Lips were buzzing at Will-Moore Elementary School Monday.

The effect was a mixture of musical bleats, burps and belches as fifth-graders practiced their instruments for the fifth grade band camp. About 250 students from across the district participated.

Teachers worked with the students to play the music in tempo and create the right note. They worked on standard beginner music, like "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "Mary had a Little Lamb" and "Hot Cross Buns."

In the gym, there was a buzz of a different sort: the one made by drum sticks on snare drums. Eight students practiced percussion while quietly counting "1, 2, 3, 4" to keep time with the music. The tattoo of the drum marked half-notes on the odd numbers and quarter notes on each count.

"We're learning to play the drums and the bells," said Hunter Brown, a Northridge Elementary School student.

The bells resemble a glockenspiel, which is a xylophone-type instrument with metal bars. When struck with a round, rubber-tipped mallet, the instrument creates a sound similar to bells.

Last school year, the students tried out a variety of instruments before settling on the ones they played at the band camp. Hunter chose the drums, "because you don't have to buzz your lips," he said.

The camp started last week. Each day ends with the students coming together in the gym to play.

"When we play with a full band," is his favorite part of the day, said Jonathan Valnes, a Miller Elementary School student.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)