MEF BAND CAMP 2025: SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 9-13, 2025
More information will be available in the fall.
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 for Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble campers and 2:00-6:15pm for Concert Band campers. The free camp concert will be held in the TCA Theater from 4-6pm.
Camp is open to students entering 7th grade in Fall 2024 through graduating seniors spring 2024. Registrations are accepted until June 10, space permitting.
Camp tuition is $370.
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 college freshman in fall 2024. There is a separate online application for the HSLT on the menu bar under Band Camp.
The camp has three large ensembles. Online ensemble placement audition music/instructions was mailed to registered students on May 7th. Audition recordings are due May 28. Please contact Carol Mellis, cmellis@musicianenrichmentfoundation.org if you have any questions or need an audition submission extension past May 28th.
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
Bass Clarinet Instructor: Dr. Stefanie Gardner, Glendale Community College
Bassoon Instructor: Dr. Joseph Kluesener, Chandler-Gilbert and Scottsdale Community Colleges
Alto Saxophone Instructor: Dr. Bonson Lee, Glendale Community College; Ottawa University, Campo Verde High School.
Low Saxophone Instructor: Jade Deatherage, ASU Teaching Assistant
Trumpet Instructor: Emery Harvison, Auburn University
Horn Instructor: Alex Austin, Chandler-Gilbert and Scottsdale Community Colleges
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
Music Composition: Dr. Jody Rockmaker, ASU
Instrumental Conducting: Dr. Jamal Duncan. ASU
Sight Reading Success for Woodwinds: Tracy Werner, Kyrene Aprende Middle School
Sight Reading Success for Brass: Alex Austin, Chandler-Gilbert and Scottsdale Community Colleges
Sight Reading Success for Percussion: Ian Gryzb, Kyrene Centennial Middle School
Cobra Ensemble and Jazz Combo: Eric Rasmussen, Scottsdale Community College
Theater Games: Natalie Trelstad, Roadrunner Elementary School
Cartoon Art: Michael De Alba, Marcos de Niza High School
Rhythm and Pitch, Introduction to Music Theory: Dr. Spencer Arias, ASU
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.”