Band Festival is like Solo & Ensemble for full band.  The band will have the opportunity to play for a clinician and receive comments /critique.  The clinician will work with us for about 20 minutes. Our band will also listen to other Middle School Bands and complete a critique of their performance.  At some Band Festivals, all of the bands combine into a huge Mass Band and rehearse/perform two pieces.  This is a wonderful opportunity to for our students!

At the Middle School, Band Festivals generally take place during the school day. Because of the size of our bands, we usually participate in separate days for 7th grade Band and 8th grade Band. We usually need 4 parent Chaperones for each Festival Day.  Students dress up for this event, (standard concert dress : no jeans, t-shirts or sweatshirts, please).

In 2004, the Waunakee MS Bands went to DeForest High School to participate in Band Festival. The WCMS 8th Grade Band played for the DeForest 8th Grade Band, worked with our Clinician, Dr. Gerry Olsen (retired, UW-Madison), and was critiqued by the DMS students. We then traded places and listened to the DeForest Band. In the afternoon, the WCMS 7th Grade Band performed and repeated the process with the DeForest 7th Grade Band. This Festival was a special event for us in that we were able to perform in a beautiful Auditorium! The sound was awesome!

In 2009 the WCMS 8th Grade Band participated in the Kalahari 8th Grade Band Festival in Wisconsin Dells.  The 8th Grade Band in 1010 will also have this opportunity. This Festival is specifically designed for 8th grade bands. It will feature 18 bands over 2 days!  Each band will:  perform for a judge, receive a 30 minute clinic, listen & evaluate other bands, have social time with students from other bands, AND, enjoy time in the Kalahari Waterpark!