MEF BAND CAMP: JUNE 9-13, 2025
This project is partially funded by a City of Tempe - Community Arts Grant
Returning Camper Early Registration is open.
Monday-Thursday, June 9-12, camp will be held in Marcos de Niza High School, 6000 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe from 8:30am-3:30pm. Friday, June 13, camp hours at Marcos de Niza High School will be 9:30am-6:00pm. (Campers may arrive at 8:30am if necessary). The free camp culminating concert will be held in the newly remodeled, spacious Marcos de Niza HS Auditorium on Friday, June 13 from 4:00-6:00pm.
High school campers selected by recorded ensemble placement auditions for High School Honor Chamber Ensembles will have an extended camp day until 4:30pm, Monday-Thursday. Middle school campers selected by recorded ensemble placement auditions will arrive at 8:00am for Middle School Chamber Ensemble rehearsals Tuesday-Thursday, 8:05-8:30am.
Camp is open to students entering 7th grade in Fall 2025 through graduating seniors spring 2025. Registrations are accepted until June 2, space permitting.
Camp Tuition is paid on this website. Please click on "Payment” on the right side of the menu bar. If you prefer to pay by check, please mail payment to: MEF, 435 W. Rio Salado Pkwy #337, Tempe, AZ, 85281. Thank you!
Returning Camper Early Tuition - $330 (if $50 deposit is paid by January 15 and remaining $280 is paid by March 1)
Early Camper Tuition - $350 (for returning or new campers if paid by March 15)
Full Camp Tuition - $370 (if paid by May 1)
Late Tuition - $390 (space permitting, if paid after May 1)
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.
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 graduated 2025 seniors. There is a separate online application for the HSLT on the menu bar under Band Camp.
The camp will have three or four large ensembles. Online ensemble placement audition music/instructions will be emailed to registered campers by April 28, 2025. Audition recordings are due May 19, 2025. Campers requiring an audition extension should contact Carol Mellis, cmellis@musicianenrichmentfoundation.org.
Wind Ensemble: A one/two on a part ensemble designed for exceptional high school musicians and graduated seniors 2025.
Symphonic Band: A full band designed for high school level musicians. Exceptional middle school musicians may be accepted into Symphonic Band.
Middle School Honor Band: A full band designed for advanced middle school musicians.
Concert Band: A band ensemble 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 Monday-Thursday) or the Middle School Chamber Ensembles (rehearses 8:05-8:30am Tuesday-Thursday).
CAMP STAFF:
Camp Artistic Director: Carol Mellis, MEF Executive Director; Scottsdale Community College
Administrative Assistant: Joe Beringer, MEF Vice-President
Office Assistant: Jessica Bondy, MEF
Site Coordinator: David Willers, Marcos de Niza High School
Wind Ensemble Director: Dr. Jamal Duncan, ASU
Symphonic Band Director: David DuPlessis, Corona del Sol High School
Middle School Honor Band Director: Arlie DuPlessis, Kyrene Pueblo Middle School
Concert Band Director: Philip Lemar, Connolly Middle School
Sectional and Electives instructors will be listed here in early 2025.
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.”