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Camp History

The Midwestern Music Camp was established at the University of Kansas in 1935 by KU's band director, Russell L. Wiley. Wiley had a unique knack for showmanship and salesmanship, and under his leadership the camp grew and flourished, becoming the second largest and second oldest music camp in the United States. The growth peaked out in the late 1960's when the camp was 8 weeks long, and included over 2100 campers, not only in music, but in ballet, journalism, and astronomy.

One of the major strengths of the camp was annual visits by some of the world's most popular conductors and artists, including Andre Previn, Percy Grainger, Sir Vivian Dunn, Carmen Dragon, Victor Alessandro, Weston Noble, Paul Solomonovich, and the leaders of virtually every great American military band and university band.

Music campers have gone on to play in major orchestras, studios, and military bands all over the world; and music camp alumni are teaching in schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States.

Major composers brought their music to be performed by music campers. Roy Harris brought his new work, Cimmaron, Claude T. Smith wrote Citation March to celebrate the 25th anniversary of camp, and Commemoration, Fanfare and Choral to celebrate the 50th anniversary; Mark Hindsley wrote his transcription of Night on Bald Mountain dedicated to Russell L. Wiley, and brought to music camp for its premier performance; and Percy Grainger brought one of his unique wind band settings to Mr. Wiley, and Irish Tune from County Derry became the camp's theme song, and has been played by music campers every year since Mr. Grainger first conducted it here.

Camp 2003 was highlighted with appointment of Colonel Arnald Gabriel as Conductor Laureate for the Midwestern Music Camp. Col. Gabriel enjoyed a brilliant career in the United States Air Force, serving as conductor and Commander of the United States Air Force Band, Symphony, and Singing Sergeants in Washington D.C. Under his leadership, the band established new levels of excellence and became recognized universally as the finest military band in the world. Gabriel first appeared as a conductor at Midwestern Music Camp in 1968, when he accepted the invitation from Russell L. Wiley to join the distinguished group of conductors Mr. Wiley had assembled.

The Midwestern Music Camp has a great tradition, and a very bright future. It is an exciting new musical experience with its roots firmly planted in a great past.