Last week (June 8-12) the K-State Bands hosted their 31st annual Summer Music Camp. 197 students in grades 5-12, from five different states performed in three large concert bands and nine small ensembles coordinated by Frank Tracz, Alex Wimmer, Zack Deininger, Courtney Grecu, and 23 current and former music students. Dr. Jay Gilbert (professor emeritus at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska), Dr. Larry Blocher (professor emeritus at Troy University in Troy, Alabama), and Dr. Andy Feyes (Director of Instrumental Studies at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska) were the guest conductors for the three large concert bands.
Students at the camp not only received a quality musical instruction by the camp staff and K-State music faculty but got to experience campus by bowling at the K-State Union, Kramer Dining Center, and perform with the Manhattan Municipal Band Concert in City Park (June 10). The camp was highlighted by a performance in McCain Auditorium (June 12). The Blocher Band performed the world premiere of Larry Blocher’s composition Purple Sunflowers, composed just for this year’s campers! The final piece on the concert involved all 197 students, performing Call of Duty (pictured). What a great way to bring these potential Wildcats to campus!
Special thanks go to K-State Housing and Dining and McCain Auditorium for providing accommodations so that camp could occur this summer!
Next year’s camp will be June 7-11, 2026.
