“Too often they put their instruments down on the last day of school and don’t pick them up until school starts again. The teacher has to spend a lot of valuable time rehashing things they taught the previous school year. The more we can involve kids with the love of music the better chance of them continuing with their music education,” Cohen says.

Potential campers were given music on the last day of school to practice until camp began.

“That way they’d be ready when camp started,” she says. “We want them to keep playing as much as they can.”

Campers will receive instruction from Stacey Hiner on oboe, flute, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone and percussion. 

Tracy Garula will provide instruction on strings including violin, viola, cello and bass. 

There will also be opportunities for students to play in ensembles such as quartets, brass choirs and jazz combos.

“We’ve got a young, dedicated bunch of teachers who are eager to help the kids,” says Evelyn Holbrook at DFCE. “And Musicfest was kind enough to get involved. It’s a great way to expand the program. That’s how you develop a better high school program. Start early.”

At the conclusion of camp, family and friends are invited to a concert at 7 p.m., Aug. 3, in the courtyard at el Pedregal.

 Instructors are available to provide extra help and individual instruction on all instruments.

“One of our goals was to have fine young musicians from the community perform alongside the kids to hopefully inspire them,” Cohen says. “We’ve got musicians from the Phoenix Chamber Brass Group who are going to help. They’re all master’s of music education students at ASU.

“Jesse Chavez, a second‑year master’s student, is one of the students who will help. He said the mission statement of his group is to be an advocate for music education throughout the Valley by working with school‑age children in different capacities.”

There are 40 students enrolled in the camp with room for more in the string section.

“We’ve got lots of fun stuff planned,” she says. “We’ve got instructors for a variety of instruments.”

Cost is $150, plus a $20 registration fee, and includes a T‑shirt and CD recording of the final concert at el Pedregal.

“All monies generated go right back into the camp,” Cohen says. “The teachers all said they didn’t mind if they didn’t make very much for their work. They are just interested in teaching and helping the kids learn. To me, that is a dedicated teacher.”

Arizona Musicfest offers students assistance needing help paying fees. Applications should be made through the student’s band or strings instructor.

“Musicfest is providing scholarships and Community Education is charging the registration fee that will go right back into the camp,” Cohen says. “The school district is providing the space and the principal to oversee everything. It’s a nice partnership. It’s a win‑win situation for everybody.”

Music camp will be conducted at Sonoran Trails Middle School, 5555 E. Pinnacle Vista Drive in Cave Creek.

For information or to register, call (480) 575‑2075. Visit the DFCE page of the Cave Creek Unified School District Web site at ccusd.93.org to obtain a catalog or registration form. Hard copies are available at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, located at 33606 N. 60th St. in Cave Creek.