Summer Band Camp

Mini Band Camp

Mini-Camp is usually scheduled during the third week of June and will be held the week of June 17 in 2024.

Freshmen Mini Camp - (Freshmen, New Students, Section Leaders, and Drum Majors)

• Monday, June 17, 2024 - 6-8pm

  • Tuesday, June 18 - 6-8pm

Full Band Mini Camp - (All Marching Band Members)

• • Wednesday, June 21 - 6-8:30pm** 

    • Also Wednesday, June 21 - 6-7 pm -- Parents are invited to a "New & Refresher Band Parent Meeting" in the HS auditorium

  • Thursday, June 22 -  6-8:30pm

  • Friday, June 23 - 6-8:30pm

From the Marching Band Handbook:

Please notify Mr. Stevens in advance for scheduled conflicts with June Mini Camp rehearsals at mstevens@ms.k12.il.us Since parade and field show music as well as marching basics are taught during these rehearsals, it is important that students miss as few rehearsals as possible.

Band Camp

Band Camp takes place Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-12:30 pm and 5:00-8:30pm, plus time on Saturday, during one full week in late July/early August. (It is usually the week that includes August 1, but the specific dates are spelled out in the Marching Band Handbook posted to Google Classroom for students in late winter/early spring.) In 2024, Band Camp will be held July 29 - August 2 with photos on August 3.

Drumline and Color Guard members attend an additional full week of camp the week before full band camp (for 2024 this will be M-F July 22 - 26, starting at 9:00 am). Drumline has additional practices throughout the year - please be in contact with the drumline leaders if your student is a percussionist.

Attendance at Band Camp is absolutely required for participation in Marching Band.

Band camp is hot and long. Students should be prepared with the following:

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Water (most students bring small (2 quart) coolers of ice water)

• Sturdy athletic shoes

• Pen (for chart notes)

• Chart Book (handed out at band camp and the student’s responsibility thereafter)

Band Camp Snacks

Usually, the Music Booster parents provide simple, healthy snacks during each morning and evening session of band camp. Email requests for volunteers to serve and to provide this food will go out in July a couple of weeks before camp. 

Band Camp Meal and Parent Preview

During the Friday evening session, parents (and any other fans!) may come and watch to see all the students have learned during band camp. Following this unofficial performance, the students are served a simple dinner. Email requests for volunteers to bring food items will go out in July a couple of weeks before camp. 

Picture Day

Picture Day is the Saturday of band camp week. Photos will be used for Photo buttons and other band promotional items. If you have photography skills, please watch for the volunteer signup and help by being an official photographer volunteer during picture day.

Parents are welcome (and even encouraged) to come and take their own photos of their students and the band. Please be respectful of the photographers assigned to take the actual promotional photos.

Senior Banners

Photos are also taken during band camp Picture Day for Senior Banner photos. Senior Banners can be purchased by each senior family and will be hung during the football season along the fence in the end zone. Senior banners will be given to each family after the season ends. Purchase Senior Banners at the same time as Show Shirts and Photo Buttons with the Music Boosters online link during band camp week.