For the past 62 years, the Smith Walbridge Clinics have provided valuable instruction for members of marching bands from all around the nation and around the world.

The clinic began in 1949 in Syracuse, Ind., by Merl Smith and Dr. Charles Henzie, director of the Butler University marching band, according to the Smith Walbridge website. Originally a baton twirling camp for high school and college students, Smith Walbridge has since expanded to nine individual camps related to marching band, said Barry Houser, clinic director.

“The camp started in 1949 in Syracuse, Indiana, so this is our 62nd year,” Houser said. “It started off as a baton twirling camp, and it expanded throughout the years to (instruct) drum majors, marching percussion, marching band.(and provide) directors workshops. So, in total, we actually run nine different camps in the time period of three weeks.”

Smith-Walbridge has been held at Eastern for 12 years, Houser said, which could be attributed to former clinic director and current instructor Gary Smith.

“This is our 12th year here, and a lot of it started when Gary Smith.served as an interim marching band director here (at Eastern) in 2000,” Houser said. “He fell in love with the facilities, talked with Housing, and got a much better rate, because at Illinois things were really pricey.”

The clinic, which is in its second week, will host over 1,100 students by the end of next week, according to Houser. There will be 500 of these students attending the two drum major sessions that began on Monday and run through July 29.

“This year we have over 1,100 students from over 30 states and three different countries,” Houser said.

Claire Herbst, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., said drum majors direct a marching band and help improve the band’s performance.

“Drum majors direct the band, but also do the behind-the-scenes work like helping people perfect their marching, and putting (music) scores together and making sure everything runs tidily,” Herbst said.

Whether it was their first or third year in attendance, clinic participants said they had gained valuable experience from the camp, and were able to use their skills with their own marching bands.

Conor Sprunger, a high school senior from Jackson, Mich., is in his second year at the camp.

He said he has learned a lot, like keeping his posture and the energy they teach is each to go back and convey to our bands.

“It teaches good fundamentals,” said Eric Schallenbarger of Pana, Illinois. “It’s a good camp if you’re wanting to learn, but if you aren’t willing to work at all, it’s probably not for you.”

Even though he was a senior, Sprunger said he intended to continue participating in marching band in college and possibly come back as a Smith Walbridge intern.

“I plan on it,” Sprunger said about continuing marching band. “I plan on also coming back to be [a clinic] intern if I can.”

According to Houser, Smith Walbridge will continue to be held at Eastern for the immediate future.

“[We’ve] found it’s a great place to have camp, and it’s been wonderful.We don’t have any plans to change [locations], and hopefully EIU doesn’t either.”

Greg Sainer can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected]