MONTICELLO, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) Division of Music will host its “Summer Music Camps @UAM” offerings in June and July 2026 for rising sixth through twelfth graders. Two sessions will be offered, and students may attend one camp per session, with the option to stay on or off campus for the duration of the camp.
Session I will take place June 9-13 and include three band camps structured to strengthen students’ performance skills on a variety of instruments and boost their confidence: “Beginner,” for rising sixth-graders, “Junior High,” for rising seventh and eighth graders, and “Senior High,” for rising ninth through twelfth graders. Ninth through twelfth graders have the option to attend “Junior High.”
All Session I students will participate in an informal, low-pressure audition on the first day, which will help the faculty determine their needs and placement within the concert band. They will also rehearse in a full concert setting twice per day.
Session II, which will take place July 7-11, is for rising ninth through twelfth graders only. Students can participate in Jazz Band; Drum Major and Marching Band Leadership; Colorguard; or Marching Drumline. Jazz Band campers will focus on improvisation, theory, ear training, history and technique. Drum Major and Marching Band Leadership campers will receive extensive instruction in leadership development, score study, rehearsal techniques and conducting fundamentals from former and current drum majors of the UAM “Pride of Southeast Arkansas” Marching Band. In the redesigned Colorguard program, campers will receive specific instruction in rifle, flag, saber and dance choreography. Campers who attend UAM’s new Marching Drumline will receive instruction in marching fundamentals and ensemble playing.
All Session II camps will culminate in a final performance for friends and family. Students attending the Colorguard and Marching Drumline camps will be required to provide their own equipment.
Dr. Erik Richards, associate professor of music and director of bands at UAM, expressed his anticipation for the summer camps, stating, “For many years, the University of Arkansas at Monticello Division of Music Summer Music Camps have provided outstanding summer music-making opportunities for high school band students, and this year we are absolutely thrilled to take things to the next level. ‘Summer Music Camps @UAM’ has expanded to feature seven dynamic and engaging camps, including our popular concert and jazz band camps, plus a newly reimagined Colorguard Camp and Marching Band Leadership Camp — each of which received an exciting ‘glow up’ in 2026. We are especially excited to launch our brand-new Marching Band Drumline Camp, led by UAM Assistant Professor of Percussion Kylan Bigby, alongside an exceptional team of respected percussion educators from across the region. My staff and I cannot wait to welcome students from around the country to campus this summer to grow as musicians, form lasting friendships and ignite a lifelong passion for music. It truly is an incredible time to be a musician at UAM!”
Registration is now open.
To complete a camp application or view additional information, visit here.
For more information about the camps, scholarship opportunities or the music program at UAM, contact the UAM Division of Music atbandcamp@uamont.edu or 870-460-1060.
