The 30th annual Florida A&M University (FAMU) Band Camp brought high schoolers from across the country to play with one of the top HBCU bands in the country. Musicians from California to Washington, D.C. flew in to take part in a week-long crash course into marching band techniques as taught by FAMU Director of Marching Bands, Dr. Shelby Chipman, and his entire staff.
The week ended with performances. Friday, the bands performed in a parade across the FAMU campus. The path was nearly identical to the path of the annual FAMU Homecoming parade. Saturday was the finale with a big show in the Al Lawson Center.
Over 420 students attended this year’s camp. This represents Both a teaching opportunity and a recruitment first look for the FAMU band staff. In Florida, the competition to recruit the best musicians is hot. Battling against FBS-level schools and other HBCU bands in Florida, it takes every opportunity to attract the best talent in the state.
Check out some of the highlights in our video on YouTube.
About FAMU Band Camp
The Marching “100” Summer Band Camp is one of the most comprehensive band camps in the country. This band camp offers middle and high school students the opportunity to improve their music proficiency, improve their marching concepts, play in small chamber groups, as well as perform concert band and jazz ensemble music. We have an excellent auxiliary staff that instructs our color guard, dancers, twirlers, and drum majors.
Be a part of the internationally famous Florida A&M University Marching Band Camp programs for grade levels 9th-12th. A special invitation is extended to middle school students who will be entering a high school band.
Learn from the FAMU band staff, Marching 100 members, and visiting directors. Over 100 of the band’s present members volunteer their time and effort in order to make this the best summer band camp in the country!