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.

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.The deadline for application is Monday, November 3, 2025. Should you find the need to fax your recommendations, that number is 515-271-2558. Please be sure to include both the Director's Nomination form and Student Application form with all entries. Applications will NOT be processed without both forms. Applications may also be e-mailed to du.bands@drake.edu.

Honor Band Festival Information Bulletin

Honor Band Festival Director Evaluation

Honor Band Festival Student Application

Registration Fee

Drake University will employ the use of Eventbrite to confirm all registrations and choose a payment option for student participants of the festival. Directors will be sent a link to Eventbrite, upon notification of student acceptances to the festival. Payment is due on or before December 5, 2025. A registration fee of $25.00 per students due by the day of the event. A registration 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 interested in auditioning for Fine Arts Scholarships are invited to participate in the Department of Music Audition Days that will be hosted in February 2026. Plan now to attend one of the two dates for scholarship in-person auditions: February 6, 2026 or February 13, 2026. There is also an option for virtual audition with details outlined on the Drake Music website. Please share this information with your seniors. Fine Arts Scholarships are available for music majors, minors and non-major participants. For more information about auditions, please click here.

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