Lessons, Camps, and Local Youth Ensembles

Honor Groups

There are a variety of honor band events that happen throughout the year. This list is not complete. Audition materials should be available at their website. 

WIBC includes students from all across the world. You'll get to work with famous conductors and composers. There are four different bands and lots of different audition options. 

All State includes multiple levels of bands, orchestras, and choirs. There are different audition materials for different groups. The small school band auditions are similar to the symphonic band auditions at GHS. 

All Northwest (every other year) includes the best students from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. Auditions are competitive, but there are bands at multiple levels. Currently, Gladstone students are not being advised to audition for the All Northwest event for a variety of reasons. However, I will gladly submit your audition if you are interested. 

Music in May participation is decided by director nomination. Let me know if you're interested and we can discuss where you're at. 500 band, choir, and orchestra musicians play together for three days culminating in an afternoon concert. There is an audition once you get to the event, if you're accepted. 

Private Lessons

Private lessons offer individualized instruction for students based on their goals, preferences, and ability levels. 

Students in Gladstone typically get the privelage of working with insturment specialists periodically during class. The majority of those teachers also offer private lessons. Reach out to Mr. Arnold (arnolds@gladstone.k12.or.us) if you'd like to contact them about lessons. 

This list of online teachers are in Oregon and offer lessons through online video calls. Find a teacher for your specific instrument and contact them for more information.

Wally's Music Shop offers lessons on location for an affordable price.  They also have the contact information for all of the professional players and teachers in the area.

Canby Music Shop also offers lessons on location for an affordable price. Check the website for specifics.

Peer Mentor Program is offered through the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Students receive extremely cheap or free lessons from high school students who have received lessons from professionals for multiple years. 

Youth Music Project offers reduced rates for students in need. It provides many performance opportunities for a variety of instruments. Check the website for more information.

Local colleges, such as Clackamas Community College, may be able to provide information for more affordable, and less experienced, student instructors. Email Mr. Arnold for that information. 

YouTube Teachers are a free resource for learning about music. Some teachers are better than others, but there is a lot of great information out there for you. The link contains a playlist with just a few examples. Try searching for the specific lessons you are looking for (e.g. "beginner flute lessons" or "clarinet tone improvement"). Note: anyone can post or comment on YouTube. Some language and subject matter may not be appropriate for students of all ages. 

Summer Camps

Northwest Band Camps combine recreation and education in a powerful way. Hundreds of kids every year go to this camp and continue to return the following years.

East Winds Band Camp is an affordable option that does not include the overnight portion like some other camps do. The musicians meet and rehearse at Mt. Hood Community College. 

Clackamas Community College has multiple summer camps they offer on campus that are not overnight. Cheap, easy, and fun!

Bridge City Youth Band Summer Camp is based in Portland and is a particularly affordable experience. It is an educational and fun-filled experience that includes multiple field trips and a group performance with the Portland Gay Symphonic Band. This camp is open to 9th-12th grade students of any sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Music Camps @ Wallowa Lake are brass and woodwind chamber ensemble camps led by Larry Johnson. The location is beautiful and the education is high quality.

Alan Keown Drum Camp is a week filled with intense learning, fun activities, and the making of new friends from throughout the west coast. Camp takes place at Camp Serene, a beautiful mountain retreat nestled in the woods 20 miles northwest of Eugene, Oregon. The camp is fully equipped with nice cabins, a lodge, full dining room, private lake, many hiking trails, and plenty of shady pines & grassy fields. 

Young Musicians and Artists is a unique camp held at Willamette University. Students choose classes with a variety of topics and stay for two weeks on campus. 

Portland State University Brass Academy is a brass-specific event with high-quality teachers. One week long with solo, ensemble, chamber ensemble, ear training, and more. 

Portland Summer Percussion Academy is a week-long intensive, but fun, educational experience for percussionists. 

Mel Brown Jazz Camp is a camp for students interested in playing jazz. This program has hosted some of the best teachers and performers from across the country.

Mt. Hood Community College Jazz Camp is nearby jazz-specific camp that does not include the overnight portion. 

Lionel Hampton Music Camp is a weeklong camp in Moscow, Idaho that specializes in brass, woodwind, piano, strings, percussion, and voice. Students receive one-on-one study and group classes with University faculty members. Includes fun nightly evening activities.

Summer Camps @ University of Oregon offer multiple camps for Jazz, Marching/Leadership, Strings, and Concert Band. Students get to stay in campus dorms and rehearse in the wonderful facilities at the U of O. 

Brass Quintet Camp @ Clackamas Community College features an affordable set of day camps focused on brass ensemble repertoire. Great opportunity close to home!

Local Youth Ensembles

Portland Youth Philharmonic is a program that offers a variety of bands and orchestras. Directors routinely clinic the Gladstone bands. See their website for more information. 

Metropolitan Youth Symphony is another program that offers a variety of bands and orchestras--including jazz ensembles. Directors routinely clinic the Gladstone bands. See their website for more information. 

Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra is a program that offers jazz education and performance opportunities for students of all ages and ability levels. See their website for more information.

Portland Jazz School is ran by trumpeter Derek Sims. Mr. Sims has worked with our jazz band multiple times and has a powerful impact on all of his students. Mr. Sims also offers private trumpet and piano lessons. See the website for more information.