Music Department Hosts 2023 Summer Camps

The Department of Music hosted two successful camps in June 2023. The second annual IUP Summer Music Camp was held June 12–16, and the Drum Major and Leadership Academy, which rebooted in 2022, was held June 26–30.

Eighty-eight students from 37 different schools throughout Pennsylvania attended the 2023 IUP Summer Music Camp. SMC is open to rising seventh through twelfth grades. Campers performed in ensembles—including Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band—and participated in electives such as Vocal Jazz, Musical Theater, Electronic Music, Drumming, Movie Scoring, Conducing, Ukulele and Guitar, and Rock Band. Each student received a private lesson from a Department of Music faculty member. When not in rehearsals or elective classes, students played games in the Cogswell Hall courtyard or participated in evening activities organized by SMC counselors.

Thirteen IUP music majors served as SMC counselors, and 18 Department of Music faculty taught throughout the week. The week concluded with a final concert on Friday, June 16, featuring performances by Vocal Jazz Ensemble, two Jazz Bands, Choir, Orchestra, and Concert Band.

Ninety-one students from 42 different schools, including PA, OH, WV, and VA, attended the 2023 IUP Drum Major and Leadership Academy. DMLA is open to rising ninth through twelfth grades. DMLA has been a part of the marching arts community since the early days of the A.R. Casavant Cavalcade. The Casavant connection to IUP developed through involvement in this event as well as the hiring of Charles Casavant, director of the IUP Marching Band from 1976 to 2000. The event has evolved over the years, but the core of the training stays the same. Students engage in a variety of leadership, marching, and performing opportunities in order to provide new experiences related to leadership in their home band programs.

The camp is facilitated by the Legend Marching Band staff and student leadership. The week concluded with a final exhibition on Friday, June 30, featuring precision drill demonstration, command calling, color guard and twirler technique, percussion technique, and drum major presentations.

Plans are already underway for the 2024 Summer Music Camp and Drum Major and Leadership Academy. Summer Music Camp will be held June 10–15 (residential move-in June 9), and the Drum Major and Leadership Academy will be held June 24–28. Registration for the 2024 music camps at IUP will be available in the fall. Residential and commuter options will be available.