Music Festivals at Adams State

The Adams State College "Top of the Nation" Honor Band is one of the longest running honor bands in Colorado, with a tradition dating back over 40 years. The "Top of the Nation" Honor Band selects students from the entire Southwestern United States. The band consists of some of the finest high school instrumental musicians in the Southwest with members coming from Arizona, Texas, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado. There is a growing interest from students outside this region and everyone is eligible to audition.

The event is held over a three-day period, beginning on Thursday afternoon and culminating in a concert on Saturday afternoon. Students and directors receive master classes from the wind and percussion faculty at Adams State College.

Graduate credit (1 credit/15 contact hours) is available for participating high school band directors through a series of clinics, master classes and discussions.

Adams State College High School Honor Choirs Festival is an annual event at ASC. Audition information is distributed in August to Colorado high schools. It is open to all high school students, and taped auditions are due each year by Nov. 1.

Teachers who have not received information by the end of August should contact Dr. Wagstrom.

These two unique honors ensembles (a mixed and a women's chorus) are limited to 40 singers each, providing students with a Chamber Choir setting to complement other larger, honor choir experiences such as all-state.

The ASC Invitational Jazz Festival is an annual event hosted by James Doyle. The invitational provides an opportunity for middle school and high school ensembles to perform for top professional clinicians from throughout the country.

In addition, each ensemble member will have the opportunity to attend numerous masterclasses, clinics, and performances by guest artists and the ASC faculty (including members of the Falconaires Jazz Ensemble from the USAF Academy Band).