A record 46 high school students from throughout Iowa and the Midwest will perform at the 17th annual Wartburg College Band Camp Concert Saturday, July 27, at 2 p.m.
The students have been rehearsing all week under the guidance of Dr. Craig Hancock, director of the Wartburg College bands, and 14 Wartburg students and graduates. The concert in McCaskey Lyceum is free and open to the public.
“This camp came about for two very specific reasons,” said Hancock, a professor of music. “High school students need to learn total musicianship, and the staff needed a continuing challenge to be teachers, not just band directors.”
Traditional camp courses include music theory, conducting, musical theatre, and performing in chamber ensembles and a jazz band. A world drumming class was added this year with instruction in Taiko and steel drums. All students are required to learn a second instrument.