The Rowan University WindFest Honor Band is an intensive event for select high school musicians from throughout NJ, PA, DE & NY. Participants will enjoy challenging repertoire and exciting rehearsals, working alongside Rowan's world-class faculty and exceptional university students in performance and masterclass settings. The event concludes with a concert in Pfleeger Concert Hall featuring both the WindFest Honor Bands and the Rowan University Wind Ensemble.

This year, we are thrilled to be joined by renowned composer-in-residence Michele Fernández!

Participant Fee: The cost for WindFest 2026 is $40 per student, which includes a t-shirt and two meals. Payment in cash or check (made out to "Rowan University") should be mailed upon acceptance or simply brought to campus on December 2nd. Directors may ask their students to pay individually on-site, or directors may choose to pay with cash/check for all their students at once.

Mailing address: Rowan University Department of Music (attn: Joe Higgins), 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028.

9:00am     Registration Begins
9:30am     Ensemble Rehearsal
11:15am   Sectionals with Rowan Faculty
12:45pm   Lunch
2:00pm     Observe Rowan Wind Ensemble Rehearsal + Composer Q&A with Michele Fernández 
3:30pm     Final Rehearsal & Run-Through
5:00pm     Open Rehearsal with Rowan Concert Band
6:00pm     Dinner & Concert Attire
7:30pm     CONCERT in Pfleeger Concert Hall

Rowan University Wind Ensemble’s Concert Program includes:

• Michele Fernández – "Yearning to Breathe Free"
• Addison Hill – "i just want to be held"
• David Maslanka – Symphony No. 4

HOW TO REGISTER: High school band directors are invited to nominate their students for the 2026 WindFest Honor Band event. Nominations are due by Wednesday, November 4th; WindFest acceptance letters will be shared with directors and students by Monday, November 9th. Parts (digital folders) will be sent via email to all selected students before the event. Directors may nominate as many as 12 students per school. While we will do our best to accommodate all students who you think are deserving, we can guarantee that the first 5 students on your list will be accepted.

NEW IN 2026: We will host TWO honor ensembles this year to accommodate even more outstanding nominees! As you complete the form below, please list students in the order you believe they should be accepted. The form requires directors to input each student’s name, email address, grade level, tshirt size, and instrument.

Please do not hesitate to reach out anytime with questions to Dr. Joseph Higgins, Director of Bands (higgins@rowan.edu). We look forward to seeing you soon.