"Top of the Nation"

High School Honor Band Festival

2012 Festival:

  • Thursday, February 16th through Saturday, February 18th
  • Guest conductor - Jack Yonce, Director of Bands at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs

Downloadable Forms

The Adams State College "Top of the Nation" Honor Band Festival is one of the longest running honor bands in Colorado, with a tradition dating back over 50 years. The band consists of some of the finest high school instrumental musicians in the Southwest. The event is held over a three-day period, beginning on Thursday morning and culminating in a concert on Saturday afternoon.

Our Honor Band Festival is run in conjunction with our Honor Choir Festival. This is to provide an improved festival experience. All paperwork and fees are handled separately, and each event has its own schedule.

Audition Information

  • The top band, the Wind Symphony, will require a CD/taped audition and will be primarily conducted by Mr. Yonce.
  • The second band, the Concert Band, is open by director recommendation (no audition recording required) and will be primarily conducted by Dr. VanValkenburg and other ASC faculty.
  • Students who send audition CD's/tapes for the Wind Symphony but are not accepted will be considered for the Concert Band.
  • Recordings and/or applications must be postmarked by December 9th.
  • Seating auditions for both groups will be held on-site.

Here's what is new this year:

  • Our music building has been renovated! Alumni and those of you who have been here before won't recognize the building! The $5.7 million Music Building project features a 3,225- sq-ft., two-story addition and new east entrance. This space includes a new recording studio, two rehearsal halls, a percussion studio, and four new practice rooms. All interior walls were gutted and rebuilt to meet modern acoustical standards. New furnishings and musical instruments complete the package.

Cost

  • Student registration is $30 per participant, which will include a t-shirt and CD of the final concert ($30 will be due in January, after acceptance letters are sent out).
  • Transportation, housing, parking costs and meals are the responsibility of the participants. It is suggested that band parent organizations help defer at least some of these costs if possible.

Scheduling

  • Selected students will need to arrive on the Adams State College campus on February, 16th between 9:00am-10:00am with seating auditions starting at 10:00am and concluding at 12:00pm.
  • The final concert will take place on Saturday, February 18th at 12:00pm, and students should not plan to leave before 1:30pm.
  • A tentative schedule is listed under "Downloadable Forms."

Master Classes/Sectionals

  • In addition to the Honor Bands, there will also be master classes for woodwinds, brass, and percussion involving all Honor Band members.
  • ASC faculty will coach these master classes, which meet in addition to the regular rehearsal schedule.

Graduate Credit for Directors

  • Directors can receive 1 graduate credit for attending TOTN.
  • In order to receive the full credit, directors will need to accumulate a total of 15 clock hours of observation. Admission and registration can be taken care of with one form that you can fill out while you're here.
  • You can pay by credit card or check made out to Adams State College for the course fees as follows: In-state cost (including all fees): $290. Out-of-state cost (including all fees): $617. Nothing needs to be arranged or paid for in advance.

Questions? Please contact Dr. Jamie VanValkenburg at 719-587-7702 or