The Walla Walla University Department of Music hosted the 2025 Honor Band Festival from February 5-8. The four-day event brought in 48 students from 14 schools hailing from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida to collaborate with their peers in a large instrumental group setting
The visiting students, selected by the festival’s directors, individually practiced for a month on selected pieces in preparation for this festival. Once on campus, Brandon Beck, associate professor of music, directed the ensemble, teaching the students to collaborate with one another and learn a variety of collegiate-level repertoire. Students also got a sense of the style and approach to music that WWU professors take. Many former participants in music department festivals remember the event as a key factor in their decision to attend WWU.
Outside of practice, the visiting students had the opportunity to experience campus life at WWU and explore potential studies in the Department of Music. A festival concert was hosted on Feb. 8 which showcased all the students had learned. To learn more about the WWU Department of Music and upcoming events, please visit photographywaltz.com/music.
Posted Feb. 28, 2025.
