Festivals & Camps

The Winter Festival is a unique concert honor band festival for all high school brass, woodwind and percussion players. The festival is designed to give participants an outstanding and comprehensive playing experience. Festival participants are chosen through a recorded audition process. Students attending the festival are involved in various musical experiences: an honor band; masterclasses with the Glenn Korff School of Music's talented applied wind and percussion faculty; and a large symphonic band that combines the festival honor band with the University Wind Ensemble.

The Winter Festival dates are January 31 - February 2, 2025. The application deadline is midnight on Friday, December 3, 2024.

The application form will go live on September 20, 2024.

Go to the Festival website for more information.

If you have questions, please email the Band Office or call 402/472-2505.

Deadline: December 3, 2024

Sopranos and altos enrolled in high school choral programs are invited to participate in the UNL Soprano-Alto Choral Festival on Monday, April 14, 2025 at St. Paul United Methodist Church (Lincoln, NE). Each year we celebrate the continuing tradition of the power and beauty of treble voices raised in song. 

There is no fee for participation. You have the option of only performing the three festival pieces or having your choir also perform two or three songs separately for the concert. 

Attire for the festival rehearsals is casual. If you have school spirit clothes to wear, that is highly encouraged. For the concert, please wear your regular concert attire.

The repertoire for the festival is listed below and may be ordered through any reputable sheet music retailer. The leadership of the University Chorale will be present with the choir for the majority of the day. Together, we hope to give your students a positive choral music experience!

2025 Festival Repertoire:

La li ley by Tracy Wong published by Hinshaw Music

Silver Rain by B.E. Boykin published by Oxford University Press

Walk Together Children arr. Stacy V. Gibbs published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc.

Dear Old Nebraska U arr. David von Kampen, music will be provided electronically

Student Registration

Deadline: January 20, 2025

Contact: Dr. Marci DeAmbrose

Related website: Festival Info

This camp is a dynamic summer experience for middle school students passionate about music and looking to expand their skills. Designed for students entering grades 6 through 8, the camp is hosted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and offers a fresh, immersive approach to band. Over the course of a week, young musicians explore the foundations of music creation, from composing original pieces to improvising with others, all in a supportive and creative environment.

Guided by experienced instructors and professional performers, campers will learn new techniques, explore the history and future of music, and develop the confidence to express themselves. Through interactive lessons, performance games, and collaboration with peers, students are encouraged to unleash their creativity and push their musical boundaries. Whether they’re beginners or experienced players, this camp provides a space for everyone to grow, play, and discover new possibilities in music.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln High School Marching Band Camp fosters leadership, marching fundamentals, and performance skills in all areas of the high school marching band. Participants receive intensive instruction from clinicians on an individual and group basis. The age range of campers is students entering the 9th grade through leaving 12th grade (including graduates). Note: This camp is NOT the second-round of auditions for admission into the Cornhusker Marching Band.

Most clinic sessions take place outdoors, so participants must come prepared with sunscreen, cool clothing and athletic shoes. The camp finale is an exhibition performance in Memorial Stadium on the final day of the camp. All camp participants perform at this exhibition. All campers are encouraged to live on campus during the camp to take full advantage of evening work sessions and planned activities. Students choosing the resident camper package live in a campus residence hall and dine in the hall's cafeteria. Each floor is supervised by several live-in counselors. Campers must provide their own musical instrument and all accessories such as music lyres, percussion sticks, and flip folders. The University Band Program can provide a limited number of front ensemble percussion instruments. Lockers are available in Westbrook Music Building.

Open to students entering grades 9 through 12 and 2025 graduates. This is a week-long camp where students who love singing and dancing can perform with other talented students from around the Midwest while having fun.