REGISTRATIONS are now CLOSED
Department of Music Scholarship Audition Notice!
The UMD Department of Music will be holding Scholarship Auditions on Saturday, November 7th of the UMD Honor Band Festival. If there are any Senior High School students participating in the festival who are considering a music major and would like to audition for a UMD Music Department Scholarship they may contact us via email or indicate their intention to play for us when they register on Friday, November 6th. If you have any questions please contact: Dee Charles [email protected] or Mark Whitlock [email protected]. You may also call: 218-726-7890 for questions. (NOTE: Prior application/admittance to UMD is not required)
For music information and important updates check HERE in the future
Attention High School Seniors Flyer
This is your chance to allow your best students to come and play with top performers at their same level. When recommending students keep our criteria in mind.
Each fall, the UMD Bands host their annual high school honor band festival. This festival typically features 2 honor bands each totaling between 60 and 100 musicians.
If you have questions please email Dr. Mark Whitlock, [email protected] or call 218-726-6124.
Our Honor Band Philosophy
The purpose of this festival is to give the best students in your program a chance to participate in an ensemble that not only performs well but provides the students an opportunity to learn more about music and hopefully inspire them to become more excited about music. While we want bands that play well at the concert, we are more concerned about what your students learn while they are here at UMD. The level of performance does not always reflect what has been learned. Having said that, I would like you to consider the following when you are nominating your students.
- Nominate only those who you know have achieved a level of skill beyond beginner level.
- Please nominate students who have good attitudes and want to learn.
- Please nominate students who want to work hard.
- Nominate those who will appreciate the opportunity you/we are providing them and want to take there experiences back home to help improve your program.
Guest Artist - To be announced
Fall Festival Info & Schedule - coming soon
On Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th, 2020 the University of Minnesota Duluth's Department of Music will be hosting its 63rd Annual Senior High Honor Band Festival. As always, our hope is to provide you and your students with the best experience possible. This year there will be two bands, the Gold Band and the Maroon Band. We will keep membership for the Gold Band to around 65-70 members.Â
The Gold Band
Membership in this ensemble should be limited to only the best musicians in the state. In most cases, students should have been members of one of the All-State ensembles, be in the first section of your band and/or have received a "1" rating at solo and ensemble contest. If you have a student that you feel is truly outstanding you may submit their name. Be sure to document the student’s accomplishments. Students not selected for this band will automatically be considered for the Maroon Band.
The Maroon Band
I am asking that you recommend other outstanding students from your band program for this ensemble. Your strongest juniors and seniors, other students who have attended honor bands or students who are serious musicians in your program should be considered.
The UMD Faculty will also be on hand to give clinics and performances throughout the weekend. A more complete biography is available in the honor band information packet. I am looking forward to having the chance to meet your fine students. All of us at UMD sincerely hope that you can find the time to become involved with this special festival.
How to Nominate
Nominations for the Senior High Honor Band Festival can be done online (see link below).
Entry Deadline is Monday, October 16th and Acceptance Notifications will be sent out by Monday, October 19th.
Please be specific about percussionist’s strengths (tympani, mallets, snare, etc.) and also indicate whether the baritone players read bass clef or treble clef.
Please nominate only students who have expressed an interest in participating and who can guarantee that they will attend if selected. We would like to make this event as musical and memorable as possible. So a commitment is essential.
On-line nominations will be available by mid June. Also please remember that you must fill out and submit a form for EACH student that you would like to nominate.
REGISTRATIONS are currently CLOSED
If you have questions or problems nominating your students, please email:Â [email protected]
For daily up-dates and further information on the 2019 Senior High School Honor Band Festival visit us here often!
HOUSING (Please Read and Notice The Changes)
Arrangements are the same this year. The Edgewater Hotel has two buildings that we have made arrangements with and they are right across the street from each other on London Rd. in Duluth. For those of you who need housing for this event we have reserved a block of rooms at each hotel. You will notice that the rates are different for the two buildings.  For the Edgewater Hotel with the water park the rates for the weekend will be $84.00 per room per night on Thursday, October 12 and $139.00 per night for Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th. The rate is per room, per night, plus tax and a facility fee. The hotel offers an all you can eat hot breakfast buffet with three types of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes, yogurt bar, oatmeal bar and more for $6.99 per person, plus tax. All hotel amenities are included in this rate including passes to the waterpark. The other hotel is the Days Inn Duluth Lakewalk it is across the street from the Water Park and the rates are $79.00 per room per night on Thursday, and $139.00 per night for Friday and Saturday. The hotel offers a hot, complimentary breakfast buffet. Passes to the Edgewater Waterpark are available for $5.00 per day.                                                 Â
Both offers are good for up to 4 students per room.  You may pay for your room upon arrival. When you call ask for Sarah Warner and mention that you are making reservations for the UMD Honor Band Festival.   For more information you may look at their web site at: http://duluthwaterpark.com/ or call the Edgewater Resort & Waterpark 2400 London Road Duluth, MN 55812218-728-3601 toll free 800-777-7925.
Please make your reservations by October 9th to make sure you have a room for your students.
For more information you may look at their web site at:Â http://duluthwaterpark.com/Â
Edgewater Resort & Waterpark
2400 London Road
Duluth, MN 55812 218-728-3601 toll free 800-777-7925
Payment and Final Concert
There will be a $25.00 charge per student for participation in the UMD Senior High Honor Band Festival.
Payment will be due on the day of registration. Checks should be made payable to UMD Bands.
Contact Information
Mark Whitlock, Director of Bands
p:Â 218.726.6124
f: 218.726.8210
[email protected]
212 Humanities Building
1201 Ordean Court
Duluth, MN 55812
Our Honor Band Philosophy
The purpose of this festival is to give the best students in your program a chance to participate in an ensemble that not only performs well but provides the students an opportunity to learn more about music and hopefully inspire them to become more excited about music. While we want bands that play well at the concert, we are more concerned about what your students learn while they are here at UMD. The level of performance does not always reflect what has been learned. Having said that, I would like you to consider the following when you are nominating your students.
- Nominate only those who you know have achieved a level of skill beyond beginner level.
- Please nominate students who have good attitudes and want to learn.
- Please nominate students who want to work hard.
- Nominate those who will appreciate the opportunity you/we are providing them and want to take there experiences back home to help improve your program.
Guest Artist - To be announced
Fall Festival Info & Schedule - coming soon
Â
On Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th, 2020 the University of Minnesota Duluth's Department of Music will be hosting its 63rd Annual Senior High Honor Band Festival. As always, our hope is to provide you and your students with the best experience possible. This year there will be two bands, the Gold Band and the Maroon Band. We will keep membership for the Gold Band to around 65-70 members.Â
The Gold Band
Membership in this ensemble should be limited to only the best musicians in the state. In most cases, students should have been members of one of the All-State ensembles, be in the first section of your band and/or have received a "1" rating at solo and ensemble contest. If you have a student that you feel is truly outstanding you may submit their name. Be sure to document the student’s accomplishments. Students not selected for this band will automatically be considered for the Maroon Band.
The Maroon Band
I am asking that you recommend other outstanding students from your band program for this ensemble. Your strongest juniors and seniors, other students who have attended honor bands or students who are serious musicians in your program should be considered.
The UMD Faculty will also be on hand to give clinics and performances throughout the weekend. A more complete biography is available in the honor band information packet. I am looking forward to having the chance to meet your fine students. All of us at UMD sincerely hope that you can find the time to become involved with this special festival.
How to Nominate
Nominations for the Senior High Honor Band Festival can be done online (see link below).
Entry Deadline is Monday, October 16th and Acceptance Notifications will be sent out by Monday, October 19th.
Please be specific about percussionist’s strengths (tympani, mallets, snare, etc.) and also indicate whether the baritone players read bass clef or treble clef.
Please nominate only students who have expressed an interest in participating and who can guarantee that they will attend if selected. We would like to make this event as musical and memorable as possible. So a commitment is essential.
On-line nominations will be available by mid June. Also please remember that you must fill out and submit a form for EACH student that you would like to nominate.
REGISTRATIONS are currently CLOSED
If you have questions or problems nominating your students, please email: [email protected]
For daily up-dates and further information on the 2019 Senior High School Honor Band Festival visit us here often!
Â
HOUSING (Please Read and Notice The Changes)
Arrangements are the same this year. The Edgewater Hotel has two buildings that we have made arrangements with and they are right across the street from each other on London Rd. in Duluth. For those of you who need housing for this event we have reserved a block of rooms at each hotel. You will notice that the rates are different for the two buildings.  For the Edgewater Hotel with the water park the rates for the weekend will be $84.00 per room per night on Thursday, October 12 and $139.00 per night for Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th. The rate is per room, per night, plus tax and a facility fee. The hotel offers an all you can eat hot breakfast buffet with three types of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes, yogurt bar, oatmeal bar and more for $6.99 per person, plus tax. All hotel amenities are included in this rate including passes to the waterpark. The other hotel is the Days Inn Duluth Lakewalk it is across the street from the Water Park and the rates are $79.00 per room per night on Thursday, and $139.00 per night for Friday and Saturday. The hotel offers a hot, complimentary breakfast buffet. Passes to the Edgewater Waterpark are available for $5.00 per day.                                                 Â
Both offers are good for up to 4 students per room.  You may pay for your room upon arrival. When you call ask for Sarah Warner and mention that you are making reservations for the UMD Honor Band Festival.   For more information you may look at their web site at: http://duluthwaterpark.com/ or call the Edgewater Resort & Waterpark 2400 London Road Duluth, MN 55812218-728-3601 toll free 800-777-7925.
Please make your reservations by October 9th to make sure you have a room for your students.
 For more information you may look at their web site at: http://duluthwaterpark.com/Â
Edgewater Resort & Waterpark
2400 London Road
Duluth, MN 55812 218-728-3601 toll free 800-777-7925
Payment and Final Concert
There will be a $25.00 charge per student for participation in the UMD Senior High Honor Band Festival.
Payment will be due on the day of registration. Checks should be made payable to UMD Bands.
Contact Information
Mark Whitlock, Director of Bands
p: 218.726.6124
f: 218.726.8210
[email protected]
212 Humanities Building
1201 Ordean Court
Duluth, MN 55812