Prairie Winds Festival

The University of Kansas Prairie Winds Festival 2022

February 4 - 5, 2022

An honor band, festival, and clinic for high school musicians. Featuring masterclasses and performances with special guest Hiram Diaz.

The University of Kansas Bands invites high school students to participate in the 20th annual Prairie Winds Festival in February of 2022! Sessions will include clinics with KU faculty, a final band performance in the Lied Center, performances by the KU Wind Ensemble, Crossroads Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble I, and a special clinic with Hiram Diaz, euphonium player with the "President's Own" Marine Band!    

Prairie Winds is Commuter Only

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Prairie Winds Festival is commuter only. Students must be dropped off on the morning of the 4th at Murphy Hall on KU's campus and on the 5th of February at the Lied Center.

Prairie Winds Festival Fee 

This year's Festival fee is $50. This includes a t-shirt, 3 meals, clinics with faculty and guest artists, and two concerts. Mail payment to: KU Band, 124 Murphy Hall, 1530 Naismith Dr, Lawrence, KS 66045

Prairie Winds Schedule

Friday, Murphy Hall

9:00am — Registration, 1st Floor Murphy Hall

9:30am — Seating auditions, in studios

10:30-11:45am — Lunch, DeBruce Center, on your own

12:00pm — General Meeting, 130 Murphy

12:15pm — KU Collage Recital, 130 Murphy

1:15–3:15pm — Like-instrument ensemble rehearsal

3:30pm — Like-Instrument concert, 130 Murphy

5:00pm — Dinner, provided at Murphy

6:00pm — Full band rehearsal, 130 Murphy

8:30pm — Student pick up

Saturday, Lied Center

8:30am — Student drop-off, Lied Center

9:00am — Full band rehearsal, Lied Center

School of Music Entrance Auditions

11:15am — Lunch, provided at Lied

12:00pm — Crossroads Wind Symphony concert, free and open to the public

12:50pm — Crossroads Reception, Seymour gallery

1:20pm-2:00pm — Hiram Diaz masterclass, mainstage

1:30–2:20pm — Woodwinds large group sectionals, main stage

Brass & Percussion, assigned rooms

2:30–3:20pm — Brass & Percussion large group sectional, main stage

Woodwinds, assigned rooms

3:30pm — Full band rehearsal, main stage

5:30pm — Dinner, provided at Lied

7:30pm — KU Jazz Ensemble I, KU Wind Ensemble & Prairie Winds Band Concert, Lied Center (tickets $25)

9:00pm, est. — Student pick up

Prairie Winds Faculty

Paul W. Popiel, Director of Bands

Matt Smith, Associate Director of Bands/Director, Marching Jayhawks

Martin Bergee, Music Education

Daniel Velasco, flute

Margaret Marco, oboe

Eric Stomberg, bassoon

Stephanie Zelnick, clarinet

Vince Gnojek, saxophone

Steve Leisring, trumpet

Paul Stevens, horn

Michael Davidson, trombone

Scott Watson, tuba and euphonium

Sam Um, percussion