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
Fees
-
$50 per participant
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 Band checks in at Cartwright Hall
Blue Band checks in at E. Turner Stump Theatre
Participants must check in before 1:30 p.m.!
1:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Rehearsal: Gold All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium)
Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (E. Turner Stump Theatre)
4:30 p.m. Dinner (will be provided for students)
6 p.m. Rehearsal
Rehearsal: Gold All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium)
Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (E. Turner Stump Theatre)
7:30 p.m. Presentation/Faculty Performance (Cartwright Auditorium)
8:30 p.m. Check-out
Location for Gold All-Star Band: Cartwright Auditorium
Location for Blue All-Star Band: Cartwright Auditorium
Saturday, January 13th, 2024
8:30 a.m. Check-in
Blue Band checks in at Cartwright Auditorium
Gold Band checks in at E. Turner Stump Theatre
9 a.m. Rehearsal
Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium)
10:30 a.m. Rehearsal
Rehearsal: Gold All-Star Band (E. Turner Stump Theatre)
11 a.m. Faculty Masterclasses (CVA)
Flutes: Cartwright Hall Lobby
Oboes: TBA
Clarinets: CVA Building Room 255
Saxophones: CVA Building Room 251
Bassoons: CVA Building VCR Critique Space
Trumpets: CVA Building Room 165
Horns: CVA Building Room 163
Trombones: CVA Building Room 161
Tubas: CVA Building Room 140
Percussion: Cartwright Hall
12:00 p.m. Lunch (will be provided for students)
1:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Rehearsal: Blue All-Star Band (Cartwright Auditorium)
4:00 p.m. Rehearsal
Rehearsal: Gold All-Star Band (E. Turner Stump Theatre)
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
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. Email AllStarBand@kent.edu for the link for download parts if needed.
REGISTRATION
Registration will take place at the following locations for each respective band:
Gold: Cartwright Hall (650 Hilltop Drive, Kent, Ohio 44242) (Directions; Map)
Blue: Stump Theatre (17 Theatre Dr, Kent, OH 44243) (Directions; Map)
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 at the Eastway Dining Hall on Friday and lunch 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.