Thank you for trusting us with enriching your child's musical growth this summer! The Northwestern State University Honor Wind Ensemble camp has a long and storied history for producing exceptional musical experiences that also provide a social outlet to enrich each participant by working with a wellrespected staff and interacting with students from many programs around the region.
Anthony Pursell Director of Bands
For 41 years, this camp has a long and positive reputation, we are constantly listening to our participants and their directors to stay current and explore ways that will enrich each experience.
I look forward to greeting and meeting each of you when you visit our campus this summer and make music at a heightened level!
Fork 'em, Demons!
CAMPUS MAPS ...Registration
Registration will take place in Varnado Hall (yellow star). Traveling east from I-49 on University Parkway, follow the red arrows and turn right into the Varnado horseshoe (after Caspari Street). Parents may park in any lot not designated 'reserved' during registration.
After check-in, students will have a short audition in the New CAPA complex, which is a 2-minute walk behind Varnado (see yellow arrow).
spirit of Northwestern
CAMPUS MAPS ...Housing & Dining
Varnado Hall will be the designated housing for the Honor Wind Ensemble camp. The CAPA complex, housing Magale Recital Hall, will be where rehearsals and other music activities will take place.
Dining will be in Iberville Hall. The dining hall is located at 144 Sam Sibley Drive.
WHAT TO...
spirit of Northwestern ...Bring
Any unpaid balances are due at registration
Bedding: pillow, pillowcase, XLong twin single top and bottom sheet, mattress pad, bedspread, blanket
Medications - see final email for special instructions
Alarm clock, cellphone/tablet, etc. chargers
Snacks for your dorm room that do not require heating of any type (microwave, stove, oven, etc)
Water bottle
Hat & sunscreen
Instrument
Pencil
Audition music for chair placement (we recommend that you use the All-State audition music from this past year or this upcoming year.)
Casual clothes that are suitable for warm weather (note the final email for any special events/activities that may request special clothing consideration)
Appropriate shoes
One pair of blue jeans (the final performance will require blue jeans and the official Summer Camps shirt distributed during the camp)
Housing & Meals
Students are housed in air-conditioned residence hall facilities
Two students per room
Varnado has laundry facilities available for $2.00/load (quarters only)
Some meals will be served in the Iberville Dining Hall
2026 Activities
The activities schedule is based on weather predictions and developing conditions:
Sunday evening: Game Night in Varnado
Monday evening: Lip Sync Battle
Tuesday evening: Varnado Talent Show
Wednesday evening: Color Wars
Thursday evening: Jazz & Chamber Concert /Movie
Night/Just Dance
Friday morning: Honor Wind Ensemble Concert
Infirmary
Services
Participants who become ill and unable to attend sessions must report to the camp staff
7-12
WIND ENSEMBLESchedule June
Sunday, June 7
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Registration/Move into Varnado
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Chair auditions with NSU faculty***
3:00 p.m.
Orientation in Magale Recital Hall
(please have instruments with you)
3:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Concert, Dinner, & Reading Session
9:15 p.m.
Floor Meeting (Varnado)
10:30 p m
Lights Out
*** Chair audition material is selected by the student; we recommend you audition using the all-state etudes from last year or this upcoming year
Monday & Tuesday, June 8 & 9
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
Breakfast 8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Break-out classes
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Sectionals/Rehearsal
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Master classes by NSU faculty
2:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Rehearsal - Magale
3:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Chamber ensembles
5:00 p.m.
Dinner & evening activities
10:00 p m Room Check
10:30 p.m.
Lights Out
Northwestern HONOR
Wednesday, June 10
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Break-out classes
9:30 a m - 11:00 a m
Sectionals/Rehearsal
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Master classes by NSU faculty
2:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Rehearsal - Magale
3:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Chamber ensembles
5:00 p m
KKY Dinner/Cookout
6:30 p.m. - 8:50 p.m.
Rehearsal - Magale
9:00 p.m.
Evening activities
10:00 p.m.
Room Check
10:30 p m
Lights Out
Thursday, June 11
8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Break-out classes
9:20 a m - 11:00 a m
Sectionals
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Master classes by NSU faculty
2:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Rehearsal - Magale
3:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Chamber ensembles
5:00 p m
Dinner with parents or at NSU
7:00 p.m.
Jazz/Chamber (students can be checked out for an evening with their parents after the concert) 11:00 p.m.
