The EKU School of Music hosts over a dozen events annually, bringing together 1,000 different young musicians to perform, learn and continue their musical journey. Check out the different events based on your area of interest!
For Band Students
High School Honor Bands
EKU High School Honor Bands are open to all band students in grades 9 – 12 upon the recommendation of their band director. Students will be selected based on the teacher recommendation process, and placed in one of three bands based on auditions. Students rehearse over two days and perform Saturday evening for parents and peers.
Contact: Dr. Rebekah Daniel and Dr. Tim Wiggins
Email: rebekah.daniel@eku.edu and timothy.wiggins@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1351, 859-622-3471
High School Honor Bands
Middle School Honor Bands
EKU Middle School Honor Bands are open to all band students in grades 6 – 8 upon the recommendation of their band director. Students will be selected based on the teacher recommendation process, and placed in one of three bands based. Students rehearse over just one day and perform that evening for parents and peers.
Contact: Dr. Rebekah Daniel and Dr. Tim Wiggins
Email: rebekah.daniel@eku.edu and timothy.wiggins@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1351, 859-622-3471
Middle School Honor Bands
Marching Colonel for a Day
EKU’s Marching Colonel for a Day program provides high school students the opportunity to perform with the Marching Colonels at Roy Kidd Stadium during a home football game. This event is open to all high school marching band members. Students rehearse over just one day and perform that evening for parents and peers.
Contact: Dr. Tim Wiggins
Email: timothy.wiggins@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-3471
Marching Colonel for a Day
Double Reed Day
EKU Double Reed Day is a one-day event designed to educate and inspire oboists and bassoonists of all ages and skill levels. Students will participate in master classes, reed-making classes, a double reed choir rehearsal and performance, and a chamber music recital presented by EKU faculty, students, and friends. Bring your instruments and reed-making kit if you have one! The EKU Double Reed Day is open to middle school, high school, college students, and oboe and bassoon enthusiasts of all ages. Middle school students with less than one year of experience may be admitted with a recommendation from their band director or private teacher.
Contact: Dr. Julie Smith (oboe) or Dr. Heather Kulengowski (bassoon)
Email: julie.smith@eku.edu and heather.kulengowski@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-3266
Clarinet Day
EKU Clarinet Day occurs each spring on campus. It is a full day of events held in Foster Music Building and Gifford Theatre, and includes a clarinet master class, recitals, exhibits where students can try out new equipment and instruments, and the opportunity to play in the Clarinet Day Choir.
Contact: Dr. Adria Sutherland
Email: adria.sutherland@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1342
Trombone Day
EKU Trombone Day occurs each fall on campus. It is a full day of events held in Foster Music Building and Gifford Theatre, and includes a trombone master class, recitals, exhibits where students can try out new equipment and instruments, and the opportunity to play in the Trombone Day Choir.
Contact: Dr. Nate Siler
Email: nathan.siler@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1429
Flute & Clarinet All-State Clinic
The EKU Flute and Clarinet All State Clinic happens each fall on campus. It is a full day of events held in Foster Music Building. Students participate in group and individual master class help in preparing for All-State auditions.
Contact: Dr. Adria Sutherland & Dr. Kris Kean
Email: adria.sutherland@eku.edu and kristen.kean@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1342 and 859-622-1340
For Choir Students
High School Choral Day
EKU’s annual High School Choral Day is a one-day event designed to prepare students for the Kentucky All-State Choir auditions. One to two additional pieces are also included in order to give students a variety of musical experiences. Led by EKU’s choral faculty and graduate students, the event hosts students from throughout the state who come to experience a unique learning opportunity with their fellow choral musicians. The day features choir sectionals and full rehearsals on the selected repertoire, culminating with a public performance featuring all Choral Day participants as well as the EKU choral ensembles.
Contact: Dr. Richard Waters
Email: richard.waters@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1336
EKU Choral Day
For String Students
EKU Honors Orchestra
Honors Orchestra is open to all orchestral string students in grades 6 – 12 upon the recommendation of their band director. Students will be selected based on the teacher recommendation process, and placed in one of three bands based. Students rehearse over just one day and perform that evening for parents and peers.
Contact: Dr. David Galant
Email: david.galant@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1355
EKU Guitar Festival
Guitar ensembles and individual guitarists from around the state and region are invited to participate and perform at this festival. The Festival Concert will feature select groups and all festival participants will perform in the finale concert with the EKU Guitar Festival Orchestra. Attendees do not need to belong to a high school guitar ensemble to participate. High school ensemble directors are encouraged to contact Dr. Davis to discuss performance opportunities for their ensemble. Pre-high school guitar participants should contact Dr. Davis to make sure their skill level allows them to participate.
Contact: Dr. Dennis Davis
Email: dennis.davis@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-5007
Foster Music Camp
Stephen Collins Foster Summer Music Camp
Located on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camp has provided outstanding musical experiences to the young musicians of the Commonwealth and surrounding states for decades. Each season promises to be no exception to the tradition that has made the Foster Camp so special to those who have attended. Whether you are an instrumentalist, keyboardist, or vocalist, we promise that you will not go home without capturing some of the spirit that has characterized Foster for these many years.
For more information, visit the Foster Music Camp website.