The Drake Wind Symphony and Drake Concert Band kicked off the 38th Annual Drake University Honor Band Festival with a concert on Friday, Dec. 5.
The festival will continue as nearly 300 high school students from across Iowa and Nebraska perform as members of the Honors Wind Ensemble and Honors Concert Band. The students will perform at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Performing Arts Hall. The performance is free and open to the public.
“The festival provides an exceptional ensemble experience for high school student to perform under the baton of the nation’s finest band conductors,” said Robert Menuier, Drake professor of percussion and director of bands.
This year, Andrew Trachsel, Drake graduate and interim director of concert bands at Ohio University, will serve as the guest conductor for the Honors Concert Band. Guest conductor Thomas Lee, who serves as professor, director of bands and conductor of the UCLA Wind Ensemble, will lead the Honors Wind Ensemble.