Participants in Cannon Music Camp’s Wind program have a variety of opportunities to pursue performance on their respective instrument, both individually and as a member of numerous ensembles.  ASU wind faculty, along with visiting artists and teachers, are in residency to provide all instruction and training.

    Daily activities for wind students include:

    Large Ensembles - include the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band.  Placement is by audition and these ensembles rehearse daily and perform twice during the camp session.

    Small Ensembles - include the Percussion Ensemble and Flute Choir.  These ensembles meet daily and perform once during the camp session.

    Jazz Ensembles - include Jazz Ensembles I and II.  Students are placed in these groups according to audition and interest. Each ensemble performs once during the camp session.

    Music Theory - All Cannon Camp participants study the forms and structure of music at one of four levels, as determined by placement test administered at the beginning of the camp session.

Additionally, all wind principals receive a one-hour, weekly private lesson.  They also participate in a weekly masterclass as well as the various instrumental ensemble concerts throughout the camp session.

Along with the above classes, there are classes in Jazz Improvisation and reed-making for oboes and bassoons that are available.  Students may pursue additional keyboard and vocal interests as time allows  Secondary lessons on additional instruments are available as faculty schedules permit.

    Wind Ensemble is made up of essentially “one-on-a-part” instrumentation and performs upper level standard repertoire.  The Wind Ensemble has also accompanied numerous guest artists as a part of the Camp season.  Recent artists have included The Dallas Brass, Vincent DiMartino, Ricardo Morales, and “Rhythm and Brass.”

    Symphonic Band is for the wind and percussion students who may not be placed in either the Wind Ensemble or Symphony Orchestra, or who may be (for instrumentation purposes) assigned to this ensemble.  This ensemble performs standard repertoire representative of graded literature on the “Grades 3-6” listings.

    Jazz Ensembles represent a significant part of the wind curriculum.  These ensembles are directed by nationally known instructors that provide expert instruction and rehearsal techniques.  Students who participate in the jazz curriculum are encouraged to pursue Jazz Improvisation as part of their schedule.  Each camp session, there is a faculty jazz “night” featuring the talents of the jazz faculty.  There are two different ensembles and each performs once during the camp session.

    Flute Choir is representative of the majority of the flutes who are enrolled in the camp.  This ensemble meets daily and performs literature that is diverse in style and period.  This ensemble is quite likely to enlist musicians of other disciplines (string, keyboard, vocal) in order to compliment its repertoire.  The Flute Choir performs once during the camp session.