and fundamentals, calling commands, saluting, score study, and conducting. Participants will also explore a variety of teaching techniques to assist with teaching music and marching when they return to their own band programs.

Drum Major Camp participants will work with a variety of esteemed music educators and former Marching Royal Dukes Drum Majors, as well as members of the current MRD Drum Major team over the course of the week.

The Drum Major Camp will have sessions in a variety of both indoor and outdoor locations around The Festival Conference Center and East Campus Fields.

This camp is a great fit for students who have been chosen for a leadership position within their band, as well as students who are interested in pursuing leadership opportunities in the future.

DRUMLINE

All drumline students should apply for this camp. All drumline campers will have a brief audition on the first evening of camp to help place students in one of several drumlines based on similarities of skill development. The audition will consist of the music posted on the website as well as a brief call and response playing audition. Snares and tenors should be comfortable playing fast rudimental rolls both duple and triple based, paradiddle-diddles, and be very quick at memorizing music. Bass drums should be ready to play multiple splits parts, fast rudimental rolls both duple and triple based, as well as a quick group playing audition.  Those students who do not earn a spot on the snareline or the tenorline may be asked to play bass drum to fill the battery.

Students interested in applying for the “Varsity Drumline” (the drumline which performs with the Marching Band Camp) should still sign up for Drumline Camp, but must also submit a video audition. Information on the audition process can be found below.

Drumline Camp participants will work with Marching Royal Dukes Drumline Instructors and members of the MRD Drumline’s student leadership team, as well as other percussionist and guest clinicians. Rehearsals will take place primarily outdoors, primarily at Bridgeforth Stadium.

This camp is a great fit for students who play marching percussion instruments, who are interested in gaining additional experience.

Students need to provide their own drums, stands and harnesses (with the exemption of Varsity Drumline).

COLORGUARD & WEAPON CAMP

Colorguard & Weapon Camp is designed for students of all abilities and skill levels from beginners to advanced spinners.  The curriculum for this camp utilizes both large-group and small-group sessions to help achieve a variety of instructional goals. Large-group sessions will focus on big-picture concepts including warm-up techniques, basic spinning, and body and movement techniques, while small-group sessions will be utilized for more individualized instruction based on students previous experience and skill level.

Participants in the Colorguard & Weapon Camp will be divided into smaller performing ensembles according to previous experience and skill level in order to provide the most concise and individualized training possible. Each of these ensembles will work on basic technique and choreography both with and without equipment, and will produce a routine to be performed at the camp’s final performance.  

Colorguard & Weapon Camp participants will work with Marching Royal Dukes Colorguard and Nuance Winterguard Instructors, members of the MRD Colorguard’s student leadership team, members of Nuance Winterguard, as well as other Guard Instructors, WGI adjudicators, and guest clinicians.

The Colorguard & Weapon Camp will have sessions primarily outdoors utilizing space on the East Campus Fields. Advanced Guard Camp participants will rehearse primarily at Bridgeforth Stadium.

In addition to flag technique, there will be a weapon component for individuals who are interested in focusing on rifle and/or saber over the course of the week. Participants who are interested in focusing on rifle and/or saber, should inform the counselors/instructors on the first day of camp.