About Us

Mission Statement


The Prince William County Summer Music Camps were created to provide exciting and valuable musical enrichment for the students of PWCS and surrounding communities. Students attending the camps will come away with enhanced understanding of performing and creating music while reinforcing the fundamentals so important to the performing arts. Participants will learn from a team of energetic and qualified instructors who will collaborate to share their individual expertise and enthusiasm for music. In addition, students will be provided the opportunity to meet other young people who share their interest in the arts.

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Concert Band


The concert band camp will have multiple bands (Cadet and Concert Band) to meet the students’ experience level. It will include a chamber ensemble element that allows for individualized instruction and unique performance opportunities. The faculty will perform in daily recitals exhibiting the many performance settings possible beyond the standard concert band. Percussion instructors will be on staff to correctly address the many demands that these performers face. Students will participate in fun physical activities and team-building games to diversify the daily activities and promote social interaction amongst the participants. The experience will culminate in a concert performance at the end of the week showcasing the skills of the participants. 

Students must have at least one year of experience to attend and the majority of students are rising 7th through 10th graders.

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Jazz Band


The jazz band camp will have multiple jazz ensembles (Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble) to meet the students’ experience level. It will include the opportunity for students who play band instruments not found in a standard jazz ensemble to learn to “double” on saxophone or electric bass. Percussion instructors will be on staff to give individual and group drum-set lessons.  ‘Sectional’ rehearsals will be included which allow for individualized instruction on all instruments. Students will participate in fun physical activities and team-building games to diversify the daily activities and promote social interaction amongst the participants. The experience will culminate in a concert performance at the end of the week showcasing the skills of the participants. 

Students must have at least one year of experience to attend and the majority of students are rising 7th though 11th graders.

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Dates


Concert Band Camp — July 18-22

Jazz Band Camp — July 25-29

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Location


Benton Middle School, 7411 Hoadly Rd, Manassas VA 20112

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*Tuition


Jazz Band Camp — $100

Concert Band Camp — $150

Concert & Jazz Band Camp — $220 (Only $22 per day!)

*Tuition includes instruction, music, t-shirt, snacks, recreational activities, daily performances by local musicians, and pizza lunch on Friday. Students must pack a lunch Monday through Thursday. 

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Shuttle Bus Option: $15/week


Shuttle buses will be offered from Gainesville Middle School. Click here for specific details, including the schedule. Parent volunteers will be needed at each site in order to provide this option. Please contact a camp director if you are available to supervise a site before or after camp.


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Financial Assistance


Based on free or reduced lunch applicability. Please contact Mr. Pratte (prattejb@pwcs.edu) for further information.


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Refund Policy


If a student is unable to attend camp after payment is made, a request for a partial refund must be received by June 2nd. Refund amounts are $60 for Jazz band, $125 for percussion and concert band, and $185 for both camps. NO refunds will be processed after the June 2nd deadline.

**We welcome your checks. However, if your check is returned for insufficient funds, we will electronically present it to your bank for the face value, plus a $35.00 processing fee and any protest or bad check return fee charged by your financial institution. This action will be taken without further notice. All returned checks referred for collection are subject to a $35.00 processing fee, any protest or bad check return fee charged by your financial institution, and all other charges, interest, and attorney's fee allowed by law.**

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Audition Info - Concert Band


Students will be asked to prepare a brief audition in order to place each student in an ensemble which best meets his/her abilities and areas for growth. Students who decline to audition will be automatically placed in the Cadet Band (introductory level band)

  1. Winds — Major scale of student choice, prepared piece of student choice, chromatic scale (optional)
  2. Percussion — Prepared Piece of choice, Sightreading, Prepared Rudiments (optional: 5-stroke roll, 7 stroke roll, 9-stroke roll, Flam, Flam tap, Flam-accent, Flam-Paradiddle, Paradiddle, Ruff)

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Audition Info - Jazz Band


  1. Winds — Major scale of student choice, prepared piece of student choice
  2. Percussion (drumset) — Perform different styles (rock, swing, latin etc..) and Sightreading **Percussionists must provide his/her own drumset for the camp***

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Schedule - Concert Band


Monday

          •   8:15-  8:45am   Registration
          •   8:45-  9:00am   Welcome meeting in gym, explain audition process
          •   9:00-  9:45am   Auditions
          •   9:45-10:00am   Students report to assigned rooms, Staff introductions, camp rules/procedures explained.
          • 10:00-11:00am   Rehearsal
          • 11:00-11:30am   Chamber Ensembles
          • 11:30-12:00pm   Rehearsal
          • 12:00-  1:00pm   Lunch
          •   1:00-  2:00pm   Rehearsal (Sectionals)
          •   2:00-  2:10pm   Break
          •   2:10-  3:00pm   Rehearsal

 

Tuesday thru Thursday

          •   9:00-10:00am   Rehearsal
          • 10:00-10:10am   Break
          • 10:10-11:00am   Chamber Ensembles
          • 11:00-11:30am   Team Activity
          • 11:30-12:00pm   Rehearsal (Sectionals)
          • 12:00-  1:00pm   Lunch
          •   1:00-  1:40pm   Rehearsal/Sectionals
          •   1:40-  2:10pm   Faculty Recital
          •   2:10-  3:00pm   Rehearsal (Percussion joins in when they are ready)

Friday

          •   9:00-10:00am   Rehearsal
          • 10:00-10:30am   Chamber Ensembles
          • 10:30-10:45am   Setup for Concert
          • 10:45-12:15pm   Run through of entire concert
          • 12:15-12:40pm   Pizza Lunch
          • 12:40-  1:00pm   Warmup and Tune
          •   1:00-  2:00pm   Concert
          •   2:00-  4:00pm   Clean Up or Setup up for Jazz Band

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Jazz Band Camp Schedule


Monday

          •   8:15-  8:45am   Registration
          •   8:45-  9:00am   Welcome meeting in gym, explain audition process
          •   9:00-  9:45am   Auditions
          •   9:45-10:00am   Students report to assigned rooms, Staff introductions and camp rules/procedures explained.   
          • 10:00-11:00am   Rehearsal (Elec. Bass/Saxophone/Drumset lessons begin)
          • 11:00-11:10am   Break/Activity
          • 11:10-12:30pm   Full Band Rehearsal

 

Tuesday thru Thursday - Jazz Band

          •   9:00-10:00am   Warmup and Rehearsal (Elec. Bass/Saxophone Class)
          • 10:00-10:10am   Break
          • 10:10-11:00am   Rehearsal/Sectionals (Elec. Bass/Saxophone Class)
          • 11:00-11:30am   Team Activity
          • 11:20-12:30pm   Full Band Rehearsal

 

Tuesday thru Thursday - Jazz Ensemble

          •   9:00-10:00am   Warmup and Rehearsal
          • 10:00-10:10am   Break
          • 10:10-11:00am   Rehearsal/Sectionals
          • 11:00-11:30am   Team Activity
          • 11:20-12:30pm   Full Band Rehearsal

Friday

          •   9:00-10:30am   Final Warmup/Improv class and rehearsal
          • 10:30-10:45am   Setup for dress rehearsal
          • 10:45-12:00pm   Run through of entire concert
          • 12:00-12:30pm   Pizza Lunch
          • 12:30-  1:00pm   Warmup and Tune
          •   1:00-  2:00pm   Concert
          •   2:00-  4:00pm   Setup for Concert Band Camp or Break Down