Report from Band Camp 2025

By Miriam Weisman, Drum Major

In late August, in preparation for the coming school year, students from Garfield’s Band and Drumline program came together for our annual 3-day band camp. From August 19th to 21st they participated in sectionals, full band warm-ups, and rehearsals to get ready for the Athletic Band season.

Each day started with sectional time where instrument groups would come together for time to get to know their section leader, practice their parts, and learn about Garfield’s band. The rest of the day would consist of warm-ups led by Mr. Sessink and Saunders respectively, and full band and drumline rehearsals to polish what had been learned earlier in the day.

This time was also used to build camaraderie between incoming and returning students. As we foster these connections between students, we’ve also begun to introduce a leadership program, giving upperclassmen an opportunity to take greater responsibility within the ensemble. Some of this includes leading sectionals, demonstrating and teaching visuals/horn moves, helping with music distribution, and starting the uniform organisation for the Garfield football season. 

We rounded off band camp with a performance to show what the band had been working on this week. Members from the community showed up to watch and support the band and drumline’s hard work! Check out future band and drumline events at @garfieldhsbands and @bangmydrumghs on Instagram

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Thanks very much to Miriam for taking the time to write up this report on this summer’s band camp week! Throughout the year, we encourage students and parents of band, orchestra, and drumline ensembles to write up similar articles talking about trips and events with Garfield music. Contact website@garfieldhsmusic.org for details.