Bocal Majority & Operation O.B.O.E.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Refund Policy
We have a strictly enforced no refunds policy. Please check your schedule carefully before enrolling in our camps.
We are unable to offer refunds on camp tuition for any reason including illness or death in the family.
If cancelling before the camp starts, the cost of pre-purchased items (reeds, tool kits, cane/staples) will be refunded.
When enrolling for one of our events, all individuals enrolling sign and agree to our refund policy.
Why? We staff our camps based on our enrollment numbers (the more students who enroll, the more teachers we hire). We can’t go back and un hire those teachers once they are confirmed, so when people cancel, it means we have to pay those teachers, but if we refund the tuition, we can’t afford to pay those teachers.
Pre-Ordered Items
Q: I pre-ordered some reeds, cane, or a tool kit – when does my student receive those items?
A: We bring those items to the camp and we give any pre-ordered items to the student the first day of the camp. We do NOT ship those to you ahead of time.
Q: Is lunch provided?
A: At most locations lunch is NOT included. The ONLY exception to this is the RGV camp in Mercedes, which does provide lunch. Students at our camps in Dallas, Houston, and Austin should bring a lunch daily. It is not feasible to have meals delivered to the school and students may not leave campus during the day.
Q: Is it ok to miss a full day, full days, or partial days?
A: Yes, while we encourage everyone to attend every second of camp, we do not mind if you have to miss partial or full days. We do ask that you let us know on the enrollment form and also by reaching out to the Camp Director so that we can make sure to plan ahead. For example, missing the first day means we would want to give your student a little extra help on the second day so they can get caught up. And missing the last day means they won’t be at the recital, so we’ll want to make sure their part gets doubled with someone else during the week. We understand that some appointments are very difficult to make (doctors, driving tests, etc…). If there is any way for those to be scheduled not during camp, that would be great, but we’ll work with you if your student needs to miss some of camp.
Q: What should my student wear to camp?
A: Dress is generally casual, but “school appropriate.” If your child would not wear something to school, they should probably not wear that to camp (no clothing with profanity, etc…). Chances are the air conditioning will make the classrooms chilly, so it may not be a bad idea to consider wearing longs instead of shorts, but that is up to you. Not a bad idea to bring a jacket / hoodie in case your child would like to have options.
On Monday, wear neutral color for pants / jeans / shorts / skirts because we will be handing your student a camp shirt to wear for the camp picture, which we take on Monday first thing. They don’t have to wear that shirt all day on Monday, though many people do. But they DO need to wear the camp shirt on Thursday for the final day / recital. So Thursday they should wear a neutral color for pants / jeans / shorts / skirts as well. Tuesday and Wednesday, they do NOT have to wear the camp shirt.
Q: How does it work with reed tools for reed-making class?
A: Every student will be in a reed-making class. You selected one of these options: 1. Rent tools, 2. Buy tools from us, 3. Bring specified tools. If you selected “Bring specified tools,” you must bring the tools that we require. The site manager will check this during registration on the first day. Here is the list of required tools you must bring. Did you select that and you realize now you don’t have all or some of those tools? You can opt to rent a kit from us for the week or you can supplement what you’re missing by buying those items in our camp store when you arrive. Go see the store manager and they will help you get the most economical choice.
Q: Do I need to bring my instrument?
A: Yes, you need your instrument from your school – please ask your band director permission now to keep your instrument through the end of the camp. Sometimes they take all the instruments up for repair in May, but if you let them know ahead of time, they may grant you permission to keep it for the camp (or to get an alternate instrument). We unfortunately cannot provide instruments for the week of the camp.
Q: Will there be a store open at the camp?
A: Yes! We’re bringing our store to YOU at this camp daily. Need a reed? We will have handmade reeds, tools, gifts, swabs, supplies, and much more. The store will be open during registration on Monday, all day, everyday during the camp, and before and after the recital on Thursday (we do not accept Apple Pay or Google Pay – sorry! And no American Express).
Q: What is the right camp for me? Regular or ADRIT ?
A: We offer 1 or 2 camp divisions depending on the location:
- Regular
- ADRIT
For most students, the regular division is the best option. All ability levels are welcome – we will place you in appropriate groups for your age and level.
The ADRIT camp is a special camp for advanced high school and college students by audition only. This camp has a special set of faculty who are conservatory and college professors and symphony players from all over the country. Students at this camp also study reed-making, play in ensembles, and they also study orchestral excerpts and solos in masterclass settings.
The regular division is open to anyone, while the ADRIT camp is by audition only.
Q: What items come in the bassoon reed-making kits?
Q: What items come in the oboe reed-making kits?
Is lunch included?
Q: How does the audition work?
A: The ADRIT division (the advanced division) has an audition sent in by March, but for everyone else there is no audition.
Q: I am an oboe player. Can I learn how to play the English horn?
A: Sometimes, yes. We have instruments at many camps that you may be able to try out. Mention this to your instructor at camp the first day.
Q: I am a bassoonist. Will I have a chance to play on a contra bassoon?
A: Sometimes, yes. We have instruments at many camps that you may be able to try. Mention this to your instructor the first day.
Where do I stay if I am coming from out of town?
For all of our Texas locations, these are what is known as commuter camps, which means we do not offer housing. The camp hours are 10am to 4pm, and students go home to their houses with their parents daily. No housing provided in Texas.
Refund Policy
We are unable to offer refunds on the cost of camp. If cancelling before the camp starts, the cost of pre-purchased items (reeds, tool kits, cane/staples) will be refunded.
What is the EIN for Bocal Majority?
30-0607447