SUU’s 13th Honor Festival Hosts 200 Elite Students from 32 High Schools Across the West
Published: January 07, 2026 | Author: SUU | Read Time: 2 minutes
On January 9 and 10, 2026, Southern Utah University will transform into a hub of musical excellence as it hosts the 13th Annual SUU High School Honor Band Festival. This year’s event will bring nearly 200 of the finest young musicians from 32 high schools across Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho to the SUU campus for a two-day intensive musical experience.
The festival offers a unique platform for talented students to move beyond their local programs and perform advanced concert band literature alongside their most gifted peers from across the Western United States.
Under the direction of SUU Director of Bands Dr. Adam Lambert and Director of Athletic Bands David Torres, students will be placed into one of two elite ensembles: the Honor Band or the Festival Band. The experience culminates in a public grand finale concert at the historic Heritage Center Theater in downtown Cedar City.
"We invite all high school students and directors to join this great tradition," says Dr. Adam Lambert. "There is something powerful about watching remarkable young people from across state lines leave their local circles to come together and create truly remarkable music."
Selection for the festival is highly competitive. This year, the applicant pool has surged to over 300 students. To earn a seat, musicians were required to submit a video audition via YouTube, where they were judged on technical accuracy, tone production, and musical expression.
The audition material itself is a hallmark of the SUU program—a custom excerpt composed by Dr. Keith Bradshaw, SUU’s associate dean and resident composer. Designed to be challenging but short, the piece allowed faculty to quickly assess a student's technical and artistic maturity.
The festival is a massive collaborative effort within the SUU Music Department. Beyond the baton, the event is powered by SUU faculty and students who serve as section tutors, logistical coordinators, and stage crew. This provides high schoolers with a direct window into the collegiate music experience.
The SUU Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). As part of the College of Performing & Visual Arts, it serves as a catalyst for students to realize their creative potential by providing a personalized and rigorous learning environment, fostering experiential education, and contributing to the cultural enrichment of a global society.Tags: Music Prospective Students Community College of Performing and Visual Arts
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu