Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026

The Ohio State University Honor Jazz Band Weekend welcomes students in grades 10–12 to campus.

Outstanding musicians, selected from high school jazz band director nominations, will be placed via video audition submission into one of two jazz bands to perform with other high-achieving students in a fun and challenging environment.

The weekend kicks off with a performance by Ohio State big bands on Friday night and concludes on Sunday with a public concert by both honor bands. 

Both concerts are free, no ticket required. 

Nomination Process

Jazz band directors — you may nominate up to ten (10) outstanding student musicians in grades 10–12 for consideration, using a link that will be provided below. We will make every effort to include at least one student from each school, within the limitations we face in achieving balanced instrumentation. 

Nominations will open here on Monday, Aug. 10

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 8

Step 1 — Assemble your list details ahead of time so that you are prepared to rank your nominees #1–#10, without duplicating a ranking.

Step 2 — NEW. We ask that you enter your nominees into the form in rank order. Enter your #1 ranked student first, then enter your #2 ranked nominee, and so on.

Step 3 — Double check each entry for accurate spelling of ALL student nominee and parent email addresses. 

• Typos result in failure to deliver messages to nominees and/or parents.

What to Expect

Students, parents and band directors will be notified of nominees' status on Monday, Sept. 14.

Selected students will join other high school musicians for an exciting weekend of concerts and high-level music making. Rehearsals will culminate in a concert of challenging and rewarding repertoire conducted by the Ohio State jazz faculty.

Accepted students and parents will receive a registration form in their status notification. The online registration and payment must be completed by Monday, Sept. 21.

Student Video

Students who have been nominated, selected to attend and plan to do so will be asked to submit a brief audition video, for the purpose of seating the honor bands. Videos must be received by us by Monday, Sept. 28. 

Cost is $125 and includes:

• Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday lunch
• Shuttle bus to and from the hotel (hotel cost not included)
• Honor Jazz Band instrument case decal
• Instruction and master classes with Ohio State jazz faculty

Families will be required to manage their own accommodations. Selected participants will be provided with the name of a recommended hotel in the area. Ohio State shuttle bus transportation will be provided between the recommended hotel and the Timashev Family Music Building for rehearsals and performances. 

Families who select a different hotel will need to provide their own transportation for their student to report to and leave all events in a timely manner.

Honor Jazz Band Weekend Highlights

Daily

Honor Jazz Band rehearsals

Friday

7:30 p.m. — Concert by three Ohio State big bands — Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Big Band and Jazz Workshop Big Band.

Saturday

• Master classes led by School of Music faculty
• Question and answer session led by School of Music recruitment team
• Jam session hosted by The Ohio State University Jazz Club

Sunday

3 p.m. — Honor Jazz Band Finale Concerts

Questions?