The NKU Bands Program is proud to once again present the Tri-State Honor Band Symposium, and I am thrilled to be able to host the event for the first time as Director of Bands. This year’s Symposium will take place during the weekend of 12-14 January, on the campus of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY.

Participating students will rehearse and perform with one of two Symposium ensembles, will attend masterclasses by NKU music faculty, and will enjoy camaraderie and the fellowship of like-minded high school musicians from the tri-state area. Throughout the event’s history, NKU has hosted thousands of young student-musicians, and we are hoping to see you here as we bring this event back for the first time post-Covid.

This year’s Symposium will feature two ensembles: the Wind Orchestra (by audition), and the Wind Symphony (by director recommendation). If you are interested in auditioning for the Wind Orchestra, please submit an application form and download the audition excerpts from the Audition Information section. For those interested in the Wind Symphony, please ask your director to fill out and submit the Director Nomination Form.

A Professional Development session will also be available for interested band directors. All rehearsals and masterclasses are open to directors and parents. The Sunday afternoon Finale concert at 1 p.m. is free admission, and will be held in Greaves Concert Hall.

The conductors for the 2024 Tri-State Honor Bands will be Dr. Nikk Pilato, Director of Bands at Northern Kentucky University (Wind Orchestra), and Professor John Schnettler, Associate Director of Bands, Austin Peay University (Wind Symphony). Our guest artist for the event will be composer John Mackey, who will work with both ensembles, and will have a roundtable discussion with directors and our guests.