Middle School Concert Band Academy 2026 Digital Handbook
Welcome from the Middle School Concert Band Academy Directors
Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to the 2026 Middle School Concert Band Academy! We are pleased that you have decided to spend this week with us. Our staff of conductors, teachers and counselors are eager to get to know you and to be of service to you during your exploration of music. We encourage you to be open to new ideas and to meeting new people during the academy — we all have a great deal to learn from one another! Let the music making, learning and fun begin!
Sincerely,
David Hedgecoth and Diane Ballard, program directors
Required Permission Forms — Due prior to arrival
Shortly after registering, all parents/guardians received permissions forms via DocuSign. Once signed, the forms are automatically forwarded to the student participant, who must also sign and submit. All forms MUST be signed electronically soon after receipt in order to participate in the program.
- If you have not yet submitted these forms, please do so right away. You should have received the forms via email. If you cannot locate them please email YouthSummerMusic@osu.edu.
Contact Information
Note: Cell numbers are staff's personal numbers. For emergency only!
Youth Summer Music Programs Director
Angela Heck Mueller
Office: 614-292-5495
Cell: 937-307-3498 for emergency only
Middle School Concert Band Academy Directors
David Hedgecoth
Office: 614-292-2870
Cell: 407-921-2468 for emergency only
Diane Ballard
Cell: 614-204-5144 for emergency only
Camp Administrator
Chris Dent
Office: 614-292-5272
Email: youthsummermusic@osu.edu
Questions about camp?
- Questions about registration, payment or logistics? Email YouthSummerMusic@osu.edu.
- Questions regarding curriculum? Email Professor David Hedgecoth at hedgecoth.1@osu.edu.
- Visit Youth Summer Music Programs Frequently Asked Questions.
Sunday Orientation Meeting — June 21
Timashev Family Music Building, 1900 College Rd.
Parking
Park at Arps Garage, 1990 College Rd.
- The entrance to Arps Garage is on 18th Ave. which runs between High St. and College Rd.
- Exit the garage onto College Rd. and head south. It is a short walk to the Timashev Music Building.
- See the map in the section below.
Visit CampusParc for more information on campus parking, including fees.
Check-in will take place in the South Music Commons
- 3 p.m. for Woodwinds and Percussion
- 5 p.m. for Brass
What to bring on Sunday:
- All students should bring their instruments to Sunday's meeting.
- Percussionists should bring snare sticks and/or mallets only.
- All students should prepare a short piece you enjoy playing to demonstrate your ability, and a scale of your choice (optional). This is not an audition, rather a short musical check-in so we can assign parts most appropriately. Students, this is low-stress, no stress!
Questions? Email the program administrator at YouthSummerMusic@osu.edu.
What to Bring Every Day
- Your instrument and accessories
- Folding music stand, if you have one
- Writing utensils
- Water bottle
- A device or paper for keeping notes
Packed lunch and beverage
- Wear comfortable summer clothes
- Sweater or sweatshirt, as air-conditioned rooms can become cool
- Umbrella or light rain jacket might also be needed
Meals
Students should bring a packed lunch and beverage every day.
We do not allow students to go off campus for meals.
Schedule
- Sunday 6/21:
- Woodwinds and Percussion: 3–4:30 p.m.
- Brass: 5–6 p.m.
Note: Daily drop-off • 8–8:20 a.m. / Daily pick-up • 3:45–4 p.m.
Drop-off / Pick-up occurs in various locations, by instrument. See section below.
- Monday 6/22: 8:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
- Tuesday 6/23: 8:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
- Wednesday 6/24: 8:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
- Thursday 6/25: 8:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
- Friday 6/26: 8:30 a.m.– the program ends after the 4 p.m. Finale Concert — Open to the public
Daily Drop-off/Pick-up Locations
Daily Drop-off — Monday–Friday, 8–8:20 a.m.
- After the first day of the program, use the Ohio Union South Loop (circular driveway) off of 12th Ave for daily drop-off.
- See "Student Drop-off" marked on the map in the section above.
- Program staff will be onsite to escort students to and from the drop-off/pick-up area.
This loop is a fire lane.
Though it can be used as a loading zone, please remain with your car at all times and be prepared to move immediately in the event of an emergency.
Daily Pick-up
Afternoon pick-up will take place at three separate locations to expedite the process.
Maps of the pick-up locations and your pick-up location assignment (by instrument) will be handed out at the orientation meeting on Sunday, June 21.
On Friday, students will leave with their parents following the finale concert.
Pick-up Locations
- Trumpet or trombone — Jesse Owens South (JOS) Recreation Center Parking Lot (11th and Highland).
- Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, euphonium, or tuba — Union South Loop driveway (located on W. 12th Ave). This is the same as the morning drop-off location.
- Saxophone (alto, tenor, or bari) or percussion — Ohio Stadium Northeast parking lot (411 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus, OH 43210).
Public Concert and Parking — for families and guests
Parents and family members are welcome to attend the Finale Concert.
Finale Concert • Friday • 4 p.m.
The program will officially end after the concert.
Parking
- Park at Arps Garage, 1990 College Rd.
- The entrance to Arps Garage is on 18th Ave. which runs between High St. and College Rd.
- See the map in the section above.
Visit CampusParc for more information on campus parking, including fees.
Meet Your Hosts
Learn more about The Ohio State University School of Music by exploring our website. We also invite you to follow us on social media to keep up with our full schedule of free concerts and events, outreach programs, news and more. Some items of interest:
- Professor David Hedgecoth
- School of Music Admissions
- Tanya Sparks, admissions specialist
- Admissions Events for prospective students
- Subscribe to our e-newsletter OVATION! for news, concert and event updates.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus for Middle School Concert Band Academy 2026!