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Last week over 600 middle and high school students from as far away from as far away as California, Maryland, Michigan, Wyoming, the Bahamas, Germany and across Florida traveled to Tallahassee to participate in the 28th FAMU Band Camp. The students were immersed in a week of learning what it takes to be a member of the famed Marching 100 band.
Students learned the musicianship, drills, rehearsals, and performance, said Director of Bands Shelby Chipman, Ph.D. In addition to the camaraderie of working with fellow student musicians from across the country, participants learned lessons about leadership and discipline they can take back to their schools.
“We’re just excited about the future of music and band programs all around because we know these students are going to be inspired when they leave after working with our camp counselors who’ve done yeoman’s work all week long,” Chipman said.
Corban McKinney, a 17-year trumpet player, flew from his home in Germany, to soak up the culture, instruction and comradery of the FAMU Band Camp.
“At my school in Germany, we don’t have anything like this. We just have basic band where you sit down, read the music and play, while here you have to memorize the music, dance to the music, there’s more to it,” said McKinney, one of 85 trumpet players attending camp. “I’ve never lived in the States, never experienced a school like this with this kind of school spirit … so for me, it’s truly a culture shock,” he added.