UM High School All-Star Bands
November 10-12, 2023
A selective experience for high school students from across the Northwest US and Canada.
Julie Giroux Guest Composer & Guest Conductor
Over 100 film, television and video game credits
Collaborated with celebrities including Samuel Goldwyn, Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Celene Dion, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, Paul Newman, Harry Connick Jr. and many others
Three-time Emmy winner for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Directing.
Written dozens of pieces for every level band.
Conductors and Soloist
"This was the most amazing experience! Everyone was just as passionate about band as I am!!" - Former All-Star participant
"This was an incredible opportunity for my students to experience music at a high level and play alongside excellent musicians from schools throughout the Northwest.” - Director
"Wonderful event. Great venue on a walkable, clean campus. I would definitely like to have my daughter return next year.” - Parent
Schedule
Begins - Friday, Nov. 10, 12:30pm-1:45pm MST: Check-in opens (UM School of Music Lobby)
Ends - Sunday, Nov. 12, 2:00pm MST (Final Concert @12:00 pm MST)
Concerts
BOTH CONCERTS ARE FREE. NO TICKETS
Saturday, Nov. 11, 7:30 PM, Dennison Theatre - UM Ensembles Host Concert
UM Islanders Steel Drum Band, UM Commercial Music Ensemble, UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Sunday, Nov. 12, 12:00 PM, Dennison Theatre - High School All-Star Concert
Seniors Steel Drum Band, Copper Band, Silver Band, Maroon Band.
Sheet Music Downloads
Sorted by last name.
Practice Videos & Audio
Lodging & Meals
Lodging - Reserved and paid for by parents or schools. Discounted rates below.
Comfort Inn University - Co-Festival Hotel
Located just east of downtown and across the river from the UM campus. Rooms have two queen beds per room or a king bed with pullout sofa with a maximum occupancy of four. All rooms include breakfast. Reserve a room in the DISCOUNT BLOCK.
The Wren - Co-Festival Hotel
Located downtown and across the river from the UM campus. Rooms have two queen beds per room or a king bed with a maximum occupancy of 2-4. Does not include breakfast. Reserve a room in the DISCOUNT BLOCK.
Located in the commercial district of North Reserve street. There is a block of 8 double queens and 4 single kings for the festival. All rooms include breakfast. $129.99 per night. Call 406-549-1800 to reserve under the block name "UM All-Star Festival"
Other Options: You are welcome to reserve rooms in hotels. Another option would be VRBO or AirBnB properties. We recommend that you do this at your soonest convenience (after the Oct. 2 notification) because it is a home game weekend and demand is high.
Combining with other schools - If you want to combine with people from other schools into fewer rooms to help defray costs we will distribute a list of directors with emails and a Facebook Group
Meals
Lunches and dinners are provided by UM are included in the participant registration price. Breakfasts are not provided by the festival. We will have snacks/light fare on Sunday morning just before the concert. There are vegetarian, gluten-free and diary-free options.
Supervision & Communication
Supervision
- On-campus: (8:30 am until 9:30 pm) students are kept to a tight schedule. 100+ UM music students and faculty are leading participants in rehearsals, classes, travel to and from the stadium (in years with a game), and travel to and from the cafeteria throughout the weekend. Many directors and parents also choose to help supervise.
- Off-campus: For the time All-Star participants are away from campus for lodging, they must arrange for adult supervision either by their parent, their band director or another participant's parent or band director. The adult is also responsible for dropping off and picking up students under their supervision. If you are unable to find supervision, please contact James Smart.
Communication
- Student and parent phone numbers are used to facilitate fast and easy communication.
- For current group information we also use the app REMIND. You do not need the app to join. Click umallstar1 OR umallstar2
Parking
Years WITHOUT a home football game. NO HOME GAME IN 2023
Friday, Saturday, Sunday - FREE PARKING anywhere.
Years WITH a home football game.
Friday and Sunday
FREE, NO PERMITS, NO FOOTBALL GAME, NO PROBLEM!
Saturday
EARLY ARRIVALS - Anyone arriving before 10:00 AM (all participants) and who plans to stay put until after the game should use street parking near the School of Music and just off campus. Street parking: ignore reserved, hourly pay, quick stop, and permit warnings on gamedays. Football patrons have most lots reserved.
LATE ARRIVALS & COME & GO PARKING – Lot K-1 is reserved for ALL-STAR directors and parents arriving after 10:00 AM and require a voucher. Pick up your voucher at registration or download it. Please show your permit to the attendant if there is one present and then place on your dashboard or hang from your mirror.
What to Wear and Bring
- Rehearsals – casual
- Sunday Concert – Same concert dress as your home high school or concert black.
- Mutes as called for in the music. Reeds, oils, greases, etc.
- A great attitude and a willingness to meet others.
- Game Years: NO GAME IN 2023 - Layered clothing. Check the forecast. We will be outside around an hour. Maroon, black, or grey if you have them but not necessary.
University of Montana Scholarship Auditions
- UM School of Music scholarship auditions are available to seniors during the event.
- Music scholarships cover from 10%-80% of tuition, can be bundled with most academic/leadership scholarships, and can be awarded to both in-state and out-of-state students.
- Auditions are ten minutes in length.
- Scholarship audition requirements are listed on the School of Music website at the following link: Audition Information
- Call or email Ariah Mann at 406-243-6881 for scheduling.
Percussion Ensemble
At designated times in the band rehearsals, all percussionists will be excused to rehearse a Percussion Ensemble with Professor of Percussion, Dr. LedBetter. The ensemble will perform on Sunday's final concert.
NOMINATION PROCESS
Director Nominations (preferred)
Thank you for taking some of your time to help organize your students' participation. A little bit of oversight really helps the success of the event and the student experience.
Student Self-Nominations
It is preferred that nominations go through your high school director. However, in certain cases, we understand that is not possible and welcome your self-nomination.
Deadline
Nominations must be received by Friday, September 29.
Notification
Directors and students will be notified of the results via email on Monday, October 2.
3rd Quarter with the Grizzly Marching Band
In years with a home football game, in addition to the wind band experience, All-Stars will also play in the stands with the Grizzly Marching Band in Washington Grizzly Stadium (25,000 cap.) NO GAME IN 2023.
STADIUM MUSIC & INSTRUMENTS - NO GAME IN 2023
FIRST: Print stadium tunes & fight song
SECOND: Mount on 7”w x 5.5”h cereal box cardboard OR put in a marching music flip folder if you have one. Bring your music lyre if you have one (woodwinds) or just hold your music (brass). There is no room for music stands.
THIRD: Instruments-We have to squeeze lots of All-Star students into a small area with the GMB. If you play a different instrument for outdoor bands, it is your responsibility to bring that instrument with some exceptions. Marching Percussion: Do not bring instruments. You will trade off with GMB members on their instruments. Tuba/Sousaphones: Big Sky HS and Sentinel HS students bring their own sousaphones. All others schools will be issued a UM sousaphone. Woodwinds: No oboes, bassoons or wooden clarinets outside. We want to protect your instruments. French Horns: We have 7-8 Bb marching horns that can be issued. Otherwise, you can bring a marching instrument or play on your concert instrument.
Discounted game tickets for parents and directors.
Act fast. While the students need to return to rehearsal after playing the third quarter with the Grizzly Marching Band, parents and directors are welcome to attend the entire game by purchasing discounted game tickets (normally $78) right beside the band. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS by Sunday, Nov. 6 before they release the block back to the general public.