Prairie Winds Festival

Prairie Winds Festival is February 5 and 6, 2027

Prairie Winds Festival Band

Boston Brass, guest artist

Festival Registration Now Open!

The University of Kansas Bands invites high school students to participate in the 25th annual Prairie Winds Festival, February 5 & 6, 2027. Sessions include clinics with KU faculty, a performance in the Lied Center, performances by the KU Wind Orchestra, KU Jazz Ensemble I, Crossroads Wind Symphony and a clinic with Boston Brass!

Prairie Winds Chair Placement Auditions

New this year, Prairie Winds will audition in advance by recorded video. This will determine chair placement and allow us to create music sooner on the Friday of Prairie Winds. Every student registered for Prairie Winds will be placed in the festival band, regardless of audition results or chair placement. Our goal is to provide all students with a rewarding opportunity to make music, learn, and grow alongside fellow musicians.

Auditions must be submitted by January 22 to kuband@ku.edu

What to include in your audition video:

Introduction: State your name, year in school, and name of school.
Chromatic Scale: Perform a full range chromatic scale.
Excerpts: Perform the listed audition excerpts for your instrument.

Audition Video Requirements

Upload your video to YouTube (or other platform) and email a link to kuband@ku.edu.
Only one video link may be submitted.
Make sure your face and playing technique remain visible throughout the entire video. Depending on your instrument, this includes your fingers, valves, keys, or slides.

Access the audition music and required excerpts below. We look forward to hearing you play and welcome you to the Prairie Winds Festival!

Prairie Winds Chair Placement Excerpts
Flute	Bari Saxophone
Piccolo	Trumpet
Clarinet	Horn
Bass Clarinet	Trombone
Oboe	Baritone TC
Bassoon	Baritone BC
Alto Saxophone	Tuba
Tenor Saxophone	Percussion

School of Music Entrance Auditions

High school seniors who participate in the Prairie Winds Festival can audition for the KU School of Music. Auditions will be scheduled during Friday's rehearsals. For more information on the School of Music programs, audition requirements, and scholarships, please visit KU Admissions.

Commuter Only

The Prairie Winds Festival is commuter only. Students must be dropped off on the morning of the 5th at Murphy Hall on KU's campus and the morning of the 6th at the Lied Center.

Festival Fee - $50

Tuition includes a t-shirt, 3 meals, clinics with faculty and guest artists and two concerts.

2027 Prairie Winds Registration

Prairie Winds Band Director Symposium

The University of Kansas Division of Music Education and Music Therapy and the University of Kansas Bands invite current and future band directors to participate in the third annual Prairie Winds Symposium, a day of professional development for band directors. Click here for more information.