Join us at GVSU for what will be an outstanding day of music making, including master classes with advanced undergradautes, performances by GVSU students, and a concluding concert.

Fee

$25, which helps to offset the costs of meals, music, recordings, group photo and T-shirt. The remaining costs are provided by the GVSU Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Housing

Housing: As a result of participant input and University insurance and liability guidelines, we will not be offering supervised housing.

Nominations

All nominations will be online. The junior high band is open to all junior high school musicians from grades 7 and 8. The nomination is combined with the director’s recommendation in a single submission.

Director Nomination Form

Kevin Tutt

Kevin Tutt is the Chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. He is also the conductor of the GVSU Wind Symphony and has taught in conducting, music education, and general education. 

Prior to his appointment at GVSU, Dr. Tutt held teaching positions at Brandon University, in Brandon, MB, The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA, Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA and the Central Dauphin School District in Harrisburg, PA. He has been a guest conductor, clinician and consultant for all levels of ensembles and public school programs in the United States and Canada.

Dr. Tutt holds degrees in conducting and music education from The Pennsylvania State University. His recent professional interests include: teacher evaluation policies in the arts, the impact of arts advocacy, and the evaluation of Teacher Preparation Institutions. His publications have appeared in the Music Educators Journal, Journal of Band Research, Arts Education Policy Review, Research Perspectives in Music Education, Visions of Research in Music Education and Michigan Music Educator and he has been an invited presenter at regional and national music conferences. 

Step 1: Director Nominations (October 2026-February 1 2027)

Students must be nominated by their band directors to participate. Directors must nominate their students using the online form linked below by February 1 2027.

Directors

• Before you nominate, please check with each of your nominees to make certain that the nominees can and will attend this event if selected.  
• We will notify directors of student acceptance by March 1
• Please make sure that each accepted student practices their assigned parts before the workshop.  Students who do not know their part may feel out of place.

Junior High Honors Band - Director Nomination Form

Step 2: Student Acceptance/Registration (April 1)

1. Students selected will be sent an email on or before April 1 with a link to accept their nomination and to complete their registration.
2. Cost: $25. Includes lunch, dinner, and T-shirt and is paid online as part of the registration form. We can not accept cash as payment or paper forms.
3. All participants are required to upload a completed Minors on Campus Release Form and COVID-19 Waiver as part of their registration.

Junior High Honor Band Day Schedule

9:00    Check-in Lobby of Performing Arts Center
. Parents are always welcome but do not need to stay.

9:30    Rehearsal - breaks during rehearsal


12:00  Lunch (included in registration fee) - sub sandwiches

12:45  Instrumental Masterclasses with GVSU Applied Instructors

2:00    Rehearsal- breaks during rehearsal


4:15    Performance by GVSU students

5:00    Dinner (included in registration fee) - pizza

5:30    Dress for performance - Students should wear their regular school concert attire.

6:15    Concert - Free and open to the public. Parking is on the weekend.