Marching Percussion Camp
Thom Hannum's Mobile Percussion Seminar
For 32 years — MPS is the perfect camp for your high school and junior high percussionists.
About MPS Summer Camp
The program offered by the Mobile Percussion Seminar is carefully designed to develop the mental and physical aspects of percussion performance through Technique, Reading, and Musicianship.
Emphasis is placed on establishing a positive attitude, leadership skills, and a uniform playing style.
Drumline: Battery Percussion
Fundamentals of technique, reading, and musicianship are taught for snare drum, multi-tenors, bass drum, and hand cymbals. Battery percussion students are assigned to a group according to their ability level.
Keyboards: Front Ensemble
Students work throughout the camp as a separate ensemble and with the full marching ensemble. Focus is spent on technique and reading fundamentals.
Ready to register?
Start your student’s registration on the next page and sign them up for the percussion education experience of a lifetime!
Info for Parents
We understand that parents have a variety of questions. We’ve pulled together a list of resources to try to make things as easy as possible. Please let us know if you feel we’ve missed anything.
MPS Dormitory
MPS students are always housed in the Southwest Living Area, located on the UMass Amherst campus (section B5 on the campus map).
Helpful Links
Important note
Once registered, each student will receive a packet in the mail which contains the following:
- Welcome Letter
- Health Forms
- Packing Checklist
- Directions to UMass
- Campus Map
Ready to register?
Start your student’s registration on the next page and sign them up for the percussion education experience of a lifetime!
MPS FAQ
Questions regarding Camp procedures, health and safety, documents and registration, or other student-related business should be directed to our Business Coordinator at office@percussion.org.
Snare sticks, books, and other Mobile Percussion Seminar products will be on sale at the Seminar.
Who should attend MPS?
Camp is open to any high school or middle school/junior high percussionist.
Non-percussionists are welcome, but the material requires a basic understanding of percussion technique.
Should I bring my own equipment?
ALL STUDENTS should bring their own sticks, mallets, and a practice pad!
Snares, tenors, basses, and cymbals should make every effort to bring their own instruments and harnesses.
If this is logistically impossible, equipment can be provided by request. Email us at office@percussion.org.
Keyboard players should bring portable instruments if available, otherwise instruments will be provided at the seminar.
Where are students housed?
Seminar students will be housed in a dormitory in the Southwest Residential Area of campus.
Dorms consist of double-occupancy rooms. No student will be assigned a room to him/herself.
Placement of students in rooms is based on age and gender.
There are NO co-ed rooms. Males and females are housed on separate floors. Males are NOT permitted in females’ rooms and vice versa.
Are the dorms supervised?
MPS assigns one staff member per 10 students. This includes both Professional and TA Staff.
The staff rooms are placed strategically on all floors of the dorm.
Bed checks are done every night to ensure that all Seminar students are accounted for.
What is building security like?
The dormitory is locked 24 hours a day.
No other camps at UMass are housed in or have access to our dorm.
Seminar students will receive a swipe card that serves as their admittance pass to the dormitory.
Please note: The swipe card also serves as each student’s meal ticket to the Dining Commons.
Lost or Damaged Keys/Access Cards
A fee of $100.00 per card will be charged for any lost or damaged residence hall keys.
A fee of $25.00 per card will be charged for any lost or damaged access cards.
Any key or access card not returned on checkout day will be considered lost and billed to you.
Credits will not be given for keys or access cards returned after the designated checkout date.
Additionally, there is charge for any room lock outs that occur during the Seminar.
Where are meals provided?
All meals are provided for the Seminar students at the Berkshire Dining Commons.
The cost of meals is included in the camp tuition.
We recommend bringing some additional money for snacks and drinks from the vending machines (small bills, as there is nowhere to make change).
Can I buy sticks, books, etc?
Yes, snare sticks, books, and other Mobile Percussion Seminar products will be available for sale at the Seminar.
Additional Questions
Questions regarding Camp procedures, health and safety, documents and registration, or other student-related business should be directed to our Business Coordinator at office@percussion.org.