CSU’s annual High School Honor Band Festival is an outstanding opportunity for some of Colorado’s most talented high school music students to get hands-on training in a college setting. In addition to rehearsals, students enjoy several concerts given by CSU faculty and student ensembles.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 26, with the Symphonic Band. It continues with another installment of the Wind Symphony’s series “Elements” on Friday, Feb. 27. Finally, it concludes with the High School Honor Band’s performance on Feb. 28.
This year’s festival features performances from CSU’s Symphonic Band, led by Richard Frey with graduate conductor Michael Bowles, and CSU’s Wind Symphony, led by Rebecca Phillips and graduate conductor Chase Morin. Phillips will also conduct the High School Honor Band in its final concert.
“The festival gives us the opportunity to support and enrich high school music programs by allowing students of similar abilities from all over the state to learn and perform together,” said Richard Frey, CSU associate director of bands. “Through this program, students also get to interact with CSU faculty in a college environment.”
Symphonic Band Concert
Performing: “Borrowed”
With Michael Bowles, graduate conductor
Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Griffin Concert Hall, UCA
The Symphonic Band, led by Richard Frey, will kick off this year’s CSU High School Honor Band weekend with a concert titled “Borrowed.” Each work contains a borrowed element: the melody, style, or idea behind each piece is taken from a source in the past. The concert concludes with Alfred Reed’s showpiece for band, “Armenian Dances.”
Richard Frey, associate director of bands and assistant professor of music at Colorado State University, conducts the Symphonic Band, directs the Marching Band and teaches courses in music education. With his works and experience with wind instruments and conducting, he has led the CSU Faculty Chamber Winds on a European tour and the CSU Marching Band under his direction has gained a national and even international reputation. He has worked as an arranger and drill designer, percussionist and pianist.
Wind Symphony Concert
“Elements: Water”
With CSU faculty member Gary Moody, Bassoon, & Chase Morin, graduate conductor
Friday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. Griffin Concert Hall, UCA
The Wind Symphony, led by Rebecca Phillips, will continue its season of concerts that represent the elements of wind, earth, water and fire. Featuring faculty artist Gary Moody on bassoon, the evening will combine the basic element of water with the musical element of jazz, including works by Wilson, Daugherty and CSU award-winning composer James David.
Honor Band Concert
With CSU faculty member Rebecca Phillips, conductor
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m., Griffin Concert Hall, UCA
CSU’s annual High School Honor Band Festival brings together Colorado’s finest high school musicians, selected from hundreds of applicants throughout the region. Featuring guest clinicians and conductors, the three-day festival will be capped off with a performance by the Honor Band, led by Rebecca Phillips.
Rebecca Phillips is the newly appointed director of bands at CSU, where she conducts the CSU Wind Symphony and guides all aspects of the band and graduate wind conducting program. Prior to this appointment, she served as the associate director of bands, director of athletic bands and associate professor at the University of South Carolina, where she was responsible for directing the Symphonic Winds Concert Band, “The Mighty Sound of the Southeast” Carolina Marching Band, and “Concocktion” Pep Bands; teaching undergraduate instrumental conducting; and directing the Carolina Summer Drum Major Clinic.
All concerts will be held in the Griffin Concert Hall, University Center for the Arts, located on 1400 Remington St.
Tickets
Tickets for the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony concerts are:
- $7 for CSU students
- $1 for youth (under 18)
- $12 for the public
Tickets for the High School Honor Band concert are $5 for the public.
Tickets are available at the University Center for the Arts (UCA) ticket office in the UCA lobby Monday through Friday, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to performances, by phone at 970-491-ARTS (2787), or online. Youth tickets must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. All tickets are subject to a $1 ticket fee for both online and at-the-door purchases. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended to avoid lines and further at-the-door fees.
