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Middle School Honors Band Festival

November 15, 2024 November 17, 2024

UWM Music Wind Ensemble Band CAL PLACEHOLDER
DatesAgesLocationContact
November 15–17, 202411–13Zelazo Center for the Performing Artsms-honors-band@uwm.edu

The UWM Middle School Honors Band Festival is one of the longest standing events of its kind. Our festival provides the region’s most motivated and accomplished middle school instrumentalists an opportunity to work with each other and with regionally and nationally recognized wind band conductors. In addition, students interact with UWM performance staff and experience performances by UWM ensembles.

Director Nominations

Only students who are nominated by their band director are eligible to attend. Nominations are open to all band directors. If you or your organization plan to pay for some or all student fees, please contact us during the director nomination period.

Students will be notified via email of their acceptance to the festival, or their wait-list designation, after being processed by UWM Bands staff.

  1. Please download the nomination form and use any spreadsheet software to edit. Be sure to fill in your director information in the header portion.
  2. Review nomination data formatting as organized by column headers and the first-row sample. Afterwards, please delete the sample row.
  3. Enter student data for each nomination. Remember to assign a rank that represents their overall ranking among ALL of your nominees, regardless of instrument or grade level. NOTE: Each rank number should only appear once.
    • We will use this data to form three equal and randomly assigned festival bands and create chair rankings within each band. Please consider the data you provide on each student carefully. 
  4. Once all nominations have been entered, save the file with this filename format: “DirLastName_SchoolName.” Email the file to ms-honors-band@uwm.edu prior to the October 15 nomination deadline. 
  5. If you need to revise nominations after you have submitted them, please notify Dr. Corley directly at scorley@uwm.edu
  6. Directors will be notified of their nominees’ festival status (accepted or wait-listed) around October 23. The accepted students’ pre-registration period is October 25-November 8. Separate information regarding this process will be sent directly to those families/homes.  

Only students who are nominated by their school band director before Monday, October 21 are eligible to attend the festival.

 Please download and complete the nomination spreadsheet and email it to ms-honors-band@uwm.edu. If you or your organization plan to pay for some or all student registration fees, please let us know during this nomination period.

Student Registration

Students are notified via email of their acceptance determination, and if accepted, their individual honor band assignment. Students notified as alternates are added to a wait list and will be notified if an opening occurs.

Accepted students will be emailed by Friday, October 25 and should complete registration by Friday, November 1 using the link found in their acceptance email. If assistance is needed, please contact the Box Office.

Registration is $95 per student, which includes all instruction, rehearsal spaces, music, and administrative fees. A $40 discount is available for students who are also enrolled in UWAY or the UWM String Academy by emailing their respective UWM instructors to receive a discount code. It also includes admission to the final concert for the students’ family and other supporters (no physical tickets necessary). All Festival registration payments are non-refundable.

Conductors

Dr. Shelley Jagow

Dr. Shelley Jagow is Professor of Music at Wright State University School of Music (Dayton, OH) where she serves as Director of Bands conducting both the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, and teaches conducting at the undergraduate and graduate level. She earned top honors in Music Education degrees from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) and the University of Missouri (Columbia) where respective mentors include Marvin Eckroth, Dale Lonis, Martin Bergee and Wendy Sims. She earned her Ph. D. in Music Education at the Union Institute & University (Cincinnati) where Colonel Timothy Foley, Frank Battisti, and Edward Wingard served as her mentors. In addition to studies in education, saxophone and conducting, Shelley earned the Certificate in Piano Performance IX from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and was previously nominated for both the “Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching” Award and the “Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research” Award.

As an artist clinician with Conn-Selmer, Vandoren, Meredith Music, and GIA Music, “Dr. J” enjoys working with school bands and presents clinics, performances, adjudications, and serves as honor band conductor at various state, national and international events. Some activities include State Music Educators Conferences, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA), the International Society for Music Education (ISME), the College Music Symposium (CMS), the World Saxophone Congress, and the United States Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium. Shelley has presented in various states/provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, California, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Rhode Island, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington D.C.; including international venues: Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Spain. 

Shelley previously served as coach for the WSU student Avion Saxophone Quartet, which can be heard on Apple Music/iTunes. All members of the quartet were chosen annually on a highly selective audition process, and include music education and/or performance majors at Wright State University. The Avion Saxophone Quartet is a recipient of the Edgar Hardy Scholarship, the Dayton Chamber Music Society Scholarship, the Chamber Music Institute Fellowship, and the Wright State University Presidential Commendation for Excellence. The quartet has commissioned and premiered works from composers across the world. Shelley herself can be heard performing on the Emeritus Recording label, on National Public Radio Performance Today, and America’s Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax.

Shelley is a regular contributing author to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series (GIA Music), and is author of the book Teaching Instrumental Music: Developing the Complete Band Program  (2nd edition)(Meredith Music)—a resource rapidly becoming the adopted textbook for music education degree study across the United States and Canada. Additional book publications include Tuning for Wind Instruments: A Roadmap to Successful Intonation (Meredith Music), Intermediate Studies for Developing Artists on the Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone and Bassoon (Meredith Music), and The Londeix Lectures a 13+ hours DVD set archiving the historical music lectures of Professor Jean-Marie Londeix (and translated by William Street). Growing up riding horses and helping on the farm in her native Saskatchewan (Canada), Shelley continues to enjoy the outdoors, gardening, exploring independent craft breweries, and sharing a love for all animals. Website: www.shelleyjagow.com

Dr. Stacey Larson Dolan

Dr. Stacey Larson Dolan is the Chief Academic Officer, Undergraduate Dean and Associate Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music. Dr. Dolan advises and teaches students through a variety of music education and conducting courses, as well as bands at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Prior to 2004 and her appointment at VanderCook, Dr. Dolan taught at the middle school and high school level in both private and public education. She was on the design and teaching staff of the National Champion Lake Park Marching Band for twelve years and was the creative director and conductor of the Bensenville Young Musicians Mentor Band from 1995-2007.

Originally from Itasca, IL, Dr. Dolan has acted as a guest conductor, presenter and clinician for hundreds of bands from the United States, Europe, Canada and China. Honor band conducting experiences include the Tianjin International School in Tianjin, China, the Tri-State Honor Band in Morehead, KY, the Music For All Summer Symposium, ILMEA, PMEA, OMEA, and many guest conducting and adjudication experiences throughout the U.S. She was the recipient of the IGSMA Barbara Buehlman Young Conductor Award and the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award, has received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from both Itasca School District #10 and VanderCook College of Music. Dr. Dolan has been published in the Instrumentalist and her professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, Vice President of AIMS, NBA, and CBDNA. Dr. Dolan earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Millikin University and Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music. She earned an EdD from the University of Northern Colorado with a minor in applied statistics and research methods. Her research areas of interest include music teacher education, teacher assessment, and teacher resilience. She currently lives in Whiting, IN with her wonderful husband Bob and their newfy-poo Lucy.

Mrs. Kathryn Ripley

Kathy Ripley is the Band Director at Tremper High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she received her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Iowa and her Master of Music in flute performance from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She taught Instrumental Music in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona and New York before coming to Wisconsin. She is currently in her 24th year teaching in the Kenosha Unified School district and last year was awarded the Spark Award for Excellence in Teaching. At Tremper, Kathy conducts four concert bands, two jazz ensembles and AP Music Theory. Under her direction, the bands have earned Division 1 ratings at the WSMA large group contest every year and have travelled to New Orleans, Myrtle Beach, New York City, Toronto, and Disney World in Orlando. Kathy plays flute and piccolo with the Kenosha and Racine Symphony Orchestras, the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra and is the assistant director of the Kenosha Pops Summer Band. Kathy stays active as a flute clinician and adjudicator for Wisconsin School Music Association and the Iowa High School Music Association and is currently serving as the the flute clinician for the WSMA Honors Project. Kathy also maintains a private flute studio. Kathy and her family are all active musicians. Her husband, Jim, is the Director of Instrumental Activities at Carthage College in Kenosha. Her son, Erik, is a computer programmer in Milwaukee and plays gigs on trombone. While her daughter, Jacy, is the trumpet professor at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

Kathryn Ripley is the band director at Tremper High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. At Tremper, she conducts 4 concert bands, 2 jazz ensembles and teaches AP Music theory. She has been in that position since 2013. Before coming to Tremper, she taught Band at Lance Middle School in Kensoha. KathyShe has new assistant director of the Kenosha Pops Band. . Before moving to Wisconsin, Mrs. Ripley has taught bands in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona and New York.

Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mrs. Ripley holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Iowa and a Master of Music in Flute performance from Northern Arizona University. An advocate of Community Bands, her first summer job was playing with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. Ripley is a member of the Racine Symphony flute section and performs with the Kenosha Symphony and the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra. Mrs Ripley and her husband Jim, live in Kenosha and have two grown children, Erik and Jacy.

Schedule

Friday (Nov. 15)Saturday (Nov. 16)Sunday (Nov. 17)
No dinner break – be sure to eat a snack before arrival9 a.m.–12 p.m. – RehearsalsMorning – Final dress rehearsals
4–5 p.m. – Registration12:30–1:15 p.m. – Lunch *Students are responsible for their own meals.Lunch*Students are responsible for their own meals.
1:15–1:45 p.m. – UWM Youth Wind Ensemble (UWAY) Performance
5–8 p.m. – Seating for ensembles and first rehearsals1:45–5 p.m. – Rehearsals, sectionals, performances1–4 p.m. – Festival Finale Concerts (see below)
5–7:30 p.m. – Dinner *Students are responsible for their own meals.
7:30 p.m.UWM Wind Ensemble & Symphony Band performance. Free for Honors Band participants and one guest using the code in your acceptance email.
Participating students must commit to the full duration of all activities. A more detailed schedule will be available to students prior to the festival.
*UWM staff releases custodial care to parents/guardians during all meal breaks.

Festival Finale Concerts

Concerts take place on Sunday, November 17 and are free and open to participating students, their families, and band directors – no tickets necessary.

Jagow Honors Band

Performance time: 1 p.m.

Dolan Honors Band

Performance time: 2 p.m.

Ripley Honors Band

Performance time: 3 p.m.

Special Instrumental Needs

  • Flute Students: Should bring a piccolo if you have access to one and want to be considered for piccolo parts. Piccolo assignments will be made under the leadership of the guest conductor/clinician.
  • Brass Students: Trumpet and trombone students should bring straight mutes. Other mutes may be requested during the weekend.
  • Percussion Students: Please bring the following four items. If borrowing instruments from school consult your band director first.
    • A pair of general-purpose snare sticks
    • Keyboard mallets
    • Timpani mallets
    • Either a triangle with beater or a tambourine

Attire

Casual school clothing is appropriate for festival rehearsals and other activities. For the concert, please wear what you would wear for your own school band concerts. Other suggestions are:

Option 1

  • Top: White button-down, long-sleeved dress shirt (a tie is optional).
  • Bottom: Black dress or dark chino-style pants and belt, dark (black) socks, black dress shoes (no sneakers or athletic shoes).

Option 2

  • Top: White long-sleeved top/blouse with a close neckline.
  • Bottom: Black skirt/dress with a hemline at the calf or to the floor and black socks/hosiery. Black dress pants are also acceptable. Black dress shoes (no sneakers or athletic shoes).

Meals

Limited UWM Union dining facilities will be open during the festival to attendees and to the public. Other restaurants near campus are also available within a four-block walk. Students and parents are free to make meal arrangements that fit their needs. UWM Bands staff releases custodial care to parents/guardians during all festival meal breaks and participants will not be accompanied during this time.  

Emergencies

Office staff is available at (414) 229-5641 during the festival schedule in case of emergencies. UWM Police Non-Emergency line is (414) 229-4627.

Parking

UWM has many parking options, including metered street parking, university parking structures and lots. Participants and patrons are responsible for following posted parking regulations. Students are responsible for arranging prompt pick-up and drop-off plans. For campus details please see the campus map.

Parent/Guardian Information

  • The UWM Honors Band Festival releases participants to the custodial care of their parent/guardian during non-instructional times (see schedule above).
  • Parents are not required to stay with students during Festival activities. When students are released from UWM’s custodial care (during any non-instructional time), parents may wish to designate another adult for their supervision or make arrangements with a “carpool” group to help facilitate mealtime plans and/or commuting to/from campus. 
  • Meal and lodging plans (if necessary) are the responsibility of each participant’s family. Food and lodging are not provided by the Festival. 
  • All UWM Honors Band Festival rehearsals are open, public events. All interested parents and teachers are welcomed to observe.
2419 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53211

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