• 5th Grade Honor Band – up to 100 students
• 6th Grade Honor Band – up to 100 students
Students were nominated by school band directors or private instructors. Effort will be made to include students from every participating school.
• Minimum: 2 students per director
• Maximum: 1 student per 10 in the program
This festival is designed especially to reach
students who may not yet have experienced an
honor band or large-scale festival, providing an inspiring first opportunity to work with nationally recognized composers and conductors.
"Honor band is a chance to give students a more unique experience playing in band. Sometimes we get so stuck in playing the same songs year after year and are nervous to take chances on more challenging music. Honor band is a great way for those kids who are excelling at a faster rate to experience that type of music. Also, it gets them to work and learn how other teachers run rehearsals besides who they are used to. This is a very valuable skill. Of course, meeting new people is always an added bonus!"
"It helped my students see a larger band world outside of our small school and gave them an experience to be proud of and learn new skills for their level."
"My students had the opportunity to play and perform music with a larger group of students that they would not normally have. After having this opportunity they WANT to be better players and be challenged more."
"My kids were very eager to practice the music, it gave my high kids recognition, they were nervous and wanted to do well in front of kids from other schools so it definitely motivated them to practice more at home."
"My students continue to talk about the festival and how much they really enjoyed it. They are already talking about next year! I can tell they learned a lot in a short amount of time and I'm so incredibly grateful that they were able to have this experience."
"Hearing what is possible with 5th/6th grade students who put in the time and effort just like them, was inspirational. It helped them see what is possible at this early beginning level and I believe that investment will pay dividends in their future in music and band."
"My students 'loved the whole day!' Having the opportunity to be around others who cared about their playing was very apparent to them. They also appreciated the high expectations of the directors. They also thought the snacks were 'cool'."
"Honor band is a chance to give students a more unique experience playing in band. Sometimes we get so stuck in playing the same songs year after year and are nervous to take chances on more challenging music. Honor band is a great way for those kids who are excelling at a faster rate to experience that type of music. Also, it gets them to work and learn how other teachers run rehearsals besides who they are used to. This is a very valuable skill. Of course, meeting new people is always an added bonus!"
"It helped my students see a larger band world outside of our small school and gave them an experience to be proud of and learn new skills for their level."
"My students had the opportunity to play and perform music with a larger group of students that they would not normally have. After having this opportunity they WANT to be better players and be challenged more."
"My kids were very eager to practice the music, it gave my high kids recognition, they were nervous and wanted to do well in front of kids from other schools so it definitely motivated them to practice more at home."
"My students continue to talk about the festival and how much they really enjoyed it. They are already talking about next year! I can tell they learned a lot in a short amount of time and I'm so incredibly grateful that they were able to have this experience."
"Hearing what is possible with 5th/6th grade students who put in the time and effort just like them, was inspirational. It helped them see what is possible at this early beginning level and I believe that investment will pay dividends in their future in music and band."
"My students 'loved the whole day!' Having the opportunity to be around others who cared about their playing was very apparent to them. They also appreciated the high expectations of the directors. They also thought the snacks were 'cool'."