National Concert Band Festival News Release (PDF) - Music for All

News ReleaseCONTACT:Crystal Grave, Marketing and Public Relations ManagerDirect Line: 317-524-6221 Fax 317-524-6200 Phone: 800-848-2263Crystal.G@bands.org • www.bands.orgIndianapolis to host National Concert Band & National Percussion Festivals,featuring 18 top high school wind ensembles and percussion groupsMARCH 23-25, 2006 - Eighteen of the nation’s finest high school concert bands and percussionensembles will perform by invitation in Indianapolis this March as part of the 15th annual Bandsof America National Concert Band Festival and National Percussion Festival presented byYamaha. This celebration of musical excellence is recognized as America's most prestigiousconcert band festival and the National Percussion Festival is endorsed by the Percussive ArtsSociety. The National Concert Band Festival and National Percussion Festival will be held March23-25 on the campuses of Butler University and University of Indianapolis respectively.Both Festivals bring together exemplary high school concert bands and percussion ensemblesfrom across the nation in three days of performances. The National Concert Band Festival andNational Percussion Festival are non-competitive educational events, which combine world-classperformance and evaluation opportunities with an exhilarating atmosphere of camaraderie inmusic. The events are open to the general public and are wonderful experiences for music loversof all ages.In addition to the invited ensembles, the National Concert Band Festival will also provide theperformance setting for the Honor Band of America. This prestigious ensemble will bring 101outstanding high school musicians from 25 states to Indianapolis to perform as part of thenation’s most recognized concert band festival. Ray Cramer, recently retired Director of Bands,Indiana University and one of the nation’s preeminent wind conductors, will conduct theensemble. Otis Murphy, world-acclaimed saxophonist and faculty member of Indiana University,will serve as guest soloist. The Honor Band concert will be held on Saturday, March 25 at 8p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall.“The National Concert Band Festival and National Percussion Festival shine a spotlight on thecore of our nation's school music programs–the concert ensembles,” says Scott McCormick, Bandsof America’s President and CEO. “Bands of America brings school music's focus to Indianapolisas host city of this national event which has quickly become recognized as one of the mostprivileged appearances across the country.”Wind Symphonies and percussion ensembles selected for this prestigious event hail from 10 statesacross the country, including Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, Colorado, Illinois,Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. Invited ensembles will have the privilege of performingfor their peers and the public on the Clowes Memorial Hall Stage. Performances will receiveevaluation by a panel of nationally respected educators, for the directors to use as tools for futureimprovement. Additionally, students receive instrument master classes from some of the finestmusicians in the field.The festival is being held concurrent to the Orchestra America National Festival in Hilbert CircleTheatre in Indianapolis. The Orchestra America National Festival is held in cooperation with theIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra and presents outstanding invited high school string and fullorchestras. Orchestra America is an operating division of Bands of America.-MORE-

March 23-25, 2006Bands of AmericaPage 2One Day Concert Block tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Three-DayConcert Block tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Reserved seat ticketsfor the Honor Band and Orchestra of America concert are $27, $21, and $15. Tickets may bepurchased at the Clowes Box Office, through Ticketmaster by phone at 317-239-1000, at anyTicketmaster ticket outlet, or from the Bands of America Web site at www.bands.org . Student andsenior group discount tickets are also available for groups of ten or more. Admission to theOrchestra America National Festival and National Percussion Festival is free. Contact BOA at 317-636-2263 for more information including specific performance times at both venues.Founded in 1975, Bands of America has been making a difference in the lives of young peoplefor over 30 years. More than 270,000 teens, family members and enthusiasts attend BOA eventseach year with more than 90,000 participating. Half a million worldwide access Bands of Americathrough award-winning national newsletters, the Web site (www.bands.org), video productions,and other print materials. Bands of America’s mission is to create and provide “positively lifechangingexperiences” through music for students, teachers, families and communities. Bands ofAmerica’s internationally acclaimed repertoire of events include more than 20 annual festivities in14 states, like the fall Regional and Grand National Marching Band Championships (November 8 -11, 2006, RCA Dome, Indianapolis, IN), the Summer Symposium (June 26 – July 1, 2006, IllinoisState University, Normal, IL), the Honor Band and Orchestra of America (March 25, 2006 inIndianapolis, IN), student leadership workshops and more.Bands of America’s efforts have been supported through successful sponsorships, includingcurrent partnerships with National Presenting Sponsor, the Yamaha Corporation of America;Official Uniform Sponsor, Fred J. Miller, Inc., Official Sponsor, Wenger Corporation,Corporate Sponsor, REMO, Inc., Associate Sponsors J. D’Addario & Company, Vic Firth, Inc.,Pearl Corporation and Adams Musical Instruments and Preferred Travel Partners, MusicTravel Consultants, Super Holiday Tours, and New Horizons Tour and Travel.Bands of America, Inc. is recognized as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit educational organization. Bandsof America’s world headquarters are located in historic Union Station, downtown Indianapolis.###

News ReleaseCONTACT:Crystal Grave, Marketing and Public Relations ManagerDirect Line: 317.524.6221 Fax 317.524.6200 Phone: 800.848.2263Crystal.G@bands.org • www.bands.org2006 National Concert Band Festival and National Percussion Festival presented by YamahaMarch 23-25, Clowes Memorial Hall and Christel DeHaan Fine Art Center, Indianapolis, INInvited Concert BandsProgram Location Director(s)Cy-Springs H.S. Symphonic Band Cypress, TX Russell HolcombeDobyns-Bennett H.S. Band Kingsport, TN Lafe CookDouglas Anderson School of the Arts Symphonic Band Jacksonville, FL Mark ColeEdmond Memorial H.S. Wind Ensemble Edmond, OK Lynn Ann FeroliFayette County H.S. Wind EnsembleFayetteville, GAKenneth Beard &Myra RhodenGeorgetown H.S.Wind Symphony Georgetown, TX Charles AguillonHarrison H.S. Wind Ensemble Kennesaw, GA David VandewalkerLeon H.S. Symphonic Band Tallahassee, FL Josh BulaLewis-Palmer H.S. Wind Symphony Monument, CO Raleigh Eversole, IVLockport Township H.S. Wind Symphony Lockport, IL Brian CoveyMadison Central H.S. Wind Ensemble Richmond, KY H. Brent BartonMcLean H.S. Symphonic Band McLean, VA James KirchenbauerNorthern Nash H.S. Wind Ensemble Rocky Mount, NC Erik HarrisOak Ridge H.S. Wind Ensemble Conroe, TX Jack AllenStarr’s Mill H.S. Wind Ensemble Fayetteville, GA Scott KingStephen F. Austin H.S. Honors Band Sugar Land, TX Ryan AgardInvited Percussion EnsemblesProgram Location Director(s)Carlton J. Kell H.S. Percussion Ensemble Marietta, GA Richard DietrichCy-Springs H.S. Percussion Ensemble Cypress, TX John Nelson###