Band and Orchestra Camp

Band and Orchestra Camp Hero Image

Fantastique! Furman’s Band & Orchestra Camp 2026

Sunday – Friday, June 7-12

Talented musicians from across the country join together on the beautiful Furman campus to build not only musicianship skills but life-long friendships. For ages 12-18, the students perform in one of four large ensembles (a full symphony orchestra, a string orchestra, and two concert bands). In addition to the ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, and master classes, the camp offers courses in basic musicianship, conducting, yoga for musicians, improvisation, and music history.

We strongly encourage you to upgrade your student’s camp experience with optional private lessons. They are an ideal way to work one-on-one with an experienced musician on the fundamentals of playing, including tone production, technique, maintenance and musicianship. Content is personalized for the student’s playing level. Lessons are $35 per 30-minute session and students can request a maximum of two lessons on the camp registration form: check box for either 1 lesson or 2 lessons on the second page of the form. Lessons can be requested for an existing registration up until May 24. We will send an invoice once lessons are assigned, as there is not a guarantee they will be available at the time of registration.

Ensemble Placement

Band Camp

Two concert bands and one symphony orchestra winds/percussion section. Placement in the orchestra is for advanced students and based on the recorded audition and their personal interest. Students rehearse with their designated ensembles twice a day.

String Camp

One string-only orchestra and one full symphony orchestra with winds/percussion sections. Students audition through video recordings and are seated in their primary orchestra. Students rehearse with their designated ensembles twice a day.

Placement Audition Process

Ensemble and seating placement is through video submission. All campers will be asked to upload an audition video (via Box file request). The criteria is simple: your video (NOT audio-only), in which YOU, the musician, are visible, should showcase *up to two minutes* of your best playing. You may choose the material.

Please ensure your video’s file name includes YOUR name and instrument (ex: Amy Beach, Kazoo) and that you introduce yourself in your video (ex: “Hello, my name is Amy Beach; I play kazoo and will perform an etude).

Campers will receive notification of their ensemble and chair placement at check-in Sunday.

Eligibility Requirements

For concert band and orchestral string students age 12 – 18

Acceptance is based on instrumentation, balance of the ensembles, residence hall space, applicant’s grade level, ability level, date of application, and prior attendance. Apply early. Some sections fill to capacity prior to the application deadline.

Middle school students:

  • Must have at least two years of study and ensemble experience on your concert band or orchestral string instrument prior to camp. Ensemble director’s recommendation will be requested.
  • Suzuki Strings: Students should have a minimum of two years of instruction playing grade three repertoire in their school programs and youth orchestras or the equivalent of Suzuki Book 4 for violinist and Suzuki Book 3 for violists, cellists and basses.​
  • Must be age 12 on or before June 1.

High School Students:

  • Must have at least three years of study and ensemble experience on your concert band or orchestral string instrument. Ensemble director’s recommendation will be requested.
  • Suzuki-trained strings: Violinists should be at Suzuki Book 6 level or higher. Viola, Cello, and Double Bass should be at Suzuki Book 5 level or higher.

Fees and Registration

2026 Fees

  • Resident Campers: $695
    (includes shared room/bath, all meals, tuition, recreation)
  • Commuter: $550
    (includes lunch, dinner, tuition, recreation)
  • Registration deadline: May 24

Full registration payment is due by June 1. If you earned All-State/Regional honors ensemble placement or are the child of a Furman employee, you may be eligible for a discount.

Refund Policy

  • $100 non-refundable after April 1
  • $200 non-refundable after May 1
  • $300 non-refundable after May 15
  • May 15: Scholarship payments due to Furman, checks payable to Furman University and mailed to camp address below.
  • No refunds after June 1.

Scholarships & Discounts

Recipient of a Scholarship to camp this summer? Congratulations! Scholarship funds may be used for added private lessons and on-campus housing/meals (room and board). Lessons can be added to an existing registration up until May 24. Register as usual, but at check-out, click on the Program Deposit box and pay $100 (either by check or card online) to hold the student’s place in line. You may then use that receipt to support your request for scholarship funds and verify to the sponsor the total amount owed. Please contact Emily Sweezey in the Music Office if questions 864-294-2118. Mail scholarship checks to Furman University Department of Music, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC  29613, attn. Emily Sweezey.

All-State / Regional Honors Ensemble Discounts: Reserved for students who were selected this school year to participate in their state’s highest ranking performing ensembles. This is a discount, not a refundable scholarship. Terminology varies state-to-state. If we have questions or if we can not verify the student’s placement, we will contact you to request official verification.

  • $100 All-State Gold Discount – Student earned placement in your state’s top honors ensemble. In SC, the ensembles are called All-State Band, All-State Orchestra, All-State Jazz Ensemble.  ‘Alternates’ are not eligible for this discount. (Use code All-State-Gold at checkout.)
  • $50 Region Silver Discount – Student earned placement in your state’s regional honors ensemble.  In SC, it is Region Band.  ‘Alternates’ are not eligible for this discount. County-level ensembles are not eligible for this discount. (Use code Region-Silver at checkout.)
  • FU Employee Discount ($100) – Student’s parent/guardian must be current employee of Furman University. Contact the music camp office for more information. (call 864-294-2118)​ (Use code FUEmployee at checkout.)
  • 2025 Band and Orchestra Camp Scholarship Recipient for 2026 Band and Orchestra Camp ($200) – Student will receive an email with details regarding this scholarship. (Use code BOC-Scholar at checkout.)

*Register Below Starting February 1*

Additional Information

Campus housing

Boarders will be in the nearby Clark Murphy Housing Complex. Two students per room, shared bathroom. Students will need to bring their own linens for X-Long single beds. Boarding students may request a specific roommate, though both students must request each other in order to be placed together. Yes, we have a form for that!  But – later in the process – not during initial registration.

Meals

Meals are served in our main dining hall. The DH features a variety of diet options, including a salad bar, four serving lines, a wood-fire pizza oven and a dessert bar. All meals (Sunday dinner through Friday lunch) are included in the boarding student fee. Commuters eat lunch and dinner with the boarding students – those meals are included in your camp fee.

Commuters

Students who drive to camp will be provided with a parking permit. Commuters may park in the free lot next to the music building. Boarding students are not permitted to leave campus or use their cars during the camp week.

Tentative Schedule

Sunday

  • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Registration – McAlister Lobby
    2:00 – 4:50 Dorms open for move in (you must register in McA lobby first!)
    5:00 Information Meeting – McAlister Auditorium (campers and parents)
    5:45 Parents depart
    6:00 Dinner
    7:00 – 8:15 Ensemble Seating and Rehearsal
    Senior Band – D-13 Junior Band – HH
    Symphony Orchestra – McA String Orchestra – DRH
    8:30 Camp Meeting – DRH (sit by hall)
    9:10 Music Building Tour (commuters may be picked up in front of the Music Bldg. at 9:20)
    9:30 In Dorms – Hall Meetings
    10:30 In Rooms
    11:00 Lights Out

Monday-Thursday

  • 7:30 – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast
  • 8:00-9:00 Private lessons (for those registered).
  • 8:30 Camp Meeting – DRH (all campers and counselors)
  • 8:45-10:15 Rehearsals (Sr Band – D-13; String Orch – McA); Sectionals (Jr Band & Sym Orch – locations on reverse)
  • 10:15 Break
  • 10:30-12:00 Rehearsals (Jr Band – D-13; Sym Orch – McA); Sectionals (Sr Band & String Orch – locations on reverse)
  • 12:10-1:00 Lunch
  • 1:15-1:45 Recital Half-Hour (Monday/Tuesday: Faculty | Wednesday: Counselors | Thursday: Camp Chamber Groups*
  • 2:00-5:00 PM Private Lessons (okay to come late/leave early from electives when scheduled)
  • 2:00-2:50 Elective 1 / Free Time^
  • 2:50 Transition
  • 3:00-3:50 Elective 2 / Free Time^
  • 3:50 Transition
  • 4:00-4:50 Elective 3 / Free Time^
  • 4:50 Transition
  • 5:00-5:45 Dinner
  • 5:45-7:15 PM Private Lessons (okay to come late/leave early from other activity when scheduled)
  • 6:00-7:00 Evening Rehearsals (M/W: Sr. Band, D-13; Jr. Band, HH | T/Th: SymOrch, D-13; String Orch, HH)
  • 7:00 Transition
  • 7:15 Attendance Check-in by Hall (DRH)/Camp Meeting
  • 7:30 Evening Activity
  • 9:00 Announcements
  • 9:30 In Dorms
  • 10:30 In Rooms
  • 11:00 Lights Out

*THURSDAY (adjusted times)
1:15-2:15 – Camp Chamber Recital
2:30-3:10 – Elective 1
3:20-4:00 – Elective 2
4:10-5:00 – Elective 3

^All students are assigned 2 electives and 1 block of free
time (practice/lessons, counselor activity, nap/dorm).

Friday

  • 7:30 am Breakfast
  • 8:30 Dress Rehearsals (times depending on ensembles)
    Dorm Move-Outs – PARENTS meet at dorms and load belongings
  • 11:00 am All Dorm Check-Out Completed
  • 11:00-1:15 pm DH open for Lunch
  • Campers’ lunch provided; parents may pay to eat in DH if they wish (card only).
  • 1:20 Case storage (room depends on ensemble)
  • 1:30 Students report for concert/Parents to audience.
  • 2:00 pm Camp Concerts!

^All students are assigned 2 electives and 1 block of free
time (practice/lessons, counselor activity, nap/dorm).

Contact Us

Directors:

Dr. Sue Samuels, Camp Co-Director and Band Division Coordinator
864-294-3193
[email protected]

Dr. David Stanley, Camp Co-Director and Counselor Supervisor
864-294-2223
[email protected]

String Division Coordinator:

Dr. Christopher Hutton
864-294-2019
[email protected]

Administrators:

Emily Sweezey, Director of Administration and Operations
864.294.2118
[email protected]

Jill Gusukuma, Administrative Assistant for Ensembles
864-294-2073
[email protected]

Registration and Payment