Band & Orchestra Camp Main Page

2025 BAND & ORCHESTRA CAMP - July 6-12

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

Registration for 2025 is now closed!

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 2025 WTAMU Band & Orchestra Camp Artist in Residence

JAMES BARGER

James Barger is an active performer and educator, known for his dynamic presence on stage and in the classroom. Currently the Associate Professor of Saxophone at West Texas A&M University, James teaches applied saxophone and jazz improvisation, directs Jazz Band II and the Saxophone Ensemble, and oversees the university’s Pep Band. A versatile musician, he is equally at home in classical and jazz settings, performing solo and chamber works across the U.S.

James is passionate about chamber music and is a founding member of two acclaimed ensembles: the award-winning Mirasol Quartet and the Triptych Trio. Mirasol has earned top honors in prestigious competitions, including the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (Wind Division Gold Medal, 2015), the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition (Third Place, 2014), and the Enkor Chamber Music Competition (Grand Prize, 2016). They have performed and presented at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Midwest Clinic, International Saxophone Symposium, and the North American Saxophone Alliance, while advocating for music education across the country.

The Triptych Trio, consisting of WTAMU faculty members on saxophone, violin, and piano, has rapidly gained recognition since its founding in 2022. The trio has toured Texas and received invitations to perform in New Mexico, Kansas, Mississippi, and internationally in Colombia.

In addition to his work at WTAMU, James teaches at several summer music programs, including the WTAMU Band and Orchestra Camp, the Young Saxophonist’s Institute, and the Asia Pacific Saxophone Academy in Bangkok, Thailand. His teaching philosophy emphasizes effective practice strategies, creative music entrepreneurship, and the adaptation of new music for saxophone and saxophone ensembles.

James is also an accomplished woodwind doubler and has performed in the pit for more than twenty theater productions with Amarillo Little Theatre and the WTAMU Theater Program. His orchestral experience includes performances with the Amarillo Symphony, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, and Midland-Odessa Symphony.

In the jazz and commercial music world, James has shared the stage with acts such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, Lee Greenwood, and Crystal Gayle, and has performed with traveling shows like The Rat Pack is Back! and The Beatles Classical Mystery Tour. He frequently collaborates with jazz musicians in the Amarillo area and performs with the A-Town Rockers.

James holds degrees from Texas Tech University (DMA) and West Texas A&M University (MM, BM) and is a proud performing artist and endorser of Selmer Paris saxophones and D’Addario Woodwinds.

James 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