Making Band Camp Meaningful

Have you ever heard the phrase, “it’s not what you said, it’s HOW you said it”? I think about this phrase all the time during the summer while I prep for my own band camp at Notre Dame College. The content (music/drill/artistry) is important! The people are important! People and content are the two aspects of what we do that really stick out to the everyday audience member. There’s a third aspect of what a band director does that can easily be missed by the ordinary eye: logistics. Now, logistics is kind of a vague overall term. What I’m really referring to is the coordination between resources and operations, and how that coordination impacts people and content. 

As you prepare your band camp, I encourage you see how you might apply the 3 P’s to your band camp.

The 3 P’s: People, Product, and Process 

Content, people, and logistics, or as I call them, “The 3 P’s: People, Product, Process” are all aspects of your band that are critical for a successful band camp, a successful season, and for long-term success on and off of the field. 

The marching season is fast approaching and band camp is on the horizon…how does a director make sure that camp is ready to be a success!?

1: PEOPLE—People always come first.
 

• A program should have clearly defined leadership, from staff to students. It should be clear to everyone who to go to for issues, concerns, ideas, etc. ALL members should always feel heard. Ultimately, leadership should SERVE its people. 
• Rookies should feel welcomed and supported. Pressure or hazing is never an acceptable way to treat your people. Rookies should feel safe, welcomed, supported, and excited! 
• Returning members should understand expectations and also feel supported. Many programs focus on leadership and rookies, but forget about the middle folks, the returnees, who usually make up 60% or more of the band! 
• Every program is unique and builds morale in different ways. What’s important is that a director is aware of how everyone works together and how everyone FEELS together. You need to know your people in order to be successful. 

2. PRODUCT—what the performers and audience experience.

• Every program is distinct! Do what is best for your individual program, every year at every moment. 
• Break down your content and make sure that you have all aspects of your performances covered: pregame, halftime, pep band, parade, etc. Everything that is done in band camp, from basics to advanced ensemble rehearsals, should funnel to a performance or learning goal. 
• Make sure you have your product ready by the time band camp starts! Make sure all music is ordered, drill is written, and any other pertinent materials are ready in time. 
• Be aware that in order for students to perform well, you must teach exceptionally! 

PROCESS (Logistics)—The behind-the-scenes details and preparations that make everything run smoothly.

While logistics are not the most forward-facing part of a band program, it is the element that can make or break a season. Without process (or logistics), the people and the product/show cannot shine. I’m going to break down an example of band camp logistics by diving into the checklist that I use for my own camp. All of these examples are in regard to band camp.

A special note: not every student appreciates when things are good, but they almost always know when it’s “bad”. Make sure your logistics and planning are coherent so your students don’t feel lost, confused, or upset because of “bad” logistics!

Band Camp Logistics Checklist

1. Schedule—set a band camp with reasonable hours and days. Do not burn out your students or staff. I’ve found that 12 hour days are a lot, but they can work with breaks. Here’s what I do at Notre Dame College: 
   1. 10 days 
   2. 12 hours each day with 3 hours off for meals/breaks
   3. Special events thru the week
   4. Surprise morning blocks off
      
2. Facilities—do I have an ensemble room, a practice field, access to the main field, private rooms for 1 on 1 help, sectional spaces, all reserved in advance?
   
3. Equipment—this one is where many fall bands fall short. Double check that there’s a system in place for the following list. 
   1.  Metronome
   2. PA system
   3. Color guard equipment
   4. Percussion instruments
   5. Instrument checkout        
      *ALL equipment should be prepped and ready before camp starts.*
      
4. Staffing—Double-check that your staff/leadership is trained and ready for camp. Make sure that all staff get PAID on time. Ask yourself-does your staff align with your overall philosophy? Hire folks that push each other respectfully.
   
5. Finances—make sure that you are operating within your budgetary limitations. Don’t overspend. Don’t spend 75% of your budget by the time band camp is over…look at the big picture, all the time.
   
6. Content—make sure that music, drill, choreography, etc… are all ready for your members! 
   
7. Blocking out your camp-  I used to create a 10 day schedule in advance…NO. Haha, not anymore. While the big schedule is in place (start/end times, and meal breaks) I use my band camp staff to create the blocks for the next day during the evening meetings the night before. Having a 30 minute staff meeting after a band camp day and coming together to create the plan. Instead of pre-planning it all, I have different types of rehearsals we can pick from and create custom days. 
   
   To make this work, you MUST set goals. For example, we need to have all of the pregame on the field with music and routine by the end of Day 4. We must have a pep band and parade tunes ready by Day 7. 2/3rd halftime must be ready by the end of Day 10. Whatever you decide is fine…set goals! 

With those goals in mind, you can build your schedule. Here are examples of rehearsal blocks that I have that the staff can pick from:

1. Full ensemble, music
2. Full ensemble, drill
3. Sectionals
4. Small sectionals
5. Private practice time
6. Basics block
7. Leadership
8. Daily performances
9. Social event

As you get ready for your band camp, see if you can incorporate elements of the 3 P’s into your band camp planning- People, Product, and Process.