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Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Illinois State Concert Band Festival

Overview

The annual Illinois State Concert Band Festival is open to both junior high and high school bands in order to accommodate school schedules and to provide opportunities for bands of all ability levels.

Illinois State Concert Band Festival logo

Registration

Registration for the 2024 Illinois State Concert Band Festival will open on December 1.

Register

Schedule

The 2024 schedule will be posted in early April. All visiting band performances are free of charge and open to the public.

Concert Details

  • Venue

    Bands will perform in the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public. Recordings of each performance will be made for each band.

  • Clinicians:

    • Rebecca Phillips, Director of Bands, Colorado State University
    • Greg Bimm, Director of Bands, Marian Catholic High School (Retired)
    • Steve Scherer, Director of Bands, Geneseo High School (Retired)
    • Melissa Gustafson-Hinds, Director of Bands, O’Fallon Township High School
    • Marcellus Brown, Director of Bands, Boise State University (Retired)
    • Ben Stiers, Percussion and Music Theory, Illinois State University

  • Details

    • This event is open to all junior high and high school bands on a first come basis.
    • Registration fee is $400 for each band entered in the event.
    • After each band performs in the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts, one clinician will work individually with the students.
    • Ensembles will receive:
      • A professional recording of their performance
      • Taped comments from clinicians
    • Bands will be asked to attend the performances of at least two other bands.
    • Bands will have the opportunity to attend a performance at no cost by either the Illinois State University Wind Symphony on Friday, April 26, 2024 or the Illinois State University Symphonic Winds on Saturday, April 27, 2027.

  • Invited Bands

    • Invited Bands receive the same opportunities as the other ensembles with additional experiences including:
      • A virtual clinic with their assigned clinician prior to their appearance at the festival
      • A dedicated evening performance at the end of each festival day
      • Complimentary tickets for all band members to attend a short evening concert by one of the Illinois State University Bands

    • 2024 Invited Bands
      • Batavia High School Wind Symphony; Chris Owen and Brian Van Kley, directors
      • Lockport Township High School Wind Symphony; Brian Covey, director
      • Joliet Central High School Symphonic Band; Don Stinson, director
      • Monticello Middle School Symphonic Band; Amanda Allen, director
      • Buffalo Grove High School Wind Ensemble; Vince Genualdi, director