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Honor Band: Middle and High School
On this page:
- About the Honor Band Festival
- Information Letter to Students/Parents/Directors
- 2025 Honor Band Conductors
- Student Nomination Form
- Student Audition Videos (Upload here)
- Festival Schedule
- Registration and Fee
- Waiver (upload here)
- Festival Music
- Concert Programs
- Parking
- 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.
2025 Letter to Students/Parents/Directors
2025 Information Letter to Directors, Parents, and Students (PDF)
2025 Honor Band Conductors
Colonel Don Schofield
Dr. Don Schofield is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he teaches the History of Wind Literature and Applied Conducting.
Dr. Carolyn Barber
Dr. Carolyn A. Barber is the Ron and Carol Cope Professor of Music and Director of Bands in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Glenn Korff School of Music. She earned a B.M. in horn performance at Northwestern University, an M.M.
Matt Matthews
Mr. Matthews, a Wright State alumni, is currently the Director of Bands for Colony High School in California.
Dr. Matt Warner
Dr. Matthew Warner (b. 1978) enjoys a multifaceted career as a music educator, saxophonist/woodwind doubler, conductor, and composer/arranger based in Cincinnati, Ohio. A veteran music educator, Dr.
Vinnie Marshall
Vinnie Marshall received a B.A. degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology from Moravian College (Now Moravian University) in Bethlehem Pennsylvania from 1980-1983.
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 Monday, December 9, 2024.
Student Audition Videos (Upload Here)
Concert Bands
Selected students must audition for band placement by preparing a 1-2 minute video of a self-chosen solo/etude/band piece that demonstrates both technical and lyrical styles (percussion display both snare drum and keyboard percussion). This video must be uploaded to the link shown below by the deadline, Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Students will be notified of their band placement shortly after. Those who do not submit a video or miss the deadline may be placed in the second ensemble.
Jazz Ensembles
Selected students must audition for band placement by preparing a 2-3 minute video performing the provided excerpts. The acceptance email will include specific excerpts for your instrument and further instructions. Students will be able to demonstrate different styles, improvisation, and lead playing ability. This video must be uploaded to the link shown below by the deadline, Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Students will be notified of their band placement shortly after.
- Upload your audition video
- Title your file as Instrument_First name_Last name; for example Clarinet_Jane_Doe
Festival Schedule
Festival Music
Download your music here once you have received your acceptance and assignments.
Registration and Fee for Honor Band
Please pay the registration fee only if you have been notified that you are accepted for the Honor Band.
Waiver Form
- All participants must download and complete the waiver form (PDF).
- Upload your completed forms here upload/drop your completed waiver here.
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.
2025 Honor Band Concert Programs
- Wind Symphony (PDF)
- Symphonic Band (PDF)
- Middle School Band (PDF)
- Jazz Ensemble (PDF)
Parking
Directions, Parking, and Accessibility
If you need a parking pass, please email Bill Jobert at william.jobert@wright.edu
Hotel Accommodations
Any hotel reservations must 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
2024
- Josh Fryer, Mason, OH, Trumpet
2023
- Lily Rindler, New Bremen, OH, Trumpet
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
