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Prairie Brass Camp and Percussion Workshop Return to U of M: A Summer of Sound, Skill and Success
Four Days of Music and Momentum
Every August, the halls of the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba burst into life with the rhythmic pulse of percussion and the bold resonance of brass. From August 5 to 8, 2025, the Prairie Percussion Workshop and Prairie Brass Camp will once again welcome middle and high school students for four action-packed days of learning, collaboration, and musical growth.
These workshops offer young musicians a chance to sharpen their skills, build strong fundamentals, and deepen their understanding of their craft. Both camps have become staples in Manitoba’s summer band calendar, attracting aspiring student musicians from across the province.
Humble Beginnings and Bold Growth
The Prairie Percussion Workshop, now in its 13th year, was founded in 2012 by Victoria Sparks, percussion instructor at the Desautels Faculty of Music.
“I hoped it would [grow],” said Sparks. “But I know it started in—it was just me and a few friends that I knew were kind of great teachers and great players, kind of begging them to come and do me a favour. We did three days the first year and I had 12 kids. And we had a great time… But over the years, we’ve added days and we’ve added more staff and added more students, and it’s so exciting that it’s kept up.”
Paul Jeffrey, long-time Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra trumpeter and current member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, launched the Prairie Brass Camp more recently, inspired by the success of Sparks' initiative.
“Brass chamber music was one of the things that drove me as a young person… I thought it would be great to get that going for the community here,” he said. “It’s been just a pleasure to have going for the past couple of years.”
With a Little Help from the Manitoba Band Association
Initially a solo operation, the percussion camp found crucial administrative support a few years in from the Manitoba Band Association (MBA).
“The first couple of years that I did it, I did it on my own… and after a couple of years, the band association approached me to say, ‘Hey, we see what you’re doing and we think maybe we could help,’” said Sparks. “They do so much of the work of the administration and the registrations and helping kind of handle the management of multiple camps… They offer wonderful traditional band camps, but we’re able to do our more specialized thing with all of that support.”
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The University of Manitoba’s newly renovated music building provides the ideal setting for both camps.
“We use every single room,” Sparks said with a laugh. “I always go to the office and say I need to book the rooms for camp and they say, ‘Which rooms do you want?’ And I say, ‘All of them.’”
Jeffrey added, “It’s probably the finest in Canada as far as facilities go… It’s a pleasure to be at the Desautels Faculty of Music.”
Curriculum That Hits All the Right Notes
The percussion camp covers the full spectrum of instruments—mallets, snare drum, timpani, world music, auxiliary percussion, and drum set.
“The goal was to help give kids confidence in so many different areas,” said Sparks. “It’s kind of like a school day, but instead of math and English… you go to snare drum class and drum set class and world percussion class and percussion ensemble class.”
For the brass camp, the focus is chamber music—brass quintets, trumpet or trombone ensembles, and other small groups.
“We really try to tailor it directly to the students,” said Jeffrey. “We try to put people together that are going to work well at a certain level.”
Both camps keep class sizes small—about six or seven students per instructor—ensuring high-quality instruction and personalized attention. And if a student’s placement isn’t quite right?
“Sometimes we make changes on the first day and say, ‘Oh, you’re handling all this really well. We’re bumping you up to the next level,’” said Sparks.
Faculty of the Finest Calibre
This year’s percussion faculty will feature the renowned Montreal-based Sixtrum Percussion Ensemble, in Winnipeg as part of an international tour that includes stops in Saskatoon, New York, and France.
“We’re just so delighted that these world-class players from Montreal are going to be our staff for the week,” said Sparks.
Brass faculty includes Dr. Richard Gillis (trumpet), Justin Hickmott (tuba), Steven Dyer (trombone), Michiko Singh (horn), Jeni Taylor (trumpet), and Jeffrey himself.
The Fun Factor: Olympics, House Points and More
Though serious about music, the camps never forget it’s still summer. Sparks has introduced fun activities like “Multiple Percussion Olympics” and team-based competitions.
“I think last year we took instruments apart and tried to make the percussionists put the French horns together,” she laughed. “I might be going a little bit Hogwarts-style this year—where you’re getting points all throughout the day… or getting points taken away if you’re not doing the right thing.”
Music to Inspire: Performances All Week Long
Each day of camp begins with a professional performance, including the Royal Canadian Air Force Brass Quintet, the Sixtrum ensemble, and a staff brass quintet. At week’s end, students showcase what they’ve learned in a series of performances featuring small ensembles and mass groups.
“They get to perform all the pieces they’ve been working on throughout the week,” said Sparks.
Whether you're a budding timpanist, a fearless French horn player, or just eager to level up your musical game, the Prairie Percussion Workshop and Prairie Brass Camp offer an unbeatable summer experience. With world-class faculty, intimate class sizes, hands-on learning, and a healthy dose of fun, these camps don’t just fill the days—they fuel futures. You’ll leave not only a better player, but part of a vibrant community of young musicians inspired to keep growing. If you’re serious about your sound (and not afraid of a little friendly competition), this is where you need to be. Spots are limited—don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly special this August.
Registration Details
Spots are still available—particularly for horn and tuba players in the brass camp. The workshops run August 5–8, 2025.
To register, visit mbband.org/summercamps
