This fall, Christian R. will leave Dallas ISD for the University of Texas, where he plans to study music education.
Before beginning that next chapter, the recent Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at A. Maceo Smith graduate, returned to a place that helped shape his own musical journey: the Dallas Winds Summer Band Camp.
“I like taking the master classes, meeting the instructors, and learning from them,” Christian said.
He attended the summer camp for five years, growing from a young clarinet player into a student leader and future educator. He credits much of that growth to the relationships he built.
“When I first came here, I met the clarinet faculty, and they became mentors to me,” he said.
Now, his favorite part of camp is returning to learn from those mentors during master classes and reconnecting with fellow musicians.
Christian’s story is one example of how the Dallas Winds Summer Band Camp helps Dallas ISD students develop their talents and explore future opportunities.
Held at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, the camp provides professional instruction and master classes for young musicians across the district. Instruments are available at no cost, helping ensure students have access to the opportunity regardless of their background.
For Greer C., a clarinet player at J.L. Long Middle School, attending camp meant stepping outside her comfort zone and playing alongside older students.
“You know they’re going to be more experienced than you, but you get to learn from them,” she said.
Matthew A., a rising freshman at Booker T., said this is his second year attending the camp, which has become part of his summer routine.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “You meet people and get better at your instrument.”
For Christian, returning to camp each summer was more than a tradition. It was a reminder of how far he has come and how much further he hopes to go. As he prepares to begin his college journey, he leaves behind a five-year connection to a program that helped shape his growth as a musician.
And, while his days as a camper may be ending, his connection to the program may not be. He may one day find himself back at Booker T., not as a student, but helping inspire the next generation of musicians.
