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Upbeat! Middle School Band Camp for PENSACOLA, FL has been CANCELLED for June 2024. Thanks for checking us out!

Upbeat! Middle School Band Camp is just what our name implies; a positive, energetic, fun camp that encourages students to excel. It is open to all students currently (23-24 school year) in 8th grade or younger who already play a band instrument. Our team of educators, conductors, and professional performers will provide instruction in full band, instrument coaching, master classes, and clinics in maximizing practice time and scoring high on auditions. 

Upbeat! Jazz Band Camp is designed to equip and encourage students who have at least one year of playing experience in learning all styles of jazz, rock, and pop music. Whether you’ve never played jazz at all, or you are an accomplished member of your school jazz group, or somewhere in between, this camp is for you. Our focus will be on learning and mastering jazz/rock/pop styles and improvising solos. Ensembles will be grouped by ability and experience. All instruments are welcome.

Upbeat! Drum Camps (both sessions) have been CANCELLED for June 2024 due to insufficient registration. Thanks for checking us out!

Children of all ages love playing drums. Upbeat! Drum Camp offers a fun and encouraging opportunity to explore a variety of percussion instruments including snare drum, drum set, bucket drums, bongos, tambourine and many, many more. There will be two ability tracks available:

Beginning Track (no experience) - Students will learn the basics of playing percussion instruments, reading music, and performing in an ensemble.

Advanced Track (at least 1 yr. experience) – Students will learn advanced techniques on all percussion instruments to take their playing to the next level. 

This year, our camp will be held at Pensacola Catholic High School in the music suite. 

Session 1 is June 3-8, 1 PM to 4 PM. 

Session 2 is June 10 – 13 from 9:00 AM t0 12:00 Noon. Cost for the entire week is $125.00.  

Guitar Camp  is just what our name implies; a positive, energetic, fun camp that encourages students to explore and excel. Guitar Camp is open to students ages 8 – 18 who already play or want to learn to play guitar/bass guitar. There will be two tracks:

Track 1: Beginning track. Students will learn basic skills in tuning, strum patterns, and note/tab reading. 

Track 2: Intermediate/Advanced track. Instruction will be targeted to each student’s ability level to maximize individual growth. 

Each student will provide his/her own acoustic or electric guitar or bass guitar. If you wish to purchase a new guitar, we can help you get a quality guitar at a discounted price.

Both sessions will be held at Pensacola Catholic High School in the music suite. 

Session 1 is June 10 – 13 from 1:00 PM through 4:00 PM. Session 2 is July 15-18.

Cost for each session is $125.00.  

Denny Turner is currently the Director of Performing Arts at Pensacola Catholic High School. He is completing his 46th year in education as a director, lead teacher, and principal. He is also a professional performer, clinician, consultant, and adjudicator. Upbeat! Music Camps was founded in 1992 to give young music students an opportunity to learn, grow, excel and have fun during the summer. Denny enjoys serving on the Board of Directors for the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. He is quick to tell you that he's never met a kid he didn't like.