State Honor Bands

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Minnesota Band Directors Association 2024 State Honor Band

Date: April 13 and 14, 2024
Location: Edina High School

6-8th Grade Honor Band

Conductor: Mickey Smith Jr., The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach
Schedule

Repertoire to be selected from:

  • Terracotta Warriors - Scott Watson - Alfred Music Publishing
  • The Blue Orchid - William Owens - TRN Music Pub. Co.
  • Choose Joy - Randall Standridge - Randall Standridge Music
  • Pipe and Thistle - Carol Brittin Chambers - Excelcia Music Publishing
  • Future of Tomorrow - Benjamin Yeo - Carl Fischer

9-10th Grade Honor Band

Conductor: Dr. Matthew Arau, Lawrence University
Schedule

Repertoire to be selected from:

  • ¡Viva! - Jack Wilds - FJH Music
  • Diamond Tide - Viet Cuong - Viet Cuong Music
  • Albanian Dance - arr. Shelley Hanson - Boosey & Hawkes
  • Halcyon Hearts - Katahj Copley - Murphy Music Press
  • The All American Concert March - Chris Sharp - FJH Music

Event questions? Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Audition questions? Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Music Mart Logo

Thank you to The Music Mart for their in-kind contribution of a large portion of the print music for the 2024 MBDA State Honor Bands! Learn more at themusicmart.biz/ !

 

Final Details: 2024 MBDA State Honor Band

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024

Dear Band Directors, Parents, Families, and Students,

We are thrilled to announce the final details for the upcoming 2024 MBDA State Honor Band weekend, which will take place on April 13 and 14. The big event is almost here! Many people have been hard at work planning and preparing, and we cannot wait for you and your talented musicians to join us for a weekend filled with music, learning, and fun.

Our event will be held at the beautiful Edina High School at 6754 Valley View Rd, in Edina, MN, and we have a fantastic weekend lined up for your students. Here are a few important details to keep in mind as we prepare for the weekend:

Registration and Payment: Parents, if you have not already done so, please make your online registration fee payment as soon as possible, and print out and complete the participation/2024 Liability Release form to bring to the event. Your student will NOT be able to participate until we have a signed Liability Release form. Medical Insurance Carrier and PolicyID/#’s are also requested. Thank you! Payments can be made at https://mbda.org/state-honor-band-payments.

Arrival and check-in: Schedules for both the 6-8 Band and the 9-10 Band are attached. Check-in for 6-8 Band students begins at 8:00 AM. Check-in for 9-10 Band students begins at 8:30 AM. You will NOT be allowed to check in early. Thank you for your cooperation. Check-in will take place in the Edina Performing Arts Center lobby. Please enter through DOOR #3 at the top of the hill. Our volunteers will be on hand to help you get settled in. Look for MBDA signage!

Hotels: Lodging accommodations have NOT been reserved for families or participants. However, some hotels we can recommend are:

  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington - Minneapolis South
  • Sheraton Bloomington Hotel
  • Holiday Inn Bloomington W MSP Airport Area
There are a number of hotels in this area, all of which are within reasonable driving distance to Edina High School.

 

Rehearsals: On Saturday, the first rehearsals will begin promptly at 8:30 AM (6-8 Band) and 9:00 AM (9-10 Band), so please make sure your students are ready to go by that time. We have a full schedule of rehearsals throughout the weekend, so please remind your students to bring all necessary music equipment and accessories for their instrument (this includes mutes, extra reeds, valve oil, etc.). Students do NOT need to bring their own music stand.

Section Coach needed: Band directors, we are still in need of a French horn section coach for the 9-10 band. If interested, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Saturday Meals: MBDA will be providing pizza lunch on Saturday for ALL participants. Sub and/or sandwich delivery dinner will be provided for 9-10 Band students only (6-8 band is dismissed at 5:00 PM Saturday evening). If your students have any specific dietary restrictions or food allergies, please let us know ahead of time so we can accommodate their needs, otherwise, we will plan to have a few vegetarian options available. Students may want to consider packing a snack to eat during breaks to keep their energy up during rehearsals.

Concert: The weekend will culminate in a fantastic concert on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM in Fick Auditorium. We encourage all parents, family members, and band directors to attend and support their talented musicians. There will be a professional recording by Westmark Productions available for students, families, and directors a few days after the concert.

Concert Attire: Students should plan to wear white on top, black on bottom for the concert. They will need to arrive wearing concert dress on Sunday as there will not be a space or time to change before the concert. Long or bow ties are encouraged. A long skirt or dress would also be appropriate. Please have close-toed shoes. Thank you! There is no dress code for Saturday rehearsals. Honor Band T-Shirts are NOT for the concert.

We hope that you and your students are as excited as we are for this wonderful weekend! If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your continued support of these awesome band students, and we look forward to seeing you soon in Edina!

Sincerely,

Willy Leafblad

MBDA State Honor Band Coordinator

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MBDA Honor Band Program Archives