Band & Orchestra Camp Main Page

2026 BAND & ORCHESTRA CAMP - July 5-11

WTAMU Band & Orchestra camp is for students entering 7th grade - incoming college freshman.

Registration for 2026 will open March 1, 2026!

Link to current camper registration here!

Audition Materials

All campers will audition for chair placement. Winds and percussion will be placed in one of the five High School or four Junior High School bands; strings will be placed in one of three orchestras (two full and one string).

Updated 1/13/25

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2025 Pricing Information

All deposits are due June 1, 2025.

High School Solo Competition information included here.

Private lesson information.

Updated 2/17/25

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Camp Schedules

Sunday schedule for Registration & Auditions on July 6, 2025.

Daily camper schedules (Monday - Friday).

Camper and Concert schedules for Saturday, July 12, 2025.

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What to Bring to Camp

A compilation of things you'll need for the week of camp for all campers.

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Camp Safety: Rules and Expectations

Need to know guidelines and regulations for campers.

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Campus Services

Information regarding the Camp Card/Buff Card, Medical needs, Dining Hall information, University Police Department Property Identification, Mail for campers, and Instrument supplies and repair by Tarpley Music Company.

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Other Camp Information

Band & Orchestra Camp Ball, Airline Travel, Photos of our daily camp adventures.

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Band Directors Corner

Director's Band Music and Band Director's Workshop information can be found here.

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The 2026 WTAMU Band & Orchestra Camp Artist in Residence

DR. CHRISTOPHER BUCKLEY

Dr. Christopher Buckley is a low brass specialist and music educator in the Washington DC area. A native Texan, he grew up in Laredo, TX, and competed in several international solo competitions including winning first prize in the Leonard Falcone Solo Competition. Dr. Buckley completed a Doctorate in Euphonium Performance at The University of North Texas where he studied with Dr. Brian Bowman. He earned his Master's degree in Euphonium Performance from UNT in May 2005, and a bachelor's degree in Music Education from West Texas A&M University in December 2002 where he studied with Dr. Joseph Cox. Throughout his musical career he has competed in several solo and chamber music competitions and continues to be active as a soloist and clinician.

Dr. Buckley is currently a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own". He has played with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Dallas Civic Wind Ensemble, Dallas Wind Symphony, Capital Wind Symphony, NOVA Wind Ensemble, Brass of the Potomac Brass Band, Spires Brass Band, Rockville Brass Band, and the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. He has been featured with the Baltimore Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Fredericksburg Symphony, and York Symphony. As a regular member of the United States Army Herald Trumpets he has performed with acclaimed film composer John Williams, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and performs regularly in the Military District of Washington at the White House, Pentagon, and Arlington Cemetery. He currently performs regularly with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) Brass Ensemble and Brass Quintet as a member of the Doughboy Foundation. Dr. Buckley is also a Willson performing artist.

Dr. Buckley is graciously sponsored by Tarpley Music Company for this summer's camp.

More About Our Camp

The WTAMU Band Camp has been held annually for over 70 years on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, located in the Texas panhandle just south of Amarillo. This year, we are including string students in order to also have an orchestra experience. Students who have completed at least one year of full band or orchestra may attend (entering 7th grade - incoming college freshman). The campers make up 9 full bands, 4 for junior high and 5 for high school, in addition to a full orchestra and string orchestra. The camp faculty consists of members of the excellent WTAMU music faculty along with leading high school and junior high band directors from Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. A camper's daily schedule includes full band or orchestra rehearsals, sectionals, individual instrument classes, and a required afternoon class and assembly, as well as optional electives at 4:30pm. In addition, many activities are offered in the evening hours.

Campers staying on campus are housed in university dorms; WT students serve as resident assistants. Each dorm also has a live-in adult dorm supervisor. Roommate assignments are made based on requests received from the online registration system. In the event that no specific roommate is requested, one is assigned by our staff and, whenever possible, campers are kept together with other students from their hometowns.

We look forward to seeing you at camp this summer! Please contact our office (806-651-2828 or bandcamp@wtamu.edu) if you have further questions.

for more information

please contact us at the following:

bandcamp@wtamu.edu

806-651-2828

West Texas A&M University Band & Orchestra Camp

WTAMU Box 60879

Canyon, TX 79016

DON LEFEVRE, CAMP DIRECTOR

Dr. Ted DuBois, assistant camp director

Dr. Russ Teweleit, assistant camp director

Becky Usleton, secretary

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Thank you to Green Light Group Tours for your support!

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

Band & Orchestra Camp Office: 806-651-2828

Spring Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday - 8:00am-4:00pm

Summer Hours: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-12:00pm; 1:00pm-5:00pm

Dining Hall: 806-651-6707

Dorms:

Cross Hall: 806-690-3115

Founders Hall: 806-690-3224

Jarrett Hall: 806-690-3218

Jones Hall: 806-690-3211