Band at the Beach musical summer camp will launch its 22nd year beginning Monday, Aug. 2. The camp, designed for seventh- through 12th-graders with at least two years of school experience and/or private lessons, still has room for a few more musicians. The intensive, five-day camp culminates in a public concert Friday, Aug 6. “It helps me keep up on my practice routine,” said Point Loma High School junior Kyra McClelland. This will be McClelland’s second year participating in the camp. She said she enjoys making friends with band members in different schools and looks forward to possibly running into them again at future band competitions. McClelland, 16, participates in the marching, concert and jazz bands at Point Loma High. McClelland said she finds the camp fun and enjoys all aspects of it. She noted that band members practice a wide variety of music, from pieces that involve clapping and singing to music from “Star Wars.” “Camps like Band at the Beach and the San Diego Summer Music Institute (another camp in town running right now) provide students with fantastic opportunities and a very important chance to do some playing over the summer,” said James Sepulvado, instrumental music director at Point Loma High School. Sepulvado will also be participating in the camp for the second year in a row. Last year, he played with the students. This year, he will be conducting a few pieces. Dell Schroeder, a local music teacher and member of the California Band Directors’ Association, created Band at the Beach 22 years ago in response to cuts in local school music programs. She happily describes herself as a “Bible-thumping music advocate.” The camp is only one week each year, but involves practically year-round preparation. The program has grown from eight students initially to about 80 students in recent years. With such a large number of young musicians coming together for a week, the camp is able to attract top-quality instructors. “There is no better way for a student to excel at their instrument than to hear a professional player play, and to have that opportunity for a week with them in person is really phenomenal,” Sepulvado said. This year, Schroeder will have a multitude of instructors helping. In addition, she often has alumni of the program return to mentor at the camp. Schroeder noted one major change over the years has been with the instruments that children are comfortable playing. She said more boys are playing flutes and piccolos than 20 years ago, and more girls are playing tubas in recent years. The young musicians come from all over the county and represent about 26 different schools. The camp still has openings, especially for tuba players, Schroeder said. The cost is $185 per child, which includes a T-shirt and a nutrition break. The funds help the not-for-profit organization purchase sheet music and pay some of the instructors. The camp is held at Correia Middle School, 4302 Valeta St., from Aug. 2 to 6, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.bandatthebeach.org.