Honor Band, Choir & Strings Festival
Don't miss this celebration of musical excellence.
The 42nd Annual University of North Dakota Honor Festival will be held on the UND campus January 22-24, 2027.
The Honor Festival gives outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform in an elite ensemble guided by UND faculty.
Auditions
Registration is now open for the 2027 HBCS Festival! Secure your audition by registering no later than October 9, 2027. Early registration is encouraged!
Monday, October 26
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Devils Lake Location Masonic Temple | 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
| Minot Magic City High School | 1:30 - 8:30 p.m. |
Tuesday, October 27
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Williston High School | 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Dickinson High School | 4:30 - 7 p.m. MT |
Wednesday, October 28
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Bismarck High School | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
| Bismarck Legacy School | 12:30 - 6 p.m. |
Thursday, October 29
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Jamestown High School | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
| West Fargo Sheyenne High School | 1:30 - 8 p.m. |
Friday, October 30
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| West Fargo Sheyenne High School | 8 - 11 a.m. |
| UND Grand Forks | 2:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Saturday, October 31
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| UND Grand Forks | 9 - 12 p.m. |
Friday, October 16
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Bismarck High School | 8 - 9 a.m. |
| Bismarck Century High School | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m |
| Bismarck Legacy High School | 12 - 1 p.m |
Sunday, October 18
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Jamestown High School | 2-3 p.m. |
Monday, October 19
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| Devils Lake High School | 8 - 8:30 a.m. |
| Minot High School | 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. |
| Williston High School | 3:30 - 5 p.m. |
Tuesday, October 20
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| West Fargo Sheenne High School | 4:30 - 9 p.m. |
Thursday, October 22
| Location | Time |
|---|---|
| UND Grand Forks | 4-6 p.m. |
Woodwind and Brass instrumentalists should play two excerpts from appropriate solo literature and/or études that will exhibit both lyrical playing and technical proficiency (approximately three minutes in length total for this repertoire). Students will also be asked to play a major scale of their choice and chromatic scale (both scales should be performed ascending and descending). Students may choose the style and tempo, as well as the number of octaves (please play as many as possible), for these scales. In addition, each woodwind and brass instrumentalist will also be asked to sight-read. Percussionists should play prepared solo literature and/or excerpts on both snare drum and a keyboard mallet instrument (approximately four minutes in length total for this repertoire). Percussionists are not required to play scales or rudiments, but will be asked to sight-read on both snare drum and mallets. Instrumentalists do not need an accompanist. Dr. James Popejoy will conduct the Honor Band auditions.
Vocalists should sing a prepared solo from classical vocal solo (i.e. non-choral) repertoire. Popular or country music should be avoided. Also, sight-reading will be an important part of the audition. Vocalists should provide their own accompanist. Please refrain from singing a cappella or using recorded accompaniment. Dr. Casey Behm will conduct the Honor Choir auditions.
String instrumentalists should perform a two-three minute selection from appropriate literature that showcases the student's best playing ability. They will also be asked to play one major or minor scale (two or more octaves; students may choose the style and tempo). In addition, each student will also be asked to sight-read. Dr. Simona Barbu will conduct the Honor Strings auditions.
2027 Honor Festival Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Scholarship Auditions (Instrumental - HFAC 128; Vocal - HFAC 152) |
| 12:30 - 12:50 p.m. |
Registration
|
| 1 - 4 p.m. |
|
| 1 - 2 p.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - Hughes Fine Arts Center 152 |
| 2 - 3 p.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Sectionals/Part Check - HFAC (rooms TBA) |
| 3 - 4 p.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - HFAC 152 |
| 4 - 5 p.m. | UND Ensembles Showcase Concert - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 5 - 7 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7 - 9 p.m. | Honor Band Full Rehearsal - CFA Stage |
| 7 - 8 p.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Sectionals - HFAC (rooms TBA) |
| 8 - 9 p.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - HFAC 152 |
| 7 - 8 p.m. | Treble Honor Choir Sectionals - HFAC (rooms TBA) |
| 8 - 9 p.m. | Treble Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - HFAC 128 |
| 7 - 8 p.m. | Honor Strings Full Rehearsal - CFA Basement |
| 8 - 9 p.m. | Honor Strings Sectionals - CFA (rooms TBA) |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:30 - 11 a.m. | High School Directors Coffee - HFAC Lounge |
| 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. | Honor Band Sectionals - CFA/HFAC (rooms TBA) |
| 11 - 12:30 p.m. | Honor Band Full Rehearsal - CFA Stage |
| 9:30 - 11 a.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - HFAC 152 |
| 11 - 11:45 a.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Sectionals - HFAC (rooms TBA) |
| 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Mixed Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - HFAC 152 |
| 9:30 - 11 a.m. | Treble Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - HFAC 128 |
| 11 - 11:45 a.m. | Treble Honor Choir Sectionals - HFAC (rooms TBA) |
| 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Treble Honor Choir Full Rehearsal - HFAC 128 |
| 9:30 - 11a.m. | Honor Strings Full Rehearsal - CFA Basement |
| 11 - 11:45 a.m. | Honor Strings Sectionals - CFA Basement |
| 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | Scholarship Auditions (Instrumental - HFAC 128; Vocal - HFAC 152) |
| 2:30 - 5 p.m. |
|
| 5 - 5:30 p.m. | Combined Honor Band, Choirs & Strings Rehearsal - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Dinner Break |
| 7:30 - 10 p.m. | Mixer for Students & Directors (optional) - UND Memorial Union |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10 - 10:40 a.m. | Honor Band dress rehearsal - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 10:40 - 10:45 a.m. | Honor Band picture (wear concert dress) - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 10:45 - 10:50 a.m. | Mixed Honor Choir picture (wear concert dress) - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 10:50 - 11:30 a.m. | Mixed Honor Choir dress rehearsal - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 1 - 4 p.m. | Honor Band Full Rehearsal - Chester Fritz Auditorium Stage |
| 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Honor Strings Rehearsal - Chester Fritz Auditorium Basement |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. | Honor Strings Dress Rehearsal - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 12:10 - 12:15 p.m. | Honor Strings Picture (wear concert dress) - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 12:15 - 12:20 p.m. | Treble Honor Choir picture (wear concert dress) - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 12:20 - 1 p.m. | Treble Honor Choir dress rehearsal - Chester Fritz Auditorium |
| 1:30 - 4 p.m. | HONOR BAND, CHOIR & STRINGS FESTIVAL CONCERT - CFA |