July 19, 2024
K-State Bands hosts successful Leadership and Auxiliary Camp
Submitted by the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
The K-State Bands hosted its annual Leadership and Auxiliary Camp from July 14–17. Ninety high school drum majors, section leaders, percussionists and color guard members were on campus to learn drum major conducting, leadership skills, and percussion and color guard techniques. These students represented 40 high schools from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and California.
The students participated in several activities that helped strengthen their leadership skills, teamwork development, work ethic, communication, conflict resolution and thriving through adversity. The camp was process-driven with the goal that each student would come away with the knowledge and confidence necessary to become stronger leaders within their own band programs.
The camp concluded with a performance on July 17 in All Faiths Chapel. Each captain got a chance to demonstrate what they learned in the couple of days spent under the instruction of K-State band staff, graduate assistants, drum majors, Kansas State University Marching Band leadership and Kansas music educators. Frank Tracz, director of bands, was the keynote speaker for this year's camp, leading three large group sessions throughout the week.
The camp is open to all students currently in grades 9-12. They represented the finest high school student band leadership in Kansas and the surrounding states.
Next year's camp will be July 13-16, 2025.