Throughout the year there are many opportunities for students to participate in honor bands. This is by no means a comprehensive list. Almost all college/university music departments host a program for high school students at some point during the year. Often participation requires an audition and/or a recommendation of your high school band director. Transportation is not provided. PLEASE VERIFY YOUR AVAILABILITY & GET PARENT PERMISSION BEFORE BEING ASKED TO BE NOMINATED, ETC.
MMEA All–State Band
Performing in the Minnesota Music Educators Association All-State Band Program is one of the most prestigious state-level honors a high school musician can achieve. After a student is selected, they get to participate in a six day long summer camp featuring the best players from across the state of Minnesota to perform in Jazz, Choir, and Concert Band. Students will be housed for the week at the chosen College or University site and participate in clinics and rehearsals to perform a concert at the end of the week as well as another few rehearsals and concert during the MMEA festival in February. The audition is recorded and must be submitted by February 25th.
https://mmea.org/events/all-state/auditions/
MBDA Honor Bands
The Minnesota Band Directors Association sponsors two honor bands annually, one comprised of students in grades 6, 7 and 8, and another comprised of students in grades 9 and 10. The MBDA Honor Bands provide the opportunity for select students from across the state of Minnesota to immerse themselves in an invigorating environment of music-making under the direction of a distinguished guest conductor.
Interested students apply by completing an application and submitting a recorded audition. A committee of qualified adjudicators scores each audition tape against an agreed upon set of standards, ensuring that a consistent standard of excellence is used in assessing each applicant.
www.mbda.org/resources/honorband
St. Thomas University Honor Band
Friday Oct. 11, NOMINATIONS ARE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27 One day Honor Band featuring two bands and a guest conductor or composer at the end of October. Information is usually released in early September. Open to students grades 9 – 12 and eligible only by Director nomination via an online form.
University of Minnesota – Duluth Honor Band
Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd, NOMINATIONS DUE MONDAY, OCTOBER 14TH
Two day Honor Band festival in the fall featuring two Honor Bands conducted by the University's Directors and also guest clinicians and conductors. Students will be housed overnight for a fee at Duluth and also perform in a closing concert. Open to all high school students only by Director nomination via an online form.
Gustavus Adolphus College Honor Band (Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Honor Band Festival has been canceled this year.)
Sun-Mon, November 5-6, NOMINATIONS DUE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th
Two day Honor Band festival usually held in the fall. Students are nominated by Directors, who can nominate up to 8 musicians which are then chosen by the directors of the college to form a 95 piece ensemble. Students will be housed to stay overnight at Gustavus to perform in the closing concert.
gustavus.edu/music/bjorlingmusicfestival/band/
St. Olaf College Honor Band
Saturday, November 9th, NOMINATIONS DUE THURSDAY, OCT 3
One day Honor Band featuring coaching by Dr. Henry Dorn and a guest conductor. Parts are sent out usually two weeks in advance. The festival takes place the second Saturday in November and is concluded with a shared free concert with the St. Olaf Norseman Band and Ole Band. Directors are allowed up to 5 nominations and a balanced group is then selected.
https://wp.stolaf.edu/music/st-olaf-festival-of-bands/
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Honor Band
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, January 24-26, AUDITIONS DUE NOVEMBER 7
Weekend long Honor Band festival in January featuring one honor band conducted by the University's Directors.. Students must submit an online form or information as well as a Director’s recommendation. Students will also need to submit an mp3 of their playing of 3 to 5 minutes. Forms must be submitted in early fall.
https://cla.umn.edu/music/research-creative-work/community-programs/high-school-honor-band
Luther College Dorian Festival For Band
March 2-3, 2025
Two day Honor Band festival held in late February. Students are placed in three different festival bands featuring two student soloists and an evening concert. Students also have the opportunity to receive mini lessons form University faculty. Students are nominated by Director via an online form.
www.luther.edu/event/dorian-band-festival
Concordia College Honor Band
April 4-6, AUDITIONS DUE FRIDAY, JAN. 24
The Concordia High School Honor Band takes place every spring, where students can come together and create music at a high level. We're looking forward to welcoming you to campus April 4-6, 2025, for our next honor band, featuring members of PATÁX.
Additionally, The Concordia College Band is excited to offer an Honor Jazz Band Festival as part of the Honor Band Weekend. The Honor Jazz Band Festival will feature a guest artist/conductor who will work with students throughout the weekend.
www.concordiacollege.edu/music/performances-and-events/honor-band-2/