School of Fine and Performing Arts

Honor Band: Middle and High School

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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


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


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


2020 Honor Band Photo Gallery


2022 Honor Band Photo Gallery

 


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