Concert Band rehearsals are directed by top band directors from middle schools, high schools and colleges in Northern California. Rehearsals run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm with several breaks, including lunch. Campers sight read approximately 80 pieces of music throughout the week. During the last two days of rehearsals, bands will focus on selections of music that they will perform for the end-of-week concert. Counselors and band directors sit in rehearsals with campers to give them one-on-one instruction when needed.
Auditions take place on Sunday afternoon shortly after check-in. While auditions are used to place campers by chair, they are intended to be non-competitive and used to place campers within their respective sections. For more information about auditions, please visit the auditions section.
Jazz ensemble meets in the evening after dinner and before campfire. It is an optional activity that campers can choose to participate in. Jazz Ensemble offers opportunities for campers to learn and expand their knowledge of improvisation. Like the concert bands, the jazz ensembles will sight read music for the first half of the week and will then focus on several pieces for the Saturday concert.
Campers who are entering their senior year of high school or have just graduated are encouraged to participate in the Counselor In Training (CIT) program. CITs have the opportunity to see first-hand what it takes to be a counselor.
In fact, being a CIT is the only way to become a counselor. Each year the CITs that are the best fit for camp are selected to return to join the counseling team.
CITs help counselors rove camp, facilitate activities, check cabins and are role models to younger campers. CITs also work together to accomplish goals, put on their own campfire, and learn what it means to be a team.
Although CITs are never fully responsible for campers, they will learn how to take on a leadership role and see camp life from a different perspective. Under the supervision of counselors, they will be asked to help in many situations and will be given varied tasks to perform. Staff and counselors will be there to guide and teach CITs throughout the process.
This is a meaningful program with many benefits for everyone involved. At the end of the week, CITs will gain lifelong skills in leadership, communication, initiative, responsibility, and teamwork–which will serve them in whatever they choose to do.
If your camper is eligible to be a CIT, please sign them up when registering. CITs usually arrive at camp one day early to start training. We will email more information to those who register as CITs in mid-June. Please contact us with any additional questions.