High School Honor Bands

FEBRUARY 22–24, 2024

Final Perfomance: Saturday, Feb. 24, 6:30 PM

Chair Placement Results will be posted Thursday, February 22, ~9:00 PM

EKU is proud to announce its 31st annual High School Honor Bands event! Hosted on the "Campus Beautiful," students will have the opportunity to work with renowned clinicians along with EKU applied faculty and students to prepare a public concert Saturday evening. Clincians for this year's bands will be Dr. Rebekah (Honor Wind Ensemble) Daniel, Dr. David Plack (Honor Wind Symphony), and Dr. Timothy Wiggins (Honor Concert Band). 

Nomination Process

Honor Band students are nominated by their high school band director. EKU then accepts the most talented students from all schools based on a ranking formula. These students are then asked to register for the event. Below are instructions for High School Band Directors.

EKU High School Honor Band Nomination Form

1. Please nominate no more than 30% of your total concert/symphonic band personnel.
2. Each band member nominated must be fluent with and able to positively contribute to literature of a Grade III+ level.
3. Please rank your nominations in “rank order” regardless of instrument [i.e. strongest band member = Rank #1 nomination].
4. Please be instrument specific (alto saxophone, not saxophone). Note: Piccolo players will be auditioned from nominated flute musicians. Please indicate which flautists are interested in piccolo auditions.
5. Please ensure that if selected, your nominees WILL PARTICIPATE February 22-24, 2024.
6. Please ensure the possible band members are aware of any financial obligations which they might have to assume ($40 tuition, housing, & meals).
7. Please submit your nomination via the Nomination Grid [MS Excel] and return to Dr. Wiggins at timothy.wiggins@eku.edu.
8. Please return the nomination form by email no later than Friday, January 26, 2024.

After students are nominated, EKU will contact directors and students regarding their acceptance no later than February 5, 2024. Accepted students will be directed to complete the Honor Band Registration Form online.  

• Cancellations: PLEASE notify Dr. Wiggins if an accepted student cannot attend. Please do not substitute. We will reach out to the first alternate to fill the seat. 

Placement Auditions

Participants should plan to arrive at the EKU School of Music in the Foster Music Building at 5:00 PM, Thursday, February 22, 2024. After check-in, students will warm up in Foster 100, and will be guided to faculty studios to meet their applied professor and play a chair placement audition. Audition materials are as follows:

• Woodwinds and Brass Players: 1) 2 octave chromatic scale; 2) major scales (concert C, F, G, Bb, Eb, Ab); 3) excerpts from the linked audition materials (TBA January 2024), and 4) 1 sight-reading excerpt.
• Percussionists: 1) Excerpts on snare, timpani, and mallets from the linked audition materials (TBA January 2024); 2) 1 sight-reading excerpt on mallets or snare (student choice). All percussionists must bring their own snare sticks, keyboard mallets, and timpani mallets (instruments will be provided).  

Chair Placement Results will be posted Thursday, February 22, ~9:00 PM

Student Guidelines and Schedule

View and Download the Schedule

1. A member of the band program at home institution
2. Contribute positively and grow musically from the experience
3. Be well-prepared on the music
4. Timely: 1) Prompt and warmed-up for seating auditions; 2) “On site” 15 minutes prior to rehearsal; and 3) In seat and prepared 5 minutes prior to rehearsal
5. Attentive and fully-engaged for all rehearsals
6. Dressed appropriately [all black or your high school concert uniform] for performance
7. Positively represent home institution and the EKU Honor Band
8. Bring their instrument, all appropriate accessories, and a folding music stand.

Students should label all instruments, music stands, and accessories with their name and school. EKU does not assume liability for lost, misplaced, or broken instruments. 

Arrival & Parking

 EKU Parking Map

• Thursday: Crabbe Street ParkMobile Lot across from the Foster building. Parking is free after 5:00pm. 
• Friday and Saturday: Use the Center for the Arts West Parking lot, with overflow in the Alumni Coliseum Lot.  
• Buses/Vans: If you are bringing a bus or a large school van, day parking is available in the Alumni Coliseum lot.

Tuition, Meals, and Housing

• Tuition for the EKU High School Honor Band Festival is $40. EKU accepts card, checks, or cash. Please make checks payable to "EKU Bands." 
• Meals are the responsibilty of the individual attendees. There are many places to eat in Richmond, and several within walking distance of rehearsal spaces: Case Kitchen (all-you-can-eat $9.50 +tax), Chick-Fil-A, Moe's, Panda Express, Subway, Starbucks, and Einstein Brothers Bagels. IMPORTANT: All on campus dining is cashless.
• You may prepay Friday and Saturday's lunch and dinner at Case Kitchen during registration for an additional $40 per person.
• Directors and or parent/guardians are responsibile for travel and securing lodging. Richmond has several hotels in the nearby area. Supervision of students during the evenings is the responsibility of the high school director and [or] appointed supervisor(s) from each school.