The "Best of the West" Music Festival is a multi-day event whose participants consist of more than 280 talented high school musicians, a nationally renowned guest artist/performer or ensemble, a guest composer, and 3 in-demand guest conductors. Events include performances by guest artists, multiple PRISM concerts featuring CMU students and faculty, masterclasses, sessions for music teachers seeking graduate/continuing education credit and a performance of 3 large high school select bands culminating from one and a half days of vigorous rehearsals and sectionals. In 2000 this festival began as a one-day event. Since then, thanks to the generous support of Karen Combs and leadership from CMU Director of Bands (Calvin Hofer, retired, & Jonathan Hinkle, current), the event has developed tremendously into a 3-day affair that has received national attention and has commissioned and premiered many works for wind band and other instrumental ensembles, many of which are now being performed around the world.
See below for audition information and excerpts
High School Band Directors nominate their students based on who would:
• best represent your school (prepared students only please)
• benefit from this experience
• make a positive contribution to the festival
• be able to play at least Grade 2.5 level music
Once you nominate them, they are IN! Auditions are for chair placement within one of the bands.
Submission of Nominations
The festival is accepting a total of 270 nominations. Early submission is highly recommended. You may nominate the following number of students based on the total number of students in your band program, grades 9–12:
| # of students in your band program: | You may nominate: |
| 20 or fewer students | up to 10 students |
| 21-50 students | up to 12 students |
| 51-75 students | up to 15 students |
| 76-100 students | up to 20 students |
| 101+ students | up to 25 students |
• No limit on the number of oboes, bassoons and horns a school may nominate.
• Oboes, bassoons and horns do not count towards your limit.
• Limit of two saxophonists per school: one alto; one tenor OR bari.
• Limit of two percussionists per school.
Deadline – November 15, 5pm | FEE: $35 per student
Nominate a student
• Once you submit your nominations, the students are accepted! They may download the audition excerpts below.
Schedule: December 5-7, 2024
*Friday night dinner, all performances, masterclasses, sessions and additional break snacks included in participant registration dues.
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ThursdayGuest artist performance 7:30pm
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FridayWorking sessions and banquet 8am-9pm • Select band seating placements, double-reed workshop, rehearsals with guest conductors, sectionals with CMU faculty, sessions for high school directors with various guests, banquet
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FridayPRISM Concert 7:30pm
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SaturdayClasses and rehearsals 8:30am-5pm • Masterclasses with guest artist(s) and/or CMU faculty, rehearsals and sectionals
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SaturdaySelect band performances 3pm • Free and open to the public
Guest Artists
Three guests conductors, one or more guest artist/s, and one guest composer.
Festival Director
Jonathan Hinkle, PhD
Director of Bands
[email protected]
Best of the West offered as graduate/continuing education credit
Register for Credit
Syllabus
Chair/band placement/audition music
1. Excerpt
Choose and prepare the excerpt posted below for the instrument you wish to participate on/with at the festival. Or play one of the CO All-State Band excerpts of your choosing (lyrical or technical). Remember, CMU has great All-State help videos here.
2. Scales
Play a 2-octave chromatic scale - range/start/stop, tempo, articulation of student's choosing. Students will NOT be required to perform any other scales.