Drake University Honor Band Festival

The Drake University Honor Band Festival provides an exceptional ensemble experience for high school student musicians to perform under the baton of our nation's finest conductors.

During the two-day festival, students and directors develop their skills through rehearsals and clinics with guest conductors and members of the Department of Music faculty. The culminating events are the two evening concerts that feature the Drake Bands and the Honor Bands presenting a wide variety of the finest music for wind band. The Honors Concert Band and Honors Wind Ensemble are comprised of over 200 students from throughout Iowa and surrounding states. These students are among the finest in the nation.

2026 Event Date

The festival will be held December 4th-5th, 2026.

Purpose

To provide an exceptional ensemble experience for high school students to perform under the baton of our nation’s finest band conductors.

Festival Location

All activities of the Honor Band will be conducted in the Harmon Fine Arts Center, located on the Drake University campus.

Ensembles

The festival features two distinct honors ensembles. Membership in the Honors Wind Ensemble is reserved for high school seniors and students who have been members of an All-State Band or Orchestra, or All-State alternates. Membership in the Honors Concert Band is open to students in grades 9-12, of all ability levels.

Eligibility/Selection Process

High school students may, with the recommendation of their instrumental director, apply for
membership in the Honor Band. Deadline for application is Monday, November 2, 2026.
Applications will be accepted at a later date if openings exist in specific sections. Applications will be
reviewed on November 3rd and parts will be assigned following the recommendation of directors,
wherever possible. Music will then be sent to each accepted member, via email to their band director
for practice prior to the festival.

Honor Band Festival Information Bulletin

Honor Band Festival Director Evaluation

Honor Band Festival Student Application

Registration Fee

NEW this year! Drake University has a new system that will allow us to invoice and collect
payments directly. We will use Eventbrite to confirm all registrations and collect the information
needed to send an invoice for everyone. Directors will be sent a link to Eventbrite upon notification of
student acceptances to the festival. After completing the registration, an invoice will be made which
will have the new payment instructions included. Registration is due before December 4, 2026. A
registration fee of $25.00 per student is required.

A check-in desk will be located in the lobby of the Performing Arts Hall of the Fine Arts Center.
Students are asked to check-in upon arrival between 8:00am-10:00am.

Chair Placement Auditions

Chair auditions will consist of performance of the Honor Band music sent to students. Passages utilized are left to the discretion of the auditioner. Students must bring their music with them to their chair placement auditions.

Rehearsals

All rehearsals are open to parents, directors, and friends.

Fine Arts Scholarship Auditions

High School Seniors who are interested in auditioning for Drake Music Scholarships are invited to participate in the Drake Music Scholarship Auditions to be held in February 2027. Plan now to attend one of these two in-person dates for scholarship auditions: February 5th and February 12th, There is also an option for virtual audition. Please share this information with your seniors. Music scholarships are available for music majors, minors and program participants.

For further information about the Honor Band Festival, please email du.bands@drake.edu or call the Band Office at 515-271-3164.