Students will march to the beat of their own drums at the Red River Drum and Auxiliary Camp.
The camp for drummers, color guard members and drum majors will take place July 13-17 at Lake Murray State Park.
“We teach dedication, discipline and leadership so these kids can go on to the next level, college and the world,” camp co-director Jack Francis said.
High school students will work to improve their skills throughout the week with instructors from as far away as Atlanta.
“I’d like to thank Dr. (Ruth Ann) Carr and Mr. (Chris) Kennedy for letting us use their facilities and the people around Ardmore for helping us out,” Francis said.
The campers will perform and show off what they have learned at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Lake Murray Lodge.
The public is invited to attend.
“It’s a fun thing and we just want to give back to the kids,” Francis said.
Kids have been enjoying the camp since the summer of 2003.
“Many of my students that went through the camp are marching at OU, OSU and so on. These kids are the future,” Francis said.
The camp has since grown to include campers from Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas and received recognition from the National Band Association.
“It is good when people around the country know about the facilities here in Ardmore,” Francis said.
The cost for the camp is kept low for students because of donations.
“With the economy the way it is, we ask for donations to keep the cost down. Some small schools can’t afford things like percussion and color guard training,” Francis said.
People who want to donate to the camp should contact Francis at (580) 465-2580.
Free Concert
The Blue Knights, a band from Denver, will teach a clinic and perform a concert on July 15. The concert will be at 7 p.m. at Noble Stadium and is free and open to the public. The band boosters will have a concession stand at the event.
jennifer.lindsey@ardmoreite.com
Jennifer Lindsey, 221-6526
