Honor Band, Choir & Strings Festival
The University of North Dakota Honor Band, Choir & Strings Festival provides an opportunity for talented high school musicians to perform in a select ensemble under the leadership of UND faculty. The ensembles are chosen by live audition from among the finest high school musicians in the region.
2020 Honor Band, Choir & Strings Festival
January 24-26, 2020
Chester Fritz Auditorium
Festival rehearsals will begin on Friday, January 24 at 1 p.m. and continue through Saturday, January 25. Dress rehearsals and the festival concert are scheduled for Sunday, January 26. One of the festival highlights will be a grand finale performed by the combined Honor Band, Choirs and String ensembles. In addition, students will have the opportunity to interact with UND music students and faculty, as well as hear performances by UND Music Ensembles.
Festival Registration
All participants must register for the 2020 Honor Band, Choir and Strings Festival.
Festival Auditions
Honor band, choir & strings auditions will be held October 21-26, 2019.
Auditions for the UND Honor Band & Choirs will tentatively be held on the following dates at these locations:
Mon. Oct. 21 Devils Lake Middle School 9:00am-10:30am
Mon. Oct. 21 Minot Magic City High School 1:30pm-9:30pm
Tues. Oct. 22 Williston HIgh School 12:00pm-3:00pm
Tues. Oct. 22 Dickinson High School 4:30pm-7:00pm MT
Wed. Oct. 23 Bismarck High School 8:00am-7:00pm
Thurs. Oct. 24 Jamestown High School 8:00am-10:30am
Thurs. Oct. 24 Fargo South High School 1:00pm-9:00pm
Fri. Oct. 25 Fargo South High School 9:00am-12:00pm
Fri. Oct. 25 UND-Grand Forks 2:00pm-5:00pm
Sat. Oct. 26 UND-Grand Forks 10:00am-1:00pm
Students may audition for the Honor Band, an Honor Choir, and the Honor Strings if they so desire ($15.00 per audition). There is no participation fee for students that are selected. Please make every attempt to attend auditions at one of the sites listed. Special arrangements for students who are interested in auditioning but who cannot appear at the scheduled locations and times will be handled on an individual basis.
Festival Housing, Transportation & Meals
Students selected for an Honor Ensemble are responsible for making their own housing and transportation arrangements. To avoid increasing audition fees to help cover expenses, we also ask students to assume the responsibility for their own meals. Please note that the University of North Dakota bears no responsibility for supervision of the students away from the University. There is no participation fee for students that are selected for an Honor Ensemble!
Honor Band Auditions
Woodwind and Brass instrumentalists should play two excerpts from appropriate solo literature and/or etudes 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. 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.
Honor Choir 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 acappella or using recorded accompaniment. Dr. Dean Jilek will conduct the Honor Choir auditions.
Honor Strings 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. Note: Pre-formed string chamber music groups interested in participating in the chamber music masterclass during the Festival should contact Dr. Simona Barbu prior to the auditions for additional information.