The Band Program is designed to challenge students of all proficiency levels. Students are grouped by ability in an appropriate ensemble after submitting a placement video prior to arrival. Our conducting faculty selects challenging repertoire for each level of ensemble. Students receive five hours of intensive daily rehearsals, sectionals, and technique classes. Chamber ensemble experiences are offered to select musicians as the schedule permits. Students can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening.
Band Sessions 1 and 2
During sessions 1 and 2 (High School level), ensembles include a wind ensemble, symphony band, and two equal-ability high school bands (named after famous conductors). Consisting of the most advanced winds and percussion, the Wind Ensemble studies and performs a variety of musically demanding literature designed to challenge even the most experienced high school musician. Past Wind Ensemble repertoire has included selections such as: Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy, Holst’s Suites in E♭ and F, Bernstein’s Candide, Reed’s Armenian Dances, Mackey’s Until the Scars, Biedenbender’s Luminescense, Ticheli’s Sun Dance, Giroux’s Our Cast Aways and Milhaud’s Suite Francaise.
The new Blue Lake Percussion Ensemble challenges advanced high school percussionists to take their ensemble performance skills to the next level. Students rehearse daily in large and small ensembles, as well as participate in technique classes, private instruction, and practice time. Additional work in music theory and master classes are complimented by mentorship from distinguished faculty and conductors. Repertoire will include selections such as Del Borgo’s Introduction and Rondo, Savage’s Spirits Rising, Spears’ Clintonian Sketch, Chavez’ Toccata, Reich’s Music for Pieces of Wood, Daughtrey’s Till the Stars Come Down, and others. A performance in Blodgett Recital Hall at the conclusion of the session will feature the large ensemble, small ensembles, and select soloists. Percussionists for this program are selected via video audition and notified in the spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. Enrollment is limited to 12 students. Visit Scholarships to apply.
Marimba: All 12 major scales a chromatic scale the length of the instrument; Solo – Cello Suite or Concerto in A minor by Bach or a solo at a comparable level
Snare: Solo excerpt from Cirone Portraits in Rhythm or Mitchell Peters Intermediate
Timpani: Solo or Etude from Goodman Method Book (choose a selection that uses all four drums)
Band Sessions 3 and 4
During sessions 3 and 4 (Intermediate/Middle School level), ensembles include a symphony band, concert band and two equal-ability intermediate bands (named after famous conductors). Consisting of the most advanced winds and percussion, the Symphony Band studies and performs a variety of musically demanding literature designed to challenge even the most experienced intermediate/middle school musician. Past Symphony Band repertoire has included selections such as: Perkins’ Tuebor Suite, Himes’ Luminaria, Curnow’s Nathan Hale Trilogy, Nelson’s Courtly Airs and Dances, Ticheli’s Four Shaker Songs and Amen!, Markowski’s The Cave You Fear, LaPlante’s American Riversongs, and Chance’s Incantation and Dance.
Orchestra Winds and Percussion
(Sessions 1-4)
Performing as a part of the Orchestra Winds and Percussion provides advanced students the opportunity to participate in full symphony orchestra, experiencing a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. Student winds and percussion interested in orchestra must initially enroll in “Band” and are selected by placement videos submitted prior to arrival. These select students perform in two orchestra wind sections (Symphony and Concert) and participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber ensembles as scheduling permits.
Performing as a part of the Orchestra Winds and Percussion provides advanced students the opportunity to participate in full symphony orchestra, experiencing a range of challenging orchestral repertoire. Student winds and percussion interested in orchestra must initially enroll in “Band” and are selected by placement videos submitted prior to arrival. These select students perform in two orchestra wind sections (Symphony and Concert) and participate in sectionals, technique classes, and chamber ensembles as scheduling permits.
Masterworks Orchestra Winds and Percussion
(Sessions 1 and 2)
The Masterworks Orchestra challenges advanced high school musicians with original, unedited, standard orchestral repertoire by studying and performing one major work during the 12-day session. Masterworks winds and percussion are selected via video audition and notified in the spring, with preferred placement auditions due by February 28th, and second round auditions due by March 28th. The 2026 repertoire for Session 1 is Shostakovich Symphony No. 5. Repertoire for Session 2 is Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Suite Visit Scholarships to review audition requirements and apply.
Junior Band Program
Blue Lake also offers a band program for younger students with less musical experience at Camp Bernstein. For more details go to Junior Camp.
Blue Lake International
During the summer season, band students will have the opportunity to apply for the International Band, which will tour Europe during the following summer as part of Blue Lake’s International Exchange Program.
Band Conductors 2026
Session 1
Wind Ensemble – Dr. Trae Blanco, Murray State University, Murray, KY
Symphony Band – David Wacyk, University of Missouri – St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Vander Linde Band – Nathaniel Lampman, Saline High School, Traverse City, MI
Begian Band – Dr. Jamal Duncan, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Session 2
Wind Ensemble – Dr. LaToya Webb, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
Symphony Band – Dr. Matthew Ludwig, Retired, Marquette Senior High School, Big Bay, MI
Vander Linde Band – Jared Throneberry, Retired, Manchester Community Schools, Ann Arbor, MI
Begian Band – Margaret Babcock, North Farmington High School & Warner Middle School, Novi, MI
Session 3
Symphony Band – Joseph Dobos, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Concert Band – Kathleen McGrady, retired, Springfield Schools, Perrysburg, OH
Vander Linde Band – Dr. Christopher Ramos, Utah Valley University, Cedar Hills, UT
Begian Band – Kevin Czarnik, Croswell-Lexington Schools, Croswell, MI
Session 4
Symphony Band – Dr. Courtney Snyder, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Vander Linde Band – Erin Lilliefors, Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor, MI
Begian Band – Brenda Bressler, Huron School District, Monroe, MI