Kent State All-Star Band
An annual high school honor band opportunity hosted by the Kent State Band program
January 9-10, 2026
Email AllStarBand@Kent.edu with any questions.
Nomination Timeline and Process
Nominations are now closed!
Due to a record number of nominations there has been a delay. All accepted students and their band directors will be notified by December 1.
The deadline for student's to confirm their participation is December 19.
Registration Form
Fees
$75 per participant
After you have filled out and submitted information for All Star Band through the registration page, you must then pay your registration fee. In order to pay your registration fee, click on the "Pay Registration Fee" button below. From there, locate All Star Band Festival and click on "view category." Proceed to fill in all the required fields, then checkout or click "Add to cart."
All-Star Band 2026 Schedule
Note: CPA is the Center for the Performing Arts building located at 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, Ohio
Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Check-in:
Blue Band: CPA Erdmann-Zucchero Black Box Theatre
Gold Band: CPA Percussion Studio
1910 Band: Cartwright Hall Auditorium
10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Rehearsal 1
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Director鈥檚 Session: Composer Chat with Nicole Piunno (CPA Ludwig Green Room)
12 p.m. Lunch* (provided for students at Dining Hall)
*Lunch for Directors provided by Premier Tour and Travel
1:30- 2 p.m. Full Welcome/Presentation: Ludwig Recital Hall/Cartwright
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Rehearsal 2
4:30 p.m. Dinner (Dining Halls)
6 - 8 p.m. Rehearsal 3
8 p.m. Check-out
Blue Band: CPA Erdmann-Zucchero Black Box Theatre
Gold Band: CPA Percussion Studio
1910 Band: Cartwright Hall Auditorium
Sat., Jan. 10, 2026
8:30 a.m. Check-in
Blue Band: CPA Erdmann-Zucchero Black Box Theatre
Gold Band: CPA Percussion Studio
1910 Band: Cartwright Hall
9 - 10:30 a.m. Rehearsal 4
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Faculty Recital in Ludwig Recital Hall, CPA
12 p.m. Lunch (Pizza) CPA Lobby
1 - 2 p.m Masterclasses (CPA & Cartwright Hall)
Flutes: Cartwright Hall Lobby
Oboes: Cartwright Hall Conference Room
Clarinets: E304
Saxophones: E112
Bassoons: E103
Trumpets: Ludwig
Horns: Erdmann-Zucchero Black Box Theatre
Trombones/Euphoniums: E. Turner Stump Theatre
Tubas: E202
Percussion: University Auditorium at Cartwright Hall
2 p.m. Break
2:30 - 4 p.m. Rehearsal 5
4 p.m. Dismissed for Dinner (not provided, on own or with parents/guardians)
6 p.m. Call time for ALL BANDS (Cartwright Hall, 650 Hilltop Drive)
7 p.m. ALL-STAR BAND GRAND FINALE CONCERT (University Auditorium at Cartwright Hall)
Blue Band on stage: 6:30 p.m.
Blue Band Performance: 7 p.m.
Gold Band Performance: 7:30 p.m.
1910 Band Performance: 8 p.m.
Housing and Overnight Accommodations
- Kent State University All-Star Band will NOT provide housing or chaperones for the weekend festival.
- Participants, parents, and/or directors are responsible for making housing and chaperone arrangements.
- You can find information about area accommodations through the .
EQUIPMENT FOR REHEARSALS
You will be responsible for bringing the following equipment to your instrument: a pencil, reeds, valve oil, mutes, horn string, etc. Percussion instruments will be provided, but percussion students must provide sticks and mallets. Brass players must bring mutes to all rehearsals.
CONCERT INFORMATION
Admission to the Saturday All-Star Band Concert in the University Auditorium at Cartwright Hall is free and we encourage directors, friends and family members to attend. Free parking is available in lots immediately adjacent to the auditorium.
CONCERT ATTIRE
Concert attire is your school鈥檚 concert band attire or concert black.
PARTICIPATION FORMS
Students and guardians are required to fill out a participation form prior to the event.
To complete this form, the student should begin the process by clicking the link below to the Participation Form and filling out all required fields. After entering the requested information, the student will be prompted to add a signature by either typing or drawing it. Once all fields and the signature are complete, the student should click 鈥淐lick to Sign鈥 to submit their portion. If additional signatures are required from a guardian the form will automatically route to the next signer. Each person involved will receive an email notification when it is their turn to sign.