Brass and Percussion Festivals
Whether you are looking to sharpen your technique over the summer or find inspiration during the academic year, the University of Northern Colorado’s music festivals and camps offer unparalleled opportunities for growth. From middle school beginners to seasoned adult players, our events are designed to foster community and excellence in the heart of the Colorado brass and percussion scene.
2026 UNC Trumpet Day
Join the University of Northern Colorado for a day dedicated to the artistry, technique, and community of the trumpet. This year, we gather to honor the enduring legacy of UNC Emeritus Professor Bill Pfund. Whether you are a student, educator, or hobbyist, come experience a full schedule of master classes, pedagogical workshops, and inspiring performances. Featuring world-class guest artists alongside UNC faculty and students, it’s an immersive celebration of everything brass.
Join us at UNC for Trumpet Day—a day of master classes, clinics, and incredible performances. It’s FREE and open to all ages and skill levels. Don’t miss your chance to learn from the best and connect with the Colorado brass community.
2026 Summer Band Camp
June 22-27, 2026
Greeley, CO
After completing the registration form, you will be redirected to your portal where you can pay camp fees via credit card or bank account and sign the waiver forms.
Room & Board
Double Occupancy—$350
Single Occupancy—$405
Students living in Greeley, CO, may elect to attend as a commuter and pay the tuition only.
Camp Information
2025 Brass & Percussion Day
Morning
- 8:30 a.m. Check In
- 9 a.m. Brass Warm-up Class
- 9:30 a.m. Percussion Fundamentals Class
- 10 a.m. Large Ensemble Rehearsal
- 11 a.m. Clinics
- Jazz Trombone
- Performance Anxiety
- Classical Trumpet
- Percussion All-State
- 12 p.m. Lunch & Visit Exhibits
Afternoon
- 1:30 p.m. Clinics
- Euphonium/Tuba Clinic
- Improv Clinic
- Percussion Masterclass with Tim Feerst
- 2:30 p.m. Clinics
- Jazz Trumpet All-State Clinic
- Classical Trombone Clinic
- Horn Clinic
- Practice Techniques Clinic
- Percussion Masterclass with Caleb Pickering
- 3:30 p.m. Student Groups Dress Rehearsal
- 4:30 p.m. Break
- 5-7 p.m. Final Concert
Meet Our Guest Artists
Lantana Trio
Formed in 2018, Lantana Trio consists of current and past faculty members from the University of North Texas: Raquel Samayoa on trumpet, Stacie Mickens on horn, and Natalie Mannix (retired) on trombone. Lantana Trio has presented recitals at the 2025 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention, 2022 International Trombone Festival, the 2022 and 2019 International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC), the 2021 National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Conference (NACWPI), and the 2020 Big XII Trombone Conference. They were featured soloists with the UNT Wind Symphony, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, 2023 PRIZM Music Camp & International Chamber Music Festival, and performed and served as faculty at the first brass festival for women in Mexico, the 2023 Festival Internacional De Mujeres Instrumentistas de Metal (FIMIM).
Advocates for diversity in the arts, Lantana Trio’s new album, Crossing Barriers, features pieces by underrepresented composers, including five new commissions. The album has garnered awards including the Silver Medal for the 2023 Global Music Award, 3rd place in the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music (professional chamber ensembles division) of the 2024 American Prize, and a Special Judges’ Citation for Outstanding album of new music for brass trio (Chamber Ensembles category) of the 2024 American Prize.
Members of Lantana Trio were the co-hosts of the International Women’s Brass Conference hosted at the University of North Texas in May of 2022.
Caleb Pickering
Dr. Caleb Pickering (1990) is an accomplished percussionist, composer, and educator, currently serving as Assistant Professor of Percussion at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. An active performer, Caleb has presented his original works at international venues, including a featured solo recital at the Taipei National Bioinnovation Park Concert Hall in Taiwan (2024), and performances at the American Percussion Symposium (2021) and Birmingham Symphony Hall (2019).
Caleb is a highly sought-after clinician, providing masterclasses, clinics, adjudication, and guest lectures at numerous national and international institutions and events such as the American Percussion Symposium, Phonon Percussion Festival, Australian Percussion Eisteddfod Competition, and World Percussion Group.
As a composer, Caleb regularly receives commissions from universities, professional ensembles, and soloists worldwide. His works are performed internationally, have become staples in percussion repertoire, and are available through major music retailers.
His contributions to percussion have earned him recognition, including being a finalist for the American Prize in Composition for his works *An Assembly of Outrage* and *Beneath*. Caleb was composer-in-residence for the World Percussion Group International Tour (2019) and a semi-finalist in the Italy Percussive Arts Society International Competition (2018). He has been featured in numerous interviews and scholarly publications.
Caleb is also known as a co-host of the @percussion podcast, which has garnered over 150,000 listens and 25,000 hours of listening time, alongside colleagues Casey Cangelosi, Ksenija Komljenović, Ben Charles, and Karli Viña.
He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance from James Madison University (2020), a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (2015), and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce (2012).
Caleb holds artist sponsorships with Tama|Bergerault Instruments, Innovative Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, Gon Bops Percussion, Heritage Musical Spoons, and Beetle Percussion.
Meet Our Brass Faculty
Daniel J. Cosio
Assistant Professor of Trombone
Dayvison Costa
Assistant Professor of Classical Trumpet
Miles Roth
Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet
Lauren Varley
Adjunct Faculty, Horn
Brian Sugrue
Adjunct Faculty, Low Brass