Central Washington University | CWU Wind Festival

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CWU Wind Festival

CWU Wind Festival

About WindFest

Friday, March 14 - Saturday , March 15, 2025

“WindFest” concert band invitational was first established in 1940. Over the past 83 years, the event has been recognized as one of the premiere concert band festivals in the Pacific Northwest. This two-day event features middle and high school concert bands from throughout the state of Washington and the region. The non-competitive atmosphere of WindFest provides an opportunity for creativity and musicianship while embracing and celebrating band programs of diverse backgrounds.

Internationally and nationally renowned conductors, artist, and teachers serve as adjudicators, providing constructive feedback and positive encouragement for musical growth. In addition, each ensemble participates in a live clinic with an adjudicator, offering real-time instruction. Participating bands receive audio commentary from our guest panel and a professional recording of the on-stage performance.

During WindFest bands will have the opportunity to interact with music faculty and students of the department of music, attend performances by the Wind Ensemble, the preeminent wind band at CWU, and perform on stage in Hertz Concert Hall, a premiere 600-seat performance space known throughout the region for its visual and acoustical qualities.

Application/Deadlines

Ensembles must apply for an invitation using the online application form. Selection of bands will be based on many factors to include but not limited to time of registration, school size, region/location, space in festival, and previous invitations. With a goal of equity in mind, we encourage all school programs to consider the educational and musical benefits that Windfest has to offer.

September 1, 2024 – Application Opens for WindFest 2025
November 1, 2024 – Notification of Selection (via email)
December 1, 2024 – Festival Fee Deadline

Repertoire

There is no required repertoire for Windfest. Directors are encouraged to program works appropriate to their specific ensemble. Each band will be allotted 20 minutes of on-stage performance. The number of works on the program is at the discretion of the conductor. However, programming must remain within the time limit. No exceptions. Our festival supports a culture of promoting diversity in programmed repertoire and hopes that the event will be a celebration of works from the standard wind band repertoire through contemporary works for band from composers of underrepresented backgrounds.

Invitation of Ensembles

The selection of participants for WindFest is based on the following criteria: date of submitted electronic application and previous festival participation. Supporting the mission of the university, WindFest aims to nurturing culturally sustaining practices that expand access and success to all students. As a result, we have implemented strategies designed to serve the community including but not limited to reserving participation slots for those who are placed on a waiting list during previous festivals (or cancelled due to weather) as well as for programs from underrepresented communities in Washington.

Festival Fee 2025

$400.00 (subject to change)

The WindFest Experience

Each performing ensemble will receive audio feedback of your performance from three adjudicators (two who will focus on the band and one who will focus exclusively on the percussion section) a 20-minute clinic from a nationally recognized music educator immediately following the stage performance, and a clean (no comments) professional audio recording of your performance. In addition, the conductor of each ensemble receives a video recording featuring a frontal view of the conductor with recorded comments from one of the adjudicators.

WindFest will also include at 45-minute masterclass (specific to instrument) with CWU applied music faculty/staff and student performances throughout the day. WindFest is designed for groups to participate for a full day with activities ending around 6:30pm.