MEF Band Camp, June 11-15, 2024.
This project is partially funded by a City of Tempe - Community Arts Grant
Online registration is currently open.
Please note - The 2024 MEF Band Camp is held Tuesday-Saturday, June 11-15 to accommodate the Saturday, June 15, camp concert at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
There are NO REFUNDS available for MEF Band Camp deposits or tuition paid.
Tuesday-Friday, June 11-14, camp will be held at McClintock HS, 1830 E. Del Rio Dr., Tempe, 85282 from 8:30am-3:30pm. High school campers selected by ensemble placement audition for Honor Chamber Ensembles will have an extended camp day until 4:30pm, Tuesday-Friday. Middle school campers selected by ensemble placement audition will arrive at 8:00am for Middle School Chamber Ensemble rehearsals Wednesday-Friday, 8:05-8:30am.
Saturday, June 15, dress rehearsal and camp concert will be held in the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, 85281. Camper hours on Saturday are 12:15-6:15pm. The free camp concert will be held in the TCA Theater from 4-6pm.
Camp is open to students entering 7th grade through college freshman in Fall 2024.
Camp Tuition is $350. Late registration tuition, after May 15, 2024, is $370. Discounts are available for early registration, by March 1, and there is limited financial assistance.
High School Leadership Team (HSLT) Tuition is $150 total. The full payment is due within 2 weeks of acceptance. HSLT is open to exceptional students entering 11th grade, 12th grade or college freshman in fall 2024. There is a separate online application for the HSLT on the menu bar under Band Camp.
Fifteen Tempe residents will receive Tempe Financial Assistance Tuition Rate of only $50 and five Tempe residents will receive Tempe Financial Assistance Tuition Rate of only $200. MEF thanks the City of Tempe for the $8,000 grant award for MEF Band Camp 2024.
Limited reduced tuition is available for residents of any city who would otherwise not be able to attend the camp. Financial need can be indicated on the online camp application. A camp representative will contact the parent/guardian after the application, with financial need indicated, has been submitted.
The camp has three large ensembles. Online ensemble placement audition music/instructions will be emailed to camper families in late spring 2024.
Wind Ensemble: A one/two on a part ensemble designed for exceptional high school students and graduated seniors 2024.
Symphonic Band: A full band designed for high school level musicians. Exceptional middle school musicians may be accepted into Symphonic Band.
Concert Band: A full band designed for middle school musicians.
Some campers will be selected by their ensemble placement audition to participate in the High School Honor Chamber Ensembles (rehearses 3:30-4:30pm Tuesday-Friday) or the Middle School Chamber Ensembles (rehearses 8:05-8:30am Wednesday-Friday).
CAMP STAFF:
Camp Artistic Director: Carol Mellis, MEF Executive Director, Scottsdale Community College
Administrative Assistant: Joe Beringer, MEF Vice-President
Assistant Director: Philip Lemar, Connolly Middle School
Site Coordinator: Amanda Leonhardt, McClintock High School
Wind Ensemble Director: Dr. Jamal Duncan, ASU
Symphonic Band Director: David DuPlessis, Corona del Sol High School
Concert Band Director: Arlie DuPlessis, Kyrene Pueblo Middle School
Flute Instructor: Tracy Werner, Kyrene Aprende Middle School
Oboe Instructor: Dr. Maja Dinger, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Yavapai Community Colleges
Clarinet Instructor: Dr. Joshua Gardner, ASU
Bassoon Instructor: Dr. Joseph Kluesener, Chandler-Gilbert and Scottsdale Community Colleges
Saxophone Instructor: Eric Rasmussen, Scottsdale Community College
Low Reeds Instructor: Dr. Stefanie Gardner, Glendale Community College
Trumpet Instructor: Emery Harvison, Auburn University
Horn Instructor: Gabriel Kovach, Phoenix Symphony
Trombone Instructor: Dr. Jason Malloy, Gilbert Public Schools
Euphonium Instructor: Brian Wilson, Summit Academy
Tuba Instructor: Dr. Deanna Swoboda, ASU
Percussion Instructor: Ian Grzyb, Kyrene Centennial Middle School
Percussion Instructor: Steve Fitch, Phoenix Symphony
Hear from Previous Campers:
“I loved all the staff and I love my band teacher who is really nice. I would come here any day.”
“My favorite musical activity was sectionals because it was fun to work with a professional of my instrument.”
“I would come back and recommend this to many friends that are in band. It is a fun experience.”
“I learned how to stop being self conscious about my performances and to properly direct my focus to producing a quality sound.”
“This was a great way to meet new people that also enjoy music.”
“I grew as a musician because now I can play rhythms I wasn’t able to play before and I can take longer amounts of measures before breathing.”
“I learned new cool things in sectionals and the music challenged me to be a better player.”
“I liked masterclass because we could learn about other instruments and about musical pieces.”