NORMAL - Teens come from as far as Ohio, Florida, California - even Australia - to attend band camp at Illinois State University in Normal. But some of the more than 1,400 students converging in Normal for the Music For All Symposium say learning about music isn't the only draw.

"It's a great opportunity to become a better person - a better musician - but a better person, too," said Justin Baker, a senior from Hoschton, Ga.

Baker, a percussionist, hasn't attended the camp previously. But he was pleased with the leadership sessions he'd just completed Monday, and said he felt changed for it.

Kelly McCaughan attended the symposium two years as a student. Now the Miami University of Ohio student is in her second year working as an organizer.

She arrived shy, and the week's focus on music and leadership skills helped her gain confidence. "It paves the way for a lot of students to express their selves through leadership," she said.

"And you get to meet new friends and interact with people you'd never know otherwise," said Shannon Fausneaucht, a junior from Mission Viejo, Calif. This is her second year at the camp, and she used myspace.com to stay in touch with friends she'd met last year.

Music For All and Bands of America merged in 2006, and in 2007, the summer camp officially switched its name too, said Debbie Asbill, a spokeswoman for the organization.

Now in its 33rd year, the event has been sponsored by the ISU School of Music on Normal's campus for the past 16 years. In that time, it has gained a reputation for stellar content, according to returning campers and first-time attendees.

While friendships made and leadership skills gained play into the longstanding fan base of this summer course for teens, the heart of Music For All is in the title. The educational reputation is oft-cited by teenagers attending the camp.

"It's gotten really famous with band directors, because people really learn a lot here," said Zach Aralis, a 16-year-old snare drummer from Mission Viejo, Calif.

"It is a life-changing experience. … They really know what they are doing here," said David Chrzanowski, a 16-year-old from Mason, Ohio.

Wisconsin's Wauwatosa East High School color guard member Danielle Steiner agreed. The 16-year-old and her co-captains are breaking into two approaches to bring back different lessons - two are attending flag workshops and the other is going to rifle sessions. "We'll teach each other what we learned," she said.

During the day, students attend separate sessions for drum majors, marching band musicians, and color guard members. There were optional leadership courses over the weekend.

Music For All also offers workshops for educators. New this year is the middle-school teacher track, said Asbill.

Each evening, the 2,000 attendees join others in the campus and community to welcome an earful of entertainment. Asbill anticipates the DCI drum corps competition will be a favorite.

"It's outdoors, and they can all yell and cheer," she said.

The symposium is one of the busiest weeks for ISU each summer.

"I don't think people in town realize just how large this event is," said Rebecca Lee Rich, ISU's conference services director. Besides the students attending the music workshops, more than 500 professional music educators and about 200 high school band directors also are on site.

In all, the music attendees are on campus with people attending a residential basketball camp and ISU Preview orientation sessions for incoming freshman.

"It definitely is the busiest week in the summer here," said Lee Rich.

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GO!

Banding together

The Music For All Symposium's concert series is open to the public. Monday through Thursday events all begin at 8 p.m. in ISU's Braden Auditorium.

Monday: Yamaha Young Performing Artists, free admission.

Tuesday: U.S. Army Field Band, free admission. Reserve tickets at (317) 636-2263.

Wednesday: Barrage, modern Canadian string group. Tickets are $22 at Braden box office and Ticketmaster outlets.

Thursday: The Jeff Coffin Mu'tet with Futureman. Tickets are $22 at Braden box office and Ticketmaster outlets.

Friday: DCI Central Illinois Summer Music Games; drum corps competition, 7 p.m., Hancock Stadium. Tickets $20; available at www.dci.org or by calling (800) 495-7469.

On the Net: www.musicforall.org

SOURCES: Pantagraph archives; ISU Conferencing Unit