Prairie Winds Festival
The 2025 Prairie Winds Festival is Feb 7-8, 2025
Registration opens October 11!
The University of Kansas Bands invites high school students to participate in the 23rd annual Prairie Winds Festival! Sessions include clinics with KU faculty, a performance in the Lied Center, performances by the KU Wind Ensemble, KU Jazz Ensemble I, Crossroads Wind Symphony and PROJECT Trio!
Commuter Only
The Prairie Winds Festival is commuter only. Students must be dropped off on the morning of the 7th at Murphy Hall on KU's campus and the morning of the 8th at the Lied Center.
Festival Fee
Tuition includes a t-shirt, 3 meals, clinics with faculty and guest artists and two concerts.
Faculty
The University of Kansas faculty work directly with students, including master classes, clinics, chamber music coaching, and ensemble rehearsals.
Paul W. Popiel, Dean
Matthew O. Smith, Interim Director of Bands
Sharon Toulouse, Associate Director of Bands
Melissa Sawyer, Assistant Director of Bands
Daniel Velasco, flute
Margaret Marco, oboe
Midori Samson, bassoon
Stephanie Zelnick, clarinet
Geoffrey Landman, saxophone
Steve Leisring, trumpet
Aaron Romm, trumpet
Kelly Misko, horn
Michael Davidson, trombone
David Earll, tuba and euphonium
Garrett Arney, percussion
Erin Wood, harp
| Friday Schedule |
|---|
| 9:00am, Registration, 1st Floor Murphy Hall |
| 9:15am, Seating auditions, studios |
| 10:30-11:45am, Lunch, DeBruce Center, on your own |
| 12:00pm, General Meeting, 130 Murphy |
| 12:15pm, KU Collage Recital, 130 Murphy |
| 1:00pm, Like-instrument ensemble rehearsal |
| 2:30pm, Like-Instrument concert, 130 Murphy |
| 4:00pm, Dinner, 1st Floor Murphy Hall |
| 5:00pm, Full band rehearsal, 130 Murphy |
| 7:15pm, Student pick-up, Murphy Hall |
| Saturday Schedule |
|---|
| 8:30am, Student drop-off, Lied Center |
| 9:00am, Full band rehearsal, mainstage & SOM Auditions, assigned rooms |
| 11:15am, Lunch, Seymour Gallery |
| 12:00pm, Concert - Jazz I - Lied Center, free and open to the public |
| 1:00pm, PROJECT Trio masterclass, mainstage |
| 1:40pm, Woodwinds, main stage/Brass & Perc, assigned rooms |
| 2:40pm, Brass & Percussion, main stage/Woodwinds, assigned rooms |
| 3:30pm, Snack break, Seymour Gallery |
| 4:00pm, Full band rehearsal, main stage |
| 5:45pm, Dinner, Seymour Gallery |
| 7:30pm, Concert - Crossroads Wind Symphony, KU Wind Ensemble & Prairie Winds Festival Band - Lied Center, tickets $25 |
| 9:00pm, est., Student pick-up, Lied Center |