Honor Band Festival

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is pleased to announce the 15th Annual UNCW Honor Band Festival. In addition to working with UNCW Director of Bands and our guest conductor Dr. John Clemons, students will...

• attend performances by UNCW student and faculty ensembles
• participate in masterclasses given by UNCW music faculty
• rehearse with one of two festival bands
• make new friends from around the state
• explore UNCW's beautiful campus
• perform in the final concert on Saturday afternoon for friends and family

Festival participants are selected based on their director’s endorsement and the submission of recorded musical excerpts. There is no fee to audition! Participation fee is $70 per accepted student.

Seniors: participants of the festival will have the opportunity to audition for admission into the UNCW Department of Music on Saturday, December 5. Students auditioning at this time will receive full consideration for scholarships!

Step 1: Collect Student Information

Before submitting nominations, band directors should collect all required information from each student they plan to nominate.

Please use the Student Information Collection Form to gather and keep a record of each student's information.

Step 2: Submit Student Nominations

Band directors should submit all student nominations through the UNCW Honor Band Festival Nomination Portal.

Important: Please carefully review each student’s information for accuracy before submitting the nomination, and keep a record of all submitted information. Once a nomination is submitted through the Nomination Portal, it cannot be reviewed or edited.

Step 3: Student Audition Submission

After a student's nomination has been submitted, the student will be able to complete the audition process. Students should prepare the required audition materials and upload their recorded audition as an MP3 file through the audition system. Band directors are encouraged to remind nominated students to complete their audition submission by the deadline (November 6, 2026).

Important Reminders:

• Only band directors should submit student nominations.
• Collect and verify all student information before entering it into the Nomination Portal.
• Keep your own record of every student you nominate.
• Submitted nominations cannot currently be reviewed or modified after submission.
• After nomination, students are responsible for uploading their MP3 audition recording through the audition system.
• Please make sure all student information and audition materials are submitted by November 6, 2026.

Need Assistance?

Contact Prof. Dachuan Cao, caod@uncw.edu

We will be using the 9/10 NCBA Honors Band excerpts for our auditions. Click the Audition Sheet Music link below and download the file for your instrument to see the excerpts and audition cuts for the UNCW Honor Band Festival.

caod@uncw.edu

UNCW is an EEO/AA Institution. Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting the Department of Music at 910.962.3415 at least 10 days prior to the event.

Below is our partner hotel in the UNCW/Wilmington area. They have agreed to provide special rates for participants of the Honor Band Festival. Upon acceptance notification (November 16), do not delay in making your reservations, as hotel space is limited.

Hampton Inn and Suites
University Area/Smith Creek Station
124 Old Eastwood Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28403 
(910) 791-9899

$99/night, plus tax - two queen beds - complimentary breakfast

Call and ask for the UNCW HONOR BAND FESTIVAL rate or use the UNCW HBF HOTEL link below:

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/uncwhonorbandfest2026/ 

(Special rate is available until November 26 @ 5:00 pm)