Experience the National Band & Orchestra Fest, a premier celebration of musical brilliance, showcasing outstanding youth ensembles from across the nation. This ticketed daytime concert offers a unique opportunity to witness the next generation of musicians share their artistry and dedication live on stage. Don’t miss this inspiring event that highlights the talent, passion, and creativity of these exceptional young performers.
Greenwood High School Band
Greenwood is a small rural town in West Texas located just east of the Odessa/Midland area. Over the past 20 years, Greenwood High School has grown from a student population of 300 to a school of over 1,000 students. The Greenwood band has enjoyed a rich history of success during this period.
The marching band has received 24 first divisions and advanced to the Area marching contest numerous times. At the Area contest the band repeatedly advances to the final. In 2016, the marching band advanced to the UIL Texas State Marching Contest for the first time in school history. In 2023, the marching band was named Outstanding Band in Class A at the Bands of America Regional Championships held in Midland, Texas.
The concert band at Greenwood has advanced 22 concert band pieces to state in the Outstanding Performance Series sponsored by ATSSB. The Foundation for Music Education Series awarded the band as a National Winner once and a Commended Winner twice. Greenwood has been named a TMEA honor band finalist three times and performed at the UIL State Wind Ensemble six times. Since 2000, the band has received 23 three event UIL Sweepstakes awards, receiving a first division in marching, concert, and sight reading.
In addition to the group’s success, the band has placed 131 students in the ATSSB All State band and sends over fifty students to the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest each year.
Irving ISD Philharmonic Orchestra
The Irving ISD Philharmonic is a collaborative string orchestra uniting talented student musicians from Irving High School and Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas. Both the Nimitz and Irving High School Orchestra Programs regularly receive superior ratings at the University Interscholastic League evaluation concerts and sight reading in addition to events outside of their region like the Ann C. Roberts Orchestra Festival in Houston, Texas.
The ensemble was established to strengthen musical connection and community across the district’s high school programs, offering students the experience of rehearsing and performing in a musical setting beyond their individual campus ensembles. Members are selected through the Irving ISD All-City audition process and director recommendation, and they commit to an elevated rehearsal schedule designed to challenge and inspire.
Under the guidance of the Irving ISD high school orchestra directors, Jillian Attan, Robert Rudolph, and Dr. Charles Andersen, the Philharmonic focuses on developing ensemble cohesion, musical independence, and expressive performance skills. Students rehearse a diverse range of repertoire, from orchestral masterworks to contemporary selections, fostering both technical growth and artistic maturity. Through this ensemble, students not only refine their musicianship but also build meaningful relationships with peers across campuses, strengthening the broader orchestra community within the school district.
The Philharmonic stands as a testament to the dedication, talent, and teamwork of the district’s young musicians and continues to elevate orchestral opportunities for students throughout Irving ISD.
Cuthbertson Middle School Honor Band
Cuthbertson Middle School opened its doors in August 2009 and since then, the instrumental music program has challenged students to pursue a musical journey of excellence. Now in its 17th academic year, the instrumental music program continues to experience success, as middle school concert bands have consistently earned superior ratings at local, district and regional music festivals.
In 2012, 2017, and 2023 the Cuthbertson Middle School 8th grade band performed at the North Carolina Music Educator Association state convention. In 2014 the band commissioned “Brave Spirit” from composer Randall Standridge and in 2025 commissioned “Foothills March” from JaRod Hall. The 8th grade band travels annually to perform in Orlando and in 2015 and 2017 participated at the Festival Disney competition. In 2017 the Cuthbertson 8th grade band was a performing ensemble at UGA Midfest and in 2019 and 2022 the 8th grade band performed at the Music for All Southeastern Regional Festival. The Cuthbertson bands are also regular performing groups at the Carowinds Music Festival.
Students participate regularly in All County Band, District Honor Band, All State Honors Band, and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students can participate in the “Free Melodies” mentor program after school. The CMS Honor Band is made up of students in 7th and 8th grades and meets before and after school twice weekly.
The success of the Cuthbertson instrumental music program is credited to supportive school and district administration, excellent parent booster organization, associate director Samantha Liddle, and husband and wife teaching team Katie and Todd Ebert.
Denver School of the Arts
The Denver School of the Arts Wind Ensemble is DSA’s flagship concert ensemble, representing the DSA Bands Department at state, regional, national, and international festivals and venues. The ensemble refines advanced instrumental technique and artistry through rigorous repertoire spanning diverse styles and historical periods, preparing students for post-secondary musical study and professional-level performance opportunities.
The DSA Bands Department offers extensive performance experiences through Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Workshop Orchestra Combos & Big Band, Percussion Ensembles, Chamber Ensembles, and participation in the DSA Full Orchestra. Since its inception, the program has earned a reputation for excellence, with performances at The Midwest Clinic, the Yamaha Music for All National Concert Band Festival, the Essentially Ellington Festival, the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the Newman Center for the Performing Arts. DSA musicians regularly collaborate with university faculty and ensembles, and graduates are accepted into distinguished universities and conservatories nationwide. Many alumni also pursue careers beyond music while remaining active, lifelong musicians.
