Sunday
July 9, 2023

Welcome to the 70th annual Band Camp at West Texas A&M University.

We've expanded the camp to include string instruments, so we are now the Band and Orchestra Camp, although strings were part of the camp back in 1979 when I started. So,...

Welcome to the Band and Orchestra Camp at West Texas A&M University.

Here are some before pictures. We're assembling packets for Sunday's registrations. Pardon our mess. If we can't find your registration packet, it was probably one that I did.

The worker bees (left to right) Braden, Gage, and partial Rachel.

Rachel.

Kaitlyn.

We have different nametag holders this year. When you pick up your registration packet, the front of the holder will have your ID badge. Also in the front is a yellow half sheet that has your name.

If it isn't your name, don't read it; it will only confuse you.

If you make it past your name, continue to inspect the audtion time, which is open between 12 noon at 6 pm (but we encourage you to do the audition earlier in the afternoon rather than later). Below that you will see your dorm (that is, residence hall) assignment and room number if you are staying on campus.

Next is your band camp ID number. That's the number on your ID badge. It is the same number as the gold card (Buff Card #) in case your parents want to put money on the card. WT is a "cashless" campus, so U.S. currency will not be accepted anywhere here.

Finally, you will see your 7:45 am elective, the 1:45 p.m. Required Class, the 3:30 p.m. College Prep Theory (for campers going into 11th or 12th grade), and the 4:30 p.m. elective.

Remember that all morning from 8:30 until around 12:30 you will be in a full band rehearsal, a woodwind/brass/percussion sectional, and a small like-instrument class. Each last about an hour with a 15-minute break between them.

Many of the 1:45 and 4:30 classes are dependent on the Sunday auditions, so the results will be posted in the Northen Atrium.

If you need to change your 7:45, 1:45, 3:30, 4:30 class, come to the band camp office, Northen 260. We would like to have all the changes made by Monday.

On the back side is your Band Camp Card (which belongs to the university and must be returned at the end of camp. [If you have money (greater than $10), your parents can request a refund through the Gold Card Office.]

Inside the zipper pocket is your patch and sticker. Last year those items were distributed at the final concert. This year, we'll make you responsible for them and take a lot of pressure off me!

Here is Becky, the camp secretary. She can answer all your questions about camp.

Let's explore the campus. I caught a ride on a truck from Amarillo. When it turned left at the stoplight on the corner of 23rd Street and Russell Long Boulevard, I was thrown from my perch. While I was already at the northwest corner of campus, I decided to take a picture. I'm aiming southwest.

Still pointing southwest. In the background, beyond the trees, is Northen Hall, the music building.

I'm sneaking up to Northen Hall.

Adjacent to Northen is the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex. Music is on the second floor, left side. Art, theatre, and communication are on the ground floor.

Get use to bad pictures. That's my trademark.

I turned to my right, pointing to 23rd Street, which runs north and south, and here is a view of the Ghost of Stafford Hall. Across the street is a United Supermarket, Subway, Fat Boy's BBQ, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and all the other comforts of home. (Campers staying in the dorms have meals provided at the Cafeteria that run by Aramark. Commuters can eat in the cafeteria, but their meal will be deducted from money on the Band Camp Card.)

Coming close to my prey (Northen Hall). Signs on the doors will indicate that this is the "N" building during camp.

When you come to camp, you will enter the doors on the left to begin the registration process. Beginning Monday, you might use the doors on the right for high school ensembles (percussion sectionals, band rehearsals, Trapley Music Store (room 1020 in case you have a boo-boo), instrument storage, etc.

Doors to the right,...

Doors to the left (to begin registration) of me...

Left face. Forward march. In front of me is the Fine Arts Complex (the "F" building during camp).

There is a pathway/wilderness trail between "F" and "N" heading south in case you want to make your grand entrance from another direction.

I walked north, turned right, and am now facing east. Classrooms are closest to us. In the distance is the performing venues. There's a Studio Theatre, the Branding Iron theater, and the Recital Hall.

Heading east. On the left is Jarrett Hall, where high school boys will stay.

Across the street is Buff Hall, where the camp faculty will stay.

Jarrett.

The cafeteria. It's on the corner, east of Buff Hall and across the street from Jarrett.

Turning east. Walking. Step by step.

Nest to Jarret is the football stadium.

Looking back (northwest) at Jarrett.

Looking back at the cafeteria.

Looking eastward is the activity center. Two bands will rehearse here, but campers during their limited free time can play basketball, raquetball, bowling, etc.

It's overcast this morning, but don't worry about me. I can still see clearly. Off yonder is Founders Hall (to the left) for girls and Jones Hall (to the right) for boys.

To the right of Jones Hall, is Cross Hall, where there are more girls.

One more look at the activity center.

Jones Hall.

Angling left towards Founders Hall.

Turning left to see the main entrance. It's on the east side of the courtyard.

Turning right (south).

Heading west, back to Northen and the Fine Arts Complex. Cross Lobby is on the left; Jones on the right, so they're very close to one another.

Cross Hall.

Going west again.

One last look at Jones.

And another last look at Cross.

Shirley Hall (we're not using it) on the left side.

Clear sailing ahead.

I usually angle to the left. You can decide what you want to do, but I just follow that guy back to "N" and "F."

I glanced to the right and saw that the work crew was unloading percussion equipment at the Alumni Banquet Hall, where the orchestras will rehearse.

Continuing west.

"F" is in sight.

To the left (southwest) is the classroom center.

Here's the south entrance to the "F" building.

Straight ahead is the "N" building.

To the south is the Classroom Center, north entrance. The junior high school honors band will rehearse in Legacy Hall in the JBK. The junior high school 3 pm assembly will also be in Legacy Hall

Back and forth. Back and forth. Heading inside the "N" building, (south)east entrance.

Inside the "N" building. Northen is triangular shaped, much like the Bermuda Triangle.

In the center is the Atrium.

Northen Hall housed the art department (north side) and the music department (south side). The art side displays their works. The music department's works evaporate/decay over time (except that bass clarinet squeak that still lingers in the rafters of the recital hall).

Here are some of the art works.

The butterfly escape.

Graphic design posters.

These next pieces are clay on wood. They have titles, but that's not what we're doing here. Look but DON'T touch.

These are 3-D paper pieces.

Pottery bowls. Up close, they're all unique.

Drawings.

An installation piece. (I think this was here last year.)

More art works on the south wall.

From the second floor looking back into the Atrium and the hanging sculpture (that you can't see very well).

Mr. Lefevre, camp director, and Dr. Teweleit, assistant camp director.

Yesterday, the staff met to be instructed/reminded of duties/policies. Up first was student events. They are responsible for working the dances in the evening, bingo, the 3 pm assemblies, intramurals, announcing the day's events to each morning ensemble, roving, and a whole lot more. Johanna and Brianna are in charge.

Following that meeting, it was time for the resident assistants. They live in the residence halls with the students and are the "moms and dads' during camp. Their supervisors are Bailee (Cross Hall), Emily (Founders), Luigi (Jones), and Chris (Jarrett).

Also are the meeting was the work crew. They are the ones behind the scene making sure that everything runs smoothly. Lucas, Blake, Charles.

Charles, Malik, Norrin, Maxwell.

And a repeat.

It's time to start. Registration packets are ready to go downstairs. That's several days of work, so we begin the first day tired.

Let's review. I'm outside Northen Hall. Which set of door do you go into? Answer: the left set.

Notice the "N" Northen sign. This is the "N" building.

I'm inside.

If I turn to the right, there's the recital hall. The organ studio is where Student Events will set up (next to the fire alarm).

See the alphabet hanging from the ceiling? That's where you will line up to receive your registration packet. (Line up by Last Name, if this is the first time you've lined up.) An Official Registration Packet Distributor is in place to demonstrate what it's like to be on the other side.

Very close is some information. There's a list of the Required 1:45 Class options and the morning/afternoon choice in case you want to change.

A master list of auditon locations in case you want to know where your friend will be. When you go to your auditon room, there's another list for that specific room. If you name is not on the door, look at the yellow information half-sheet that was in your packet. If you've already lost the yellow, half-sheet, it's back to Northen to memorize the master list of auditon locations again.

A private lesson list. The private lesson teachers are handling sign ups this year. You can talk to them in sectionals that start on Tuesday.

A master list of classes.

Audtion results will be posted this evening in the atrium. When? I don't know.

I'm entering the south side of the "F" building, the Fine Arts Complex.

I'm inside. Tuesday morning we will begin sectional rehearsals. F-189 is to the left; F-176 is the first door on the left that you can see; F-175 (clarinet) is on the right just after the fifth picture on the wall; F-177 is to the right and down the hall; F-Recital hall is further down the hall; the F-Grand Lobby is all the way down the hall and into the glass windows that let in the sun.