Friday, Jan. 31 — Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 *
One of the longest-running and finest events of its kind, this annual offering welcomes students in grades 9–12 to campus. Outstanding musicians, selected from director nominations, will be placed via video audition submission into one of three bands — Honors Wind Symphony, Scarlet Symphonic Band and Gray Symphonic Band.
All bands will perform on Sunday afternoon in Weigel Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.
*NOTE: The 2025 event does not occur on Martin Luther King weekend, as in the past.
Band Directors — Nomination Process
Band directors — you may nominate up to 20 outstanding student musicians in grades 9–12 for consideration. We will make every effort to include at least one student from each school, within the limitations we face in achieving balanced instrumentation.
Deadline for nominations: FRIDAY, NOV. 1.
Step 1 — Assemble your list details ahead of time so that you are prepared to rank your nominees #1–#20, 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.
Nominations open Monday, Sept. 23. A link will be provided here.
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, NOV. 1
What to Expect
Students, parents and band directors will be notified of nominees' status on or before Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Students invited to participate will be required to complete a registration form and submit payment online or by check.
Participating students will be asked to submit a placement audition via video submission. Instructions will be provided during the registration process.
Selected students will join other advanced high school musicians from around the state and beyond 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 University band faculty.
- Master classes by School of Music faculty
- An opening concert by The Ohio State University Wind Symphony
- Instruction from studio and band faculty
- Honor Band T-shirt
- Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday lunch
- Breakfast is provided at the hotels for hotel residents
- Shuttle bus to and from the hotels
- Supervision of students while at the hotels
Cost
Commuter ($110) — Students who will commute to campus each day will NOT need a hotel. This option is typically for students who live in the Columbus area.
Resident ($250) — Students who require housing while on campus for the Honor Band weekend will stay in a hotel (2 students/room; 2-night stay).
Honor Band Weekend Highlights
Daily Honor Band rehearsals
Friday Concert by The Ohio State University Wind Symphony
Saturday
- Master classes led by School of Music faculty
- Question and Answer session led by School of Music recruitment team
Sunday Honor Band concerts — open to the public.
Questions?
Contact HSHonorBand.osu.edu for questions or clarification about High School Honor Band Weekend.