Young Musicians Invited to Southwest Community Concert Band Summer Camp

The Southwest Community Concert Band is offering its 9th annual Summer Band Camp open to first year school band students, junior high, middle school, and incoming freshmen band students. The instructors are dedicated, highly qualified music educators/performers from the Chicago area. The band is an all-volunteer organization, averaging 60 musicians, performing at year-round seasonal and summer outdoor concerts in local communities. The goal of the Summer Band Camp program is to promote music education through a positive experience structured to help students develop their musical talents.

Current director, Ray Forlenza, is the band director for Kirby School District 140 in Tinley Park and has been the musical conductor of the Southwest Community Concert Band, since 2000. Prior to running the Summer Band Camp for the Southwest Community Concert Band, Mr. Forlenza was instrumental in organizing and running Moraine Valley Community College’s program for eleven years.

The weeklong Summer Camp is open to students entering middle school through 9th grade with at least one year of instructional playing experience. The band will be offering an optional Jazz Band, Theory, or Improvisational classes for interested students. Band Camp will be supervised by an adult staff and this year’s Camp will be held at the Eagle Rock Community Church located at 14367 W. 159th Street; Homer Glen, IL.

Band Camp takes place from June 22–26, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. each day. On Friday, the campers will be provided with a pizza lunch, followed by an afternoon of recreational activities. Band Camp culminates with a closing Camp Finale Concert at 7 p.m.

For complete Summer Band Camp information, please visit www.swcommunityband.com.