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Honor Band: Middle and High School
On this page:
- About the Honor Band Festival
- Final Letter to Students/Parents/Directors
- 2024 Honor Band Conductors
- Student Nomination Form
- Festival Schedule
- Festival Music
- Concert Programs
- Parking
- Registration and Waiver
- Hotel Accommodations
- Honor Band Scholarship Winners
- Honor Band Conductors Archive
- 2020 Honor Band Photo Gallery
- 2022 Honor Band Photo Gallery
About the Honor Band Festival
February 13-15, 2025
The Wright State University Honor Band Festival is an event hosted at Wright State University that includes two high school concert bands, a middle school concert band, a high school jazz band, and a day of professional development for band directors. Participating students will work with two conductors, play in side-by-side rehearsals with Wright State music faculty and music majors, attend masterclasses given by Wright State faculty, and perform a concert on the Saturday of the festival.
The professional development day will include six hours of workshops and clinics given by the honor band conductors and Wright State faculty.
The weekend also includes an opportunity for participating high school seniors to audition for acceptance into the Wright State School of Fine and Performing Arts. In addition, a music scholarship will be awarded to one auditioning senior at the Saturday concert.
2024 Information Letter to Directors/Parents/Students (DOCX)
Final Letter to Students/Parents/Directors
2024 Honor Band Conductors
Catherine Abner
Director of Instrumental and Choral Activities, Valley View Local Schools
Catherine Keener Abner has enjoyed a career as a band director, choir director, and professional musician for the past 23 years in the Greater Dayton Area.
Amy Acklin
Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands
Dr. Amy Acklin serves as Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands at the University of Louisville.
Josclynn Garrison
Director of Bands, Mount St. Joseph University
Josclynn Garrison is the Director of Bands at Mount St. Joseph University and is a bassoonist with the Cincinnati Wind Band.
Sarah Herbert
Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Jazz, Western Kentucky University
Dr. Sarah Herbert directs the Western Kentucky University Trumpet Ensemble and Jazz Band.
Student Nomination Form
Music Directors and Private Teachers may nominate up to 8 students for each of the bands indicated below. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Festival Schedule
Festival Music
Download your music
- Middle School Band Folder (.zip file)
- Jazz Band Folder (.zip file)
- Symphonic Band Folder (.zip file)
- Wind Symphony Folder (.zip file)
Concert Programs
The Wright State Honor Band Concerts will have both in-person and live-streaming options for friends and family members.
Live streaming will be available on our Facebook page.
2023 Concert Programs
- Wind Symphony Honor Band program (PDF)
- Symphonic Honor Band program (PDF)
- Middle School Honor Band program (PDF)
Parking
Directions, Parking, and Accessibility
If you need a parking pass, please email Bill Jobert at william.jobert@wright.edu
Registration and Waiver for Honor Band
Please pay the registration fee only if you have been notified that you are accepted for the Honor Band.
All participants must complete the waiver form (PDF). Download and complete this form and bring it with you to the festival.
Hotel Accommodations
Any hotel reservations are to be made by the director or student’s guardians. You may request university discount rates at the Holiday Inn Dayton/Fairborn or Tru Hotel by Hilton. View Local Hotel Rates.
Honor Band Scholarship Winners
2022
- Elijah Grubb, Kettering, OH, Tuba
- Abigail Larson, Bellbrook, OH, Clarinet
2019
Kylie Bayless, Wilmington, OH, Trombone
Honor Band Conductors Archive
2024
Amy Acklin
University of Louisville, KY
Catherine Keener Abner
Valley View High School, OH
Josclynn Garrison
Mount St. Joseph University, OH
Dr. Sarah Herbert
Western Kentucky University, KY
2023
Alfred Watkins
Lassiter High School, GA (emeritus)
Matthew Spradlin
Wilmington High School, OH
Heather Marsh-Myers
Beavercreek High School, OH
Matt Frost
Beavercreek High School, OH
2022
Richard Saucedeo
Carmel High School, IN (emeritus)
Kyle Young
Carmel High School, IN
Dr. Matthew Warner
Rapid Run Middle School – Cincinnati, OH
2019
Dr. Clifford N. Towner
Georgia College, GA
John Seaton
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, NV
Ben Streitenberger
Washington Court House Middle School, OH
