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Drake University Summer
Music Institute
Click here for information about the Summer Music Institute.
Drake University Honor Jazz Band Festival
The Drake University Honor Jazz Band festival is an opportunity for the most talented students from high schools around the region to play together and work with the respected jazz musicians on the Drake University faculty. Students are placed in ensembles according to their grade (9-12) . The Drake University Honor Jazz Band festival is held annually in early February, for more information e-mail director of jazz studies Andrew Classen.
Adventureland - Drake University Festival of Bands
> CLICK HERE to view the latest information regarding the Adventureland – Drake Relays Festival of Bands.
From its inception by festival founder, Drake University Director of Bands, Emeritus, Don Marcouiller in 1980, the Adventureland – Drake Relays Festival of Bands has provided school bands of all levels the opportunity to perform for, and be critiqued by America’s most outstanding band conductors and composers. Don’s contributions to the continued growth and development of the festival, his tireless dedication to the field of instrumental music education and his unwavering commitment to the band medium are embodied in this festival. As Don retires from his active role as festival coordinator, all involved in the future of this event thank him for his work and look forward to continuing his legacy.
For more than a decade, the Adventureland – Drake Relays Festival of Bands has featured performances by both senior and junior high school bands. During that time, the festival has gradually developed into two distinct events: one for high school bands and another for junior high/middle school bands. In recognition of the festival’s continued growth and the changing needs of the participating ensembles, it will be divided into two separate events beginning this year.
Robert Meunier, director of bands at Drake University, now coordinates the high school festival under a new title, Adventureland – Drake University Festival of Bands. Inquiries
about the high school portion of the festival should be directed to Robert Meunier at (515) 2713963 or emailed to robert.meunier@drake.edu.
Drake University Honor Band Festival
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The Drake University Honor Band Festival, to be held DECEMBER 4-5, 2009, provides outstanding high school musicians with the opportunity to work with our nations finest conductors in select band settings. During the two-day festival, students and directors develop their skills through rehearsals and clinics with guest conductors and members of the Drake music faculty. The culminating events are the two evening concerts that feature the Drake Bands and the Honor Bands presenting a wide variety of America's finest music. The 2009 festival features guest conductors Robert Belser, Director of Bands at the University of Wyoming and Leonard Upham from the University of Northern Iowa. The Honors Concert Band and Honors Wind Ensemble are comprised of over two hundred students from throughout Iowa and Nebraska. These students are among the finest in the nation. Deadline for student applications is November 13, 2009. In addition to concerts and clinics, the festival features scholarship auditions for entrance into the music department at Drake
For further information, contact the Drake University Bands at: du.bands@drake.edu or call the band office at (515) 271-3164.
Instrumental All-State Day
Drake hosts woodwind, brass, percussion, and string players for Instrumental All-State audition preparation. Music department faculty will assist students in performing scales, prepared music, and solos for the audition. Students should come prepared to perform the material to enhance the coaching of tone, technique, and musicality. This event is free for all high school students who attend.
