Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

High School Honor Band
Festival & Concert

February 24-25, 2023

Nominate a Student 

Audition

The Honor Band Experience

The Music Department of Notre Dame College extends a special opportunity for advanced learning and performance opportunity for high school students – grades 9 through 12. Selected students attend a masterclass with college-level faculty and rehearse ensemble conducted by Professor Krueger and a special guest conductor..

The experience culminates in a joint concert with the Notre Dame Wind Symphony.

Notre Dame Honor Band Conductor

Michael Krueger

Michael Krueger (b. 1990) is an educator, composer, and conductor. Michael is the Co-Director of Performing Arts, Assistant Professor of Music, and Director of Instrumental Studies at Notre Dame College. At NDC, Michael directs and supervises all instrumental ensembles, teaches applied composition lessons, and teaches academic courses in music theory, music literature, and music composition. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Michael serves as an administrator for the department in his role as a co-department head.

Michael primarily composes for wind ensembles, chamber ensembles, and marching ensembles. Michael’s most popular piece, For Patrick, was included in Volume 11 of GIA Publication’s Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. For Patrick has been a featured composition on The Composers Circle and Musicuratum. Michael’s wind ensemble music has been featured at multiple honor band concerts and conferences, including the 2020 CVC Conference Band, 2018 NDC Honor Band Festival, 2018 Firelands Conference Band, 2018 and 2016 SIUE Bi-State Band Festivals, and the 2014 Southwest CBDNA Conference. In 2017, Alone, was premiered at the International Trombone Festival. Alone was also recorded and featured on Dr. Matthew Hoormann’s debut solo album, SOMNILOQUY, which can be found on Spotify. In 2016, a consortium of fifteen bands led by Mr. Greg Allen, formed to create Symphony 3: The Dreamer.

Michael is in demand as a guest clinician and adjudicator for wind ensembles and marching bands around the United States. In the summers, Michael can be found teaching marching band camps near and far. From 2016-2020, Michael was a member of the drum major and student leadership staff for Fred J. Miller Summer Clinics. In 2020, Michael was a founding member for the educational and marching band company, Music Effect Design. Michael has received athletic band commissions from dozens of high school and collegiate marching and pep bands. Michael is the Music Arranger for the Chattanooga Pageantry Arts Association.

Michael holds a Master of Music in Music Composition from Butler University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Michael’s primary mentors include Dr. Michael Schelle, Dr. Robert Grechesky, Dr. John Bell, Professor Michael Colburn, and Dr. Kimberly Archer. Michael holds professional membership in CBDNA, ASCAP, OMEA, and OPCICA. Michael is also an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Guest Conductor

Melissa Johnson

Melissa Johnson received her Master of Music Performance in Conducting from Butler University, where she studied with Col. Michael Colburn and served as the Graduate Assistant to the Athletic Bands program. In addition, she received her Bachelor of Music Education from Hope College. Following her undergraduate work, she taught PS-12th grade music at a variety of schools in Michigan and Indiana. Johnson guest conducted with the Hope College High School Honor Bands program and spent time working with the Fred J. Miller and Music Effect Design Summer Clinic programs, where she worked with student leaders at colleges and universities across the United States. Most recently, Johnson served as the Interim Director of Athletic Bands at Butler and is now fully stepping into the position of Director of Athletic Bands.

2023 Honor Band Festival & Concert

February 24-25, 2023

Nominations & Auditions

Please nominate your most deserving students for this honor. Additionally, once students are nominated and selected, it is expected that they will attend the festival. Please check your students’ availability prior to submitting their nomination. Auditions will be held on the day of the festival. Students will be asked to audition on their full range chromatic scale, two major scales (selected from C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db concert), a self-prepared 2–3-minute etude or solo, and sight-reading.

The deadline for student nominations is February 5th, 2023.

Nominate a Student 

2023 Festival Schedule

Day 1 – February 24

  • 3-5:30pm: Registration and Placement Auditions (Regina Auditorium)
  • 5:30-6:30pm: Dinner (provided)
  • 6:30pm-9pm: Opening rehearsal
    Day 2 – February 25

    • 10am-12pm: Rehearsal #2
    • 12pm-1pm: Lunch (provided)
    • 1pm-2pm: Masterclasses with NDC faculty
    • 1pm-2pm: Directors session with Michael Krueger
    • 2:15pm-4:15pm.: Rehearsal #3
    • 4:15pm: Dinner (on your own)
    • 6:45pm: Call time for high school students
    • 7:30pm: NDC Wind Symphony and NDC Honor Band Concert

    Questions about the High School Honor Band Festival?

    Please email Michael Krueger at mkrueger@ndc.edu for any questions, comments, or inquiries.

    Build Character and Career

    Your NDC education can waken and shape your passions, sharpen strengths and lead to a career path that is meaningful and rewarding. Discover your potential at NDC.

    Find us on Instagram

    Find us on Facebook