42nd Annual Honor Band Weekend
Honor Band Festival with WSU Band | Saturday | November 2 | 5:00pm
Fall Symphonic Wind Ensemble | Sunday | November 3 | 2:00pm
DuFresne Performing Arts Center | WSU
Free Admission
The 42nd Annual High School Honor Band takes place November 1 and 2 at Winona State University. Students from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa arrive on Friday and participate in auditions, rehearsals, and sectionals. Led by Dr. Melanie Brooks, the students have the opportunity to perform new music by guest composer, Stephen Mitton. The culmination of their work takes place during the concert on November 2 at 5:00.
The Winona State University Bands also participate in this eventful weekend. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble opens the honor band concert on November 2 with David Maslanka’s Give Us This Day and then transitions into the Chaminade Concertino for flute. Winona State’s flute instructor, Dr. Rachel Haug Root, is the featured soloist and had this to say about the piece. "I’m honored that Dr. Brooks asked me to play this work with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. This is a standard piece of flute repertoire, and many of the flutists participating in the honor band have likely played it or will learn it at some point in their careers. I can still remember how accomplished I felt when I first learned this piece in high school. I’ve taught the Chaminade many times since then, but this is really the first opportunity I’ve had to perform the work as a professional. It’s been thrilling, and a bit challenging, to bring a more mature perspective to the piece, but I’m grateful that the SWE and I have this opportunity to inspire young musicians." Dr. Haug Root will perform the Chaminade on both the November 2 and November 3 concerts.
The November 3 concert features the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, an auditioned group, and the newly-formed Symphonic Band. The concert will include a second performance of the Chaminade, as well as works by guest composer, Stephen Mitton. This concert takes place at 2:00 on Sunday, November 3.
WSU Arts Administration is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/JOIN.