WWU hosts Honor Band Festival

The Walla Walla University Department of Music hosted the 2025 Honor Band Festival from February 5–8. The four-day event welcomed 48 students representing 14 high schools in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida, to collaborate with 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. Once on campus, Brandon Beck, WWU 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 received 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 held on February 8, which showcased all the students had learned.

For more info about the WWU Department of Music and upcoming events, visit wallawalla.edu/music.