Gregory Xavier Whitmore, Cal State Fullerton associate professor of music and conductor of University Symphonic Winds, was invited to serve as the conductor of the High School Concert Band at the Cazadero Music Camp this past summer.
Whitmore, who is also the music director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, spent seven days in July in Northern California collaborating with more than 60 students in the Cazadero Music Camp High School Concert Band. The group had two rehearsals per day, which culminated in a concert in the stunning Cazadero Music Camp outdoor amphitheater under the Northern California redwoods.
Since its inception in 1957, the Cazadero Music Camp has inspired generations of musicians and is one of Northern California’s most popular summer youth music camps. Cazadero serves a diverse student body of over 1,200 young musicians every year, ages 9 to18.
As the conductor for one of the large ensembles at the camp, Whitmore had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the finest high school instrumental musicians in the Bay Area, as well as join an esteemed faculty of fellow conductors and collegiate instrumental musicians. Additionally, Whitmore’s residency at the Cazadero Music Camp featured opportunities to mentor and coach future collegiate-level music majors, and to spend time discussing his own “path to the podium” with camp participants.
The Cazadero Summer Camp High School Concert Band received a standing ovation at the conclusion of their concert with Whitmore.
One ensemble participant told him: “Dr. Whitmore, it was wonderful working with you. The band sounded great, thank you for your work in inspiring participating students.”
After a wonderful summer conducting at Cazadero, Whitmore looks forward to returning to campus this fall to conduct the Cal State Fullerton University Symphonic Winds in concert in Meng Concert Hall on Oct. 11 at 3 p.m.