UWEC Music Educational Festivals
Experience a Day as a Blugold Music Student
UW-Eau Claire is host to a variety of music festivals for band, choir, and orchestra students. Each year we connect outstanding musicians of all ages across the region to experience immersive educational experiences with faculty and critically acclaimed guest artists. Review the information below about our annual festival style events and find out how you or your school ensemble can get involved!
2026-2027 Music Educational Festivals
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Voice and Choral Area is pleased to present the 34th Annual Clearwater Choral Festival at UW-Eau Claire on October 17, 2026! The festival will provide high-quality, positive experiences in vocalism and musicianship to gifted high school singers. The festival features performances by various UWEC choral ensembles and student soloists. The Clearwater Festival Honor Choir will be comprised of the top vocal musicians from high schools in the upper Midwest. The two-day festival will feature two performances:
- A Cappella Extravaganza
Friday, October 16th at 7:30pm - Schofield Auditorium
From pop to renaissance, this must-see performance by our university a cappella ensembles showcases the art of a cappella singing. Our university a cappella groups are student-led and consist of both music majors and non-majors. Fifth Element, Callisto, Impromptu, Audacious, and Innocent Men. - Festival Final Concert
Saturday, October 17th at 7:30pm - RCU Theatre, Pablo Center
The Festival Concert concludes the weekend of choral excellence. At this concert, the Festival Honor Choir of over 200 regional high school students will showcase the repertoire they worked hard to learn during the festival day. The concert will also feature performances by our university's choirs, the winners of the Outstanding Soloist Awards, and the Featured Festival Choir!
Tickets available online SOON at: pablocenter.org
Application Process
2026 APPLICATION AVAILABLE SOON
Directors may nominate up to ten balanced quartets (40 students total) of talented singers using the online application. Directors will be notified of selected students on a rolling admissions basis. Nominations are due Monday, September 28, 2026 (nominations will begin Monday, September 14). Directors will be notified of selected students starting Friday, October 2, 2026.
Note: We recognize that all schools may not be able to submit balanced quartets. Please do not leave out any students because of this. Please submit all names and a selection will be made.
Repertoire
The Clearwater Choral Festival takes pride in the quality of repertoire that is selected for the festival choir each year. For the 34th Annual Festival, the UWEC Choral Faculty has worked diligently to choose repertoire that upholds the standards of excellence we showcase in our festivals and ensembles.
REPERTOIRE TO BE ANNOUNCED
PRACTICE TRACKS AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
Packets are ordered through using the Application Form.
Packet price for individual member: TBA
The Musician's Choice, LLC
1520 North Church Road –Suite D
Liberty, MO 64068
816.781.9700
Fax: 816.781.3299
Toll Free: 888.571.6640
themusicianschoice@yahoo.com
Fees
The participation fee for each student is $32 (does not cover cost of music), and is due at or before on-site registration on October 17, 2026. Participating students will receive part tracks, a complimentary digital recording of the final concert, and a Clearwater Festival T-shirt. All meals will be on your own while attending the festival. Checks for the participation fee will be collected at registration and should be made payable to the UWEC Choral Area. No school purchase orders, please.
Note: Ensembles are responsible for purchasing their music packets via the invoice shipped with the music. This music will be sent to directors to print for each participating student following registration.
*Any students that drop after Friday, October 9th or do not attend the festival the day of will be charged only $15 per student to cover their festival t-shirt and other expenses.
Outstanding Vocalist Award
The UW-Eau Claire Department of Music offers $1,500.00 in Choral Scholarship(s) to qualifying high school senior members of the Clearwater Festival Honor Choir. Participants must prepare a memorized classical solo for the audition. The Voice/Choral Faculty will determine scholarship recipients & outstanding vocalist(s) will perform at the Festival Concert Saturday evening. Scholarship recipients are required to participate in a choral ensemble at UW-Eau Claire during the 2027-28 academic year in order to receive the scholarship.
Outstanding Vocalist Award Adjudicators:
Christine Amon, mezzo-soprano
Emily Sternfeld-Dunn, soprano
Mark Mowry, tenor
Kenneth Pereira, baritone
Please complete the Outstanding Vocalist Award Form and submit by Monday, October 5th, 2026.
Taking place at UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, this festival will provide singers with a high-quality, positive experience in vocalism, musicianship, and leadership. The Middle Level Honor Choirs will consist of two combined 7th and 8th grade choirs: SATB and SSA.
Application
2027 APPLICATION AVAILABLE SOON
Directors may nominate talented seventh and eighth grade singers using the online application – representation from each voice part (SATB) preferred. Nominations are due Wednesday, December 9, 2026. Directors will be notified of selected students December 11, 2026.
Festival Layout
- Registration begins at 8:15 am in the Haas Fine Arts Center lobby
- Rehearsal begins at 9:00 am
- Concert 6:00 pm - Gantner Concert Hall
- tickets available soon at: uwec.universitytickets.com
Repertoire
Practice Tracks available soon
SATB Choir:
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Treble Choir:
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Fees
The registration fee is $30.00 per student (no cost for directors) and is payable at registration. The registration fee does not cover the cost of music. Participating students will receive a commemorative Honor Choir T-shirt, part tracks, and a pizza dinner. Each school will receive an audio recording of the concert. Registration fee ($30 per student) will be collected at registration and should be made payable to the UW-Eau Claire Choral Area. No school purchase orders please.
Note: Participants are responsible for purchasing their music packets via the invoice shipped with the music through Musician’s Choice.
Music Packets are ordered through the Application Form.
Packet price for individual member: TBA
The Musician's Choice, LLC
1520 North Church Road –Suite D
Liberty, MO 64068
816.781.9700
Fax: 816.781.3299
Toll Free: 888.571.6640
themusicianschoice@yahoo.com
*Please contact us by January 8th, 2027 if a registered student cannot attend the festival in order to receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued after this date.
This all-day festival will offer students a space to learn and perform within a tenor-bass specific ensemble with singers from across the region. Students will sing repertoire fit for the tenor-bass voice in a supportive and fun atmosphere, and will have the opportunity to participate in side-by-side rehearsals and performance with UWEC's Singing Statesmen and our featured guest conductor (to be announced). Together, students will learn pieces that are immediately accessible and musically rewarding while experiencing what it is like to sing in a collegiate tenor-bass ensemble.
Application
2027 APPLICATION AVAILABLE SOON
Directors may nominate up to 32 talented singers using the online application. Directors will be notified of selected students prior to the festival. Applications are due Friday, January 15, 2027. Directors will be notified of selected students January 20, 2027.
Festival Layout
Each school will bring tenors/basses from their high school ensembles. Students will spend the day rehearsing excellent repertoire, alone and with the Singing Statesmen. The day will consist of break-out sectionals and team-building activities and end with a 4pm final concert.
Concert tickets available soon at: uwec.universitytickets.com
Repertoire
Practice Tracks available soon
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Fees
The registration fee is $30 per student and is payable at registration February 11, 2027. The registration fee covers the Festival T-shirt, part tracks, concert recording, and morning snacks. Lunch and dinner is on your own in Eau Claire (or bring a bagged lunch to eat on campus). Registration fee will be collected at registration and should be made payable to the UW-Eau Claire Choral Area. No school purchase orders please.
Note: Participants are responsible for purchasing their music packets via the invoice shipped with the music through Musician’s Choice.
Packets are ordered through using the Application Form.
Packet price for individual member: TBA
The Musician's Choice, LLC
1520 North Church Road –Suite D
Liberty, MO 64068
816.781.9700
Fax: 816.781.3299
Toll Free: 888.571.6640
themusicianschoice@yahoo.com
**Please contact us by February 6th, 2027 if a registered student cannot attend the festival in order to receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued after this date.
Taking place at the UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, this one-day festival brings together talented high school treble singers from across the region! The UW-Eau Claire Treble Choir Festival provides a platform for choral singers to showcase their skills and learn from experienced conductors in a safe and affirming environment. With a focus on promoting life-long singing, and the celebration of music written specifically for treble singers, the UW-Eau Claire Treble Choir Festival is a must-attend event for singers passionate about choral music.
Each school will bring treble vocalists from their high school ensembles. Students will spend the day rehearsing excellent repertoire, alone and with Women’s Concert Chorale. The day will consist of break-out sectionals and team-building activities and end with a final concert.
Application
2027 APPLICATION AVAILABLE SOON
Applications are due Wednesday, January 27, 2027. Directors will be notified of selected students January 29, 2027. Directors may nominate talented treble singers using the online application.
Festival Layout
- 8:00am Student Registration – Haas Fine Arts Center (lobby)
- 9:00am Rehearsal & Sectionals
- 12:30pm LUNCH (on your own)
- 3:15pm PERFORMANCE EXCHANGE – Gantner Concert Hall
- tickets available soon at: uwec.universitytickets.com
Repertoire
Practice Tracks available soon
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Fees
The registration fee is $30 per student and is payable at registration March 2, 2027. The registration fee covers the Festival T-shirt, part tracks, concert recording, and morning snacks. Lunch and dinner is on your own in Eau Claire (or bring a bagged lunch to eat on campus). Registration fee will be collected at registration and checks should be made payable to the UW-Eau Claire Choral Area. No school purchase orders please.
Note: Participants are responsible for purchasing their music packets via the invoice shipped with the music through Musician’s Choice.
Packets are ordered through using the Application Form.
Packet price for individual member: TBA
The Musician's Choice, LLC
1520 North Church Road –Suite D
Liberty, MO 64068
816.781.9700
Fax: 816.781.3299
Toll Free: 888.571.6640
themusicianschoice@yahoo.com
**Please contact us by February 26th, 2027 if a registered student cannot attend the festival in order to receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued after this date.
Join oboist Dr. Christa Garvey and bassoonist Dr. Alex Widstrand for a thrilling afternoon celebrating double reed instruments! ALL ages and players of all levels are welcome. Collaborate alongside UWEC faculty and students, attend reed workshops and masterclasses, get inspired by exciting performances, and participate in a final large double reed ensemble.
Fee: TBA, covers all materials and snacks. Payable by cash or check to UWEC at time of event.
2027 registration form available soon (Priority registration by Oct. 14th, 2026)
Schedule coming soon!
Final concert: Reading session begins 4pm at Haas Fine Arts Center, with all participants encouraged to perform in Halloween Costumes. Free to attend and open to the public!
CONTACT:
Dr. Christa Garvey
Professor of Music - oboe
garveycn@uwec.edu
The annual High School Honor Band features performances by over 400 talented high school musicians from more than 90 schools across the upper Midwest. Student participants are selected, through director nomination, and spend the day rehearsing and learning from UWEC Music Faculty, guest conductors, and students. The finale concert features four concert bands conducted by Dr. John R. Stewart, Dr. Phillip Ostrander, Dr. Kara Metzger, and a TBA guest conductor.
LOCATION: The Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701)
TIME: Registration begins at 7:30am in the lobby of the Pablo Center.
Final Concert - 7:00pm, RCU Theatre, Pablo Center
Tickets can be purchased online soon at pablocenter.org
(Event Cost $5-$12)
BANDS: The 2026 UW Eau Claire Honor Band will consist of four high school concert bands. We will have two 9th-10th grade concert bands and two 11th-12th grade bands.
APPLICATION:
2026 High School Honor Band Application Coming Soon!
Directors will nominate students using the online application. Applications are due Thursday, October 1, 2026. Directors will be notified of selected students by Friday, October 16, 2026. We encourage directors to nominate students in grades 9 through 12.
GUEST ARTISTS/CONDUCTORS: Each year Honor Band participants have the opportunity to collaborate with UW Eau Claire studio faculty member in masterclasses and collaborate with MUED Majors in sectionals. Dr. John R. Stewart, Dr. Phillip Ostrander, and Dr. Kara Metzger will serve as guest conductors for the 2026 High School Honor Bands.
FEES: The participation fee is $40 per student (no cost for directors) and is payable at registration on November 8th. Participating students will receive a catered lunch, an audio recording of the Honor Band Concert and a UW Eau Claire Honor Band t-shirt. No school purchase orders please.
Final Concert - 7:00pm, RCU Theatre, Pablo Center
Tickets can be purchased online soon at pablocenter.org
(Event Cost $5-$12)
QUESTIONS: Contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands (stewajo@uwec.edu) or our Band Student Assistant (bands@uwec.edu)
The annual Middle School Honor Band features performances by 300+ talented 7th and 8th grade musicians from over 50+ schools across the upper Midwest. Student participants are selected, through director nomination, and spend the day rehearsing and learning from UWEC Music Faculty, guest conductors, and students.
Location: Gantner Concert Hall - Haas Fine Arts Center (121 Water Street, Eau Claire, WI 54702)
Schedule:
- Registration begins 8:00am - Haas Fine Arts Center Lobby
- 9am - 10:50am - Rehearsals
- 11-11:30am - Masterclasses
- 11:30-12:30 - Lunch on your Own
- 12:30 - 4:30pm - Rehearsals and Sectionals
- 4:30-5:45pm - Dinner Provided
- FINAL CONCERTS ($9.00 general admission)
- 6pm Concert - Blugold Band
- 6:30pm Concert - Blue Band
- 7pm Concert - White Band
- 7:30pm Concert - Gold Band
Concert tickets available soon at uwec.universitytickets.com
Bands: The 2027 UWEC Middle School Honor Band will consist of four combined 7th and 8th Grade Concert Bands.
Application:
2027 UWEC Middle School Honor Band Application Coming Soon!
Directors will nominate talented 7th and 8th Grade Band students using the online application. Applications are due on Wednesday, November 25, 2026. Directors will be notified of selected students starting on Friday, December 11, 2026.
Guest Artists/Clinicians: Dr. John R. Stewart, Dr. Kara Metzger, and Dr. Phil Ostrander will serve as the guest conductors for the 2027 Middle School Honor Bands.
Fees: The participation fee is $40 per student (no cost for directors) and is payable upon registration on January 22, 2027. Participating students will receive an audio recording of the Honor Band Concert, an Honor Band t-shirt, and pizza dinner will be provided. Checks can be paid to UWEC Bands. No school purchase orders please.
Questions: Contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands (stewajo@uwec.edu)
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON
CONTACT:
Dr. Christa Garvey
Professor of Music - oboe
garveycn@uwec.edu
Location: The Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701)
About: The UW – Eau Claire Concert Band Festival is a non-competitive event where bands perform on the RCU Theatre stage, receive written and verbal feedback from UW – Eau Claire Band Faculty, guest artists, and a 30-minute clinic. Participating bands are encouraged to be in the audience for two performances throughout the day. The day will conclude with the UWEC Concert Band Showcase Concert. This clinic festival may be used to fulfill the WSMA Large Group Festival requirement.
UW – Eau Claire will provide the following equipment on the RCU Stage for your performance (Please bring your own mallets)
- Musician Chairs and Stands
- Conductor Podium and Stand
- 4 timpani (5th is available if requested)
- Bass Drum
- Tam-Tam
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
- Chimes
- Glockenspiel
- Marimba
- Crotales
- Piano (if requested)
Groups will Receive:
- Written and recorded feedback
- One-on-one clinic
- Professional audio and video recording of performance
Registration: Registration is $300 per band. Registration will begin on May 2026, click here to register. Space is limited, so register early. Checks payable to UWEC Bands. To secure your registration, payment must be received by March 6, 2027.
Deadlines: Program info and Seating Diagrams are due by March 1st, 2027
Predicted Participant Schedule:
- 9am – Warmup
- 9:30am – Performance on RCU Stage
- 10am – Clinic in JAMF Theatre
- 10:30am – Pack up instruments.
- 11am – Watch fellow participant performance.
- 12pm – Lunch on our own
- 7:30pm – UW-Eau Claire Concert Band Showcase Concert
- RCU Theatre, Pablo Center (featuring performances by the University Band, Symphony Band, and Wind Symphony)
- Concert tickets available soon at pablocenter.org ($5-$12)
Questions: Contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands (stewajo@uwec.edu) or 715-836-4417
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS! Since 1967, the Eau Claire Jazz Festival has maintained a standard of excellence in jazz education and performance. This educational and cultural jazz festival has earned its distinction as one of the oldest and largest events by providing local, national and international artists the opportunity to showcase their creative work and by highlighting the enduring elements and important directions in this distinctly American music. Furthermore, the Eau Claire Jazz Festival is the largest student run festival in the United States. With a board made of community members to oversee, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire students perform all duties needed in order to support the festival making it one of a kind.
eAU cLAIRE JAZZ FESTIVAL WEBSITE
FESTIVAL EVENTS
Jazz Crawl | Friday April 16th | Barstow Street Eau Claire, WI
Jazz Crawl is the transformation of downtown Eau Claire into a New York jazz scene. Here, you can explore over 40 exceptional music groups at 17 different venues (all-ages and 21+). This year, our groups will be featuring a variety of music styles including ragtime, blues, acoustic, and big band. Join over 3,000 people and enjoy this once a year celebration!
Explore over 25 indoor/outdoor venues for just a $20 wristband. ($25 week of) Children 10 and under are FREE. Proceeds support our Eau Claire Jazz Festival educational programs.
Concert Series | April 16th-17th | Pablo Center
Join us for an incomparable weekend of jazz! On the evenings of April 16th and 17th, GRAMMY-nominated UW-Eau Claire Jazz I will perform with two internationally-acclaimed guest artists.
Master Classes & Student Sessions | April 16th-17th | UWEC Campus
Once a year, we are humbled by the time and energy our iconic jazz artists offer visiting students through the Eau Claire Jazz Master Classes. Both students and educators find exceptional value in the insight our world-class jazz masters share through their presentations, performance, and Q&A session. Be ready with questions or just be ready to be blown away. Our Master Classes do not disappoint!
Jazz students have been learning and growing at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival for decades. This year is even more dynamic than ever before. We've paired an impressive roster of adjudicators along with some of the most inspiring jazz icons to create an exceptional experience for your schools.
Hosted by Eau Claire Jazz Inc.
The mission of Eau Claire Jazz Inc. is to inspire, educate and entertain. We create a vibrant, growing community which celebrates high-quality Jazz music through engaging performances and investments in Jazz education to build the future of this unique, original American art form. In the tradition of luminaries who made northwestern Wisconsin an inspirational center for Jazz education for decades, ECJI's vision is to extend the reach of its word-class Jazz experiences to new local, regional, and national audiences. Through deeper partnerships with UW-Eau Claire, our community and music educators at all levels, ECJI will maintain and enhance the quality of our annual events, invest in the success of UW-Eau Claire's Jazz Studies program and establish new performance and educational opportunities to carry the torch of Jazz to the next generation of performers, musicians, and audiences.
Join us April 2027 for our Alumni Band weekend as we celebrate the University Bands! The weekend will feature performances by the musicians of the Symphony Band and Wind Symphony including concerto competition winners, student conductors, along with rehearsals and performance of the UWEC Alumni Band. There will be time to connect with friends, colleagues, and UWEC faculty (past and present). Dr. Ostrander and Dr. Stewart will lead rehearsals of the Alumni Band on Saturday and Sunday to prepare for the Sunday afternoon concert.
Registration opens in September 2026!
Questions? Contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands (stewajo@uwec.edu) or 715-836-4417
Join talented high school string musicians from across the region for the 2026 UW-Eau Claire Honors Orchestra Festival! Led by the new UWEC Symphony Orchestra Director, Fátima Corona, this exciting day of music-making offers students the opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside other outstanding young musicians.
Throughout the day, participants will work closely with UW-Eau Claire faculty in specialized master classes and refine their skills in sectionals led by UW-Eau Claire Music Education majors. The festival culminates in a free public concert in Gantner Concert Hall, showcasing the Honors Orchestra's work and celebrating a day of artistic growth and collaboration.
Applications are due Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026. Directors will be notified of selected students starting Monday, September 7th, 2026. We encourage directors to nominate deserving student musicians in grades 9 through 12.
2026 Application form available by contacting:
Nicole Knickel (KNICKENL2267@uwec.edu)
String Area Assistant
Fees: Registration fees ($32/student) will be collected at registration and should be made payable to the UW-Eau Claire Music and Theatre Arts Department. No school purchase orders please.
Discover what a day as a member of the Blugold string community is like at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire String Festival!
Open to high school violin, viola, cello, bass, and guitar students, this immersive day gives participants the opportunity to experience life as a music student while developing their artistry and making new connections with fellow musicians from across the region.
Led by UW-Eau Claire string faculty, students will participate in engaging rehearsals, master classes, sectionals, and workshops designed to challenge and inspire. Along the way, connect with current Blugold string players and learn more about the performance and educational opportunities available through the UW-Eau Claire String Area.
Whether you're considering a future in music or simply looking to grow as a performer, the UW-Eau Claire string faculty are excited to welcome participants to Haas Fine Arts Center for a day growing and collaborating together at the 2026 String Festival!
Festival Registration Available Soon
more information soon!