November 14-16, 2025
A selective experience for high school students from across the Northwest US and Canada.
John Mackey - Guest Composer
“Electrifying: A terse, powerful explosion of transformative energy.” The New York Times
John Mackey has written for orchestras (Brooklyn Philharmonic, New York Youth Symphony), theater (Dallas Theater Center), and extensively for dance (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Parsons Dance Company, New York City Ballet), but the majority of his work for the past decade has been for wind ensembles (the fancy name for concert bands), and his band catalog now receives annual performances numbering in the thousands.
Conductors
Reviews
"This was the most amazing experience! Everyone was just as passionate about band as I am!!" - Former All-Star participant
"This was an incredible opportunity for my students to experience music at a high level and play alongside excellent musicians from schools throughout the Northwest.” - Director
"Wonderful event. Great venue on a walkable, clean campus. I would definitely like to have my daughter return next year.” - Parent
NOMINATION PROCESS
Director Nominations (preferred) CLOSED FOR 2025
Thank you for taking some of your time to help organize your students' participation. A little bit of oversight really helps the success of the event and the student experience.
Student Self-Nominations - CLOSED FOR 2025
It is preferred that nominations go through your high school director. However, in certain cases, we understand that is not possible and welcome your self-nomination.
Deadline
Nominations must be received by Friday, September 26th.
Notification
Directors and students will be notified of the results via email on October 1st.
Registration
Once you are notified that you are chosen, please complete the registration and payment.
Registration Fee: $135
Includes:
- All event activities
- Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday light brunch
- Streaming access. Access to the concert video file.
- Registration and payment dedadline, FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2025
REGISTRATION (complete first) - Students must complete with parents.
PAY WITH CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD - For schools or parents to pay for one or more students on a secure site.
PAY WITH A CHECK:
- Schools are sent invoices. If needed, please request by emailing Dr. Smart.
Schedule
Begins - Friday, Nov. 14th, 12:30pm-1:45pm MST: Check-in opens (UM School of Music Lobby)
Ends - Sunday, Nov. 16th, 2:00pm MST (Final Concert @12:00 pm MST)
Concerts
FRIDAY & SUNDAY CONCERTS
Saturday, Nov. 15, 7:30 PM, Dennison Theatre - UM Ensembles Host Concert
UM Commercial Music Ensemble & UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble
All-Star participants are FREE. Public pays admission.
Tickets available @ .
Sunday, Nov. 16, 12:00 PM, Dennison Theatre - High School All-Star Concert
Both Silver Bands and the Maroon Band.
Sheet Music Downloads
Practice Tools
Play-Along drum grooves
- for the two fast pieces for each band.
Full Band Recordings
Silver Band - Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor
- History of Tomorrow - Dayla Spencer
- Some Treasures are Heavy with Human Tears
- Let Me Be Frank With You
Silver Band - Prof.. David Stewart, conductor
- Teeth of the Mechanism
- Sheltering Sky
- Strange Humors
Maroon Band - Dr. James Smart, conductor
- Ringmasters March
- This Cruel Moon
- Haunted Objects
Lodging & Meals
Lodging - Reserved and paid for by parents or schools. Discounted rates below.
Comfort Inn University - Festival Hotel
Located just east of downtown and across the river from the UM campus. Rooms have two queen beds per room or a king bed with pullout sofa with a maximum occupancy of four. All rooms include breakfast.
Other Options: You are welcome to reserve rooms in other hotels. Another option would be orproperties. We recommend that you do this at your soonest convenience (after notification that you have been accepted) because it is a home game weekend and demand is high.
Combining with other schools - If you want to combine with people from other schools into fewer rooms to help defray costs we will distribute a list of directors with emails and a Facebook Group
Meals
Lunches and dinners are provided by UM are included in the participant registration price. Breakfasts are not provided by the festival. We will have snacks/light fare on Sunday morning just before the concert. There are vegetarian, gluten-free and diary-free options.
Supervision & Communication
Supervision
- On-campus: (8:30 am until 8:30 pm) students are kept to a tight schedule. 100+ UM music students and faculty are leading participants in rehearsals, classes, travel to and from the stadium (in years with a game), and travel to and from the cafeteria throughout the weekend. Many directors and parents also choose to help supervise.
- Off-campus: For the time All-Star participants are away from campus for lodging, they must arrange for adult supervision either by their parent, their band director or another participant's parent or band director. The adult is also responsible for dropping off and picking up students under their supervision.
Communication
- Student and parent phone numbers are used to facilitate fast and easy communication.
- For current group information we also use the app REMIND. You do not need the app to join. Click OR
Parking
2025 Parking
Friday 11/14: Info coming soon.
Saturday, 11/15: FREE anywhere except handicap
Sunday, 11/16: FREE anywhere except handicap
What to Wear and Bring
- Rehearsals – casual attire
- Sunday Concert – Same concert dress as your home high school or concert black.
- Mutes as called for in the music. Reeds, oils, greases, etc.
- A great attitude and a willingness to meet others.
91次元 Scholarship Auditions
- UM School of Music scholarship auditions are available to seniors during the event.
- Music scholarships cover from 10%-80% of tuition, can be bundled with most academic/leadership scholarships, and can be awarded to both in-state and out-of-state students.
- Auditions are ten minutes in length.
- Scholarship audition requirements are listed on the School of Music website at the following link: Audition Information
- Call or email Laura Clague at 406-243-6881 for scheduling.