Dulles Area Summer Band Camp

Dulles Area Summer Band Camp is a one-week, half-day band intensive for beginners. Enjoy the camaraderie and cooperation of making music with others while using the summer to build skills and boost confidence with your band instrument. Dulles Area Summer Band Camp is under the direction of Jessica Eastridge who is supported by experienced instrument specialists from across northern Virginia. This camp is a beginner program (fewer than 6 months experience with their instrument.)

Dulles Area Summer Band Camp will emphasize musicianship highlighted by fun summer traditions such as ice-breaker games, a daily team-building activity, themed spirit days, a mid-week concert by band professionals, an end-of-week ice cream party, and a showcase for parents.

Dates: July 29 – August 2, 2024

Hours: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: 520 Herndon Parkway, Suite D, Herndon, VA 20170

Cost:

  • Early Registration (March 1 – June 1) $269.00
  • Regular Registration (June 2 – July 26) $299.00

What is Included:

Students will receive 5 mornings of instruction, music book, sheet music music folder, pencil, name tag, and camp t-shirt*. Group and individual photographs will be available for an additional fee. (Registrations after July 19 are not guaranteed a t-shirt.)

Tentative Schedule:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

  • 9:00 am- 9:50 am – Session 1: Instrument Family Sectionals
  • 9:50 am- 10:00 am – Morning Break/Snack
  • 10:00 am- 10:50 am – Session 2: Full Band
  • 10:50 am- 11:10 am – Team Building Activity
  • 11:10 am- 12:00 pm – Session 3: Instrument Family Sectionals

Wednesday: Same, except:

  • 10:50 am- 11:15 am…Concert by US Army Band
  • 11:15 am- 12:00 pm…Session 3: Full band practice

Friday: Same, except:

  • 12:00 pm – 12:20 pm…Parent Showcase
  • 12:20 pm- 12:24 pm…Photos and Ice Cream Social

Clinic Curriculum:

Percussion students will learn to play the snare drum and mallet instruments (such as glockenspiel, xylophone, chimes). They will learn proper stick and mallet grip, posture, and playing position for concert percussion instrumentals. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors) on mallet instruments. Students will practice audiation skills by singing, moving, and playing percussion instruments and will play both cooperatively in small ensembles and independently.

Woodwinds students will learn to play the flute or clarinet (4th-8th grade) or alto saxophone (7th-8th grade only). They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors). Students will practice audiation skills by singing, moving, and playing woodwind instruments and will play both cooperatively in small ensembles and independently.

Brass students will learn to play the trumpet or trombone (4th-8th grade) and French horn, euphonium, or tuba (7th-8th grade students only). They will learn how to hold their instruments with proper posture and hand position and correct embouchure (mouth position and blowing technique) for the instrument. Students will receive instruction on the parts of their instruments and how to safely, correctly, and independently assemble and clean them. Students will learn the fundamentals of music reading, and the group will practice short songs in Concert B-flat and Concert E-flat major (and their relative minors). Students will practice audiation skills by singing, moving, and playing woodwind instruments and will play both cooperatively in small ensembles and independently.

What to Bring:

Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument and accessories for the spring clinic. See the attached list by instrument. Students should arrive with a tuned, serviced instrument, case, and accessories. On the first day of clinic, a representative from Music & Arts will be on hand to sell miscellaneous supplies and materials such as reeds, grease, etc. from 9:00 am – 10:30 am.