Kent State All-Star Band

An annual high school honor band opportunity hosted by the Kent State Band program


January 12-13, 2024

Email AllStarBand@Kent.edu with any questions.  

 


Nomination Timeline and Process

  • Student Nominations Open Oct. 17
  • Student Nominations Due Nov 22
  • Acceptance Notification Due Dec. 12
  • Attendance Confirmation Due Dec. 23

Nomination Form

All Star Band Nomination Form

Fees

  • $50 per participant

Submit Your Payment

Guest Clinicians

Leah McGray

Leah McGray is the Director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo. Dr. McGray conducts the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, Geneseo Wind Ensemble, and teaches classes in conducting, and theory.

Armand Hall

A conductor and clarinetist, Dr. Hall earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University. Armand Hall joined Gateways Music Festival in March of 2022 as Director of Programs.


Schedule

Friday, January 12th, 2024

1 p.m. Check-in 
           Gold and Blue Bands check in at Ludwig Recital Hall
           *Participants must check in before 1:30 p.m.!
 
1:30 p.m. Presentation/Faculty Performance (Ludwig Recital Hall)
 *Travel to rehearsal locations after
 
3:00 p.m.  Rehearsal
           Rehearsal: Gold All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium) 
           Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (Black Box)
 
5:00 p.m. Dinner (will be provided for students at Dining Hall)
 
6:30 p.m. Rehearsal
           Rehearsal: Gold All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium) 
           Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (Black Box)
 
8:30 p.m. Check-out 
           Location for Gold All-Star Band: Cartwright Auditorium 
           Location for Blue All-Star Band (Black Box)

Saturday, January 13th, 2024 

8:30 a.m. Check-in
          Blue Band checks in at Cartwright Auditorium 
          Gold Band checks in at Black Box
 
9:00 a.m. Rehearsal
         Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium)
         Rehearsal: Gold Band checks (Black Box)
 
11:00 a.m. Faculty Masterclasses (CPA and Cartwright)
 
12:00 p.m. Lunch (will be provided for students- Pizza)
 
1:30 p.m. Rehearsal
         Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium)
         Rehearsal: Gold Band checks (Black Box)
 
4:00 p.m. Dinner (not provided, on own with parents)
 
6:00 p.m. Call time for Blue AND Gold Bands 
        (Cartwright Hall, 650 Hilltop Drive, Kent, Ohio 44242)
 
6:15 p.m. Gold Band Sound-check (Cartwright Auditorium)
         *Blue Band can change into concert dress
 
6:45 p.m. Blue Band Sound-check (Cartwright Auditorium) 
         *Gold Band can change into concert dress
 
7:30 p.m. ALL-STAR BAND GRAND FINALE CONCERT (Cartwright Auditorium)
         Order Blue Band, then Gold Band 

Housing and Overnight Accommodations

  • Kent State University All-Star Band will NOT provide housing or chaperones for the weekend festival. 
  • Participants, parents, and/or directors are responsible for making housing and chaperone arrangements.
  • You can find information about area accommodations through the City of Kent Business Directory.

Band and Part Assignments

Students will be responsible for printing and bringing their own music to the rehearsals this year.
Band and Part Assignments will be available here:

See Band and Part Assignments

Band Assignments are done, and part assignments will be emailed soon.

REGISTRATION

Registration will take place at Ludwig Recital Hall: (1325 Theatre Dr, Kent, OH 44243) (DirectionsMap)

PARKING

Parking is free after 4:00 p.m. on Fridays and weekends. If you drive to campus, you will need to park on the metered lots. We are currently working on getting parking worked out for the early portion of the Friday rehearsals. Those registering in the Center for Performing Arts (E. Turner Stump Theatre) may park in either of the parking lots that are adjacent to the Center for Performing Arts or in the large commuter parking lot located off Theatre Drive

MEALS

Students will be provided dinner on Friday in one of the school dining halls and pizza on Saturday. Dinner on Saturday before the concert will be on your own. 

EQUIPMENT FOR REHEARSALS

You will be responsible for bringing the following equipment to your instrument: a pencil, reeds, valve oil, mutes, horn string, etc. Percussion instruments will be provided, but percussion students must provide sticks and mallets. Brass players must bring mutes to all rehearsals.

CONCERT INFORMATION

Admission to the Saturday night All-Star Band Concert in Cartwright Auditorium is free and we encourage directors, friends, and family members to attend. Free parking is available in lots immediately adjacent to the auditorium.

CONCERT ATTIRE

Concert attire is your school’s concert band attire or concert black.

FORMS

If the participant is under 18 years old, please fill out the following forms:
Under 18 Forms
If the participant is over 18 years old, please out the following forms:
Over 18 Forms