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Low Brass Camp About

Mission

The Boise State Low Brass Camp provides an environment for trombone, euphonium, and tuba students to explore their instrument and develop the proper skills needed to excel. The 2023 camp is open to students entering grades 6-12, and graduating seniors.  Students have the opportunity to break into focus groups based on their ability level. Topics addressed include chamber music, proper embouchure, breathing, tone production, musicality, ensemble playing, proper warm up techniques, instrument care, jazz improvisation, and performance art.

COVID Precautions

(January 1, 2023) Current campus guidelines do not require masking or bell covers. Masking is optional across all instructional facilities on campus.

The Low Brass Camp will be in person. COVID safety protocols will reflect campus policy at the time of the camp. For current campus protocols, please see the Boise State University COVID-19 Guidelines.


Activities

Camp activities include group warm up, clinics, private lessons, chamber music, and large group rehearsals. The camp culminates with a final concert on June 9th. (Families and friends are invited to attend!) Campers perform on the concert. Activities will take place in the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, and outside on the Boise State Campus.

We will host a solo competition this year! If you would like to compete, please plan to perform a piece from the UIL solo list. We will hear individuals play their solos during the camp and the winner will be invited to perform on the final concert. The first place award is a monetary honorarium.*


Dates

June 5-9, 2023

Fee

Tuition $275

Meals, parking passes, solo competition, and/or additional lessons may be added for an additional fee.

Campers receive five full days of instruction, a private lesson from one of our artist faculty, music, admission to all camp concerts, a bell cover, and a t-shirt. All campers receive full camp instruction and supervision from 9:00AM until 5:00PM daily. Transportation to and from the camp is the responsibility of the student and/or their parent/guardian.

Scholarships are available on a limited basis. To apply, fill out this Scholarship Application Form, which includes an essay and a video recording component. The scholarship application must be received by May 1, 2023 in order to qualify for scholarship consideration.


Registration

Please visit our Registration Page for complete information.

Deadlines

  • Registration Deadline: May 15, 2023
  • Scholarship Deadline: May 1, 2023

Guest Artist

We are pleased to welcome Ross Holcombe to the 2023 Camp!

Ross Holcombe is the Associate Principal Trombonist of The Florida Orchestra. He has previously served as Principal Trombonist of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and Associate Principal Trombonist of the Vermont
Symphony Orchestra. Ross has also given performances with numerous other orchestras, including the Seattle, Utah, Oregon, Albany, and Vancouver Symphonies, the Sarasota Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Rhode Island
Philharmonic, US Coast Guard Band, and Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Solo engagements include performances with The Florida Orchestra, Spokane Symphony, Gonzaga Wind Symphony, and NEC Symphonic Winds as well as the Eastern Trombone Workshop with the Frequency Band. Ross earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees from the New England Conservatory. More information about Ross can be found on his website at www.RossHolcombe.com.

Staff

Josh Barro, Band Director at Mountain View High School, Trombonist, BSU alum
Josh Gentile, Treasure Valley Bass Trombonist, camp alum
Hannah Gibson, Treasure Valley Music Educator & Euphonium Player
Jeff Paradis, Band director at Ridgevue High School, Trombonist, BSU alum
Sarah Paradis, Boise State Trombone & Euphonium Professor

Parker Snell, Boise State alum (MM 23′), Tuba Player
Bill Waterman, Boise State Tuba Professor


Director

Dr. Sarah Paradis
Associate Professor of Trombone & Euphonium
Boise State University
sarahparadis@boisestate.edu
208-426-1685

*Prize amount to be determined, based upon camp enrollment.

2023 Student Survey

Student Survey

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