Concordia Honor Band Day brings high school musicians to campus

On Friday, November 14, Concordia University, Nebraska’s music department hosted their annual National Honor Band Day. The event takes place every year on the second weekend of November and consistently brings large numbers of high school musicians and prospective students to Concordia’s campus. 

Assistant professor of music Robert Cody, conductor of the Wind Symphony and the Honor Band, said, “The National Honor Band is one of my favorite days of the year. I want students who are serious about music and serious about their faith to know that they are not alone in this state or in this country! Watching students connect, make new friends, and make music with people they have never met is inspiring, a heavenly foreshadow of what's to come!”

This year, an ensemble of 80 students was chosen, and 75 attended the event. 

“I want students who are serious about music and serious about their faith to know that they are not alone in this state or in this country! Watching students connect, make new friends, and make music with people they have never met is inspiring, a heavenly foreshadow of what's to come!”

The students arrived on campus Thursday night and stayed in the dormitories with members of the Concordia Wind Symphony. Friday consisted of a full rehearsal, sectionals led by members of the Wind Symphony, lunch, a second full rehearsal and a dress rehearsal at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, before a joint concert with the Wind Symphony at 4:30 p.m. in St. John. 

The Wind Symphony opened the concert with a set of three pieces. The Honor Choir concluded the concert with five pieces of varying styles and difficulty. Around 300 people attended the concert. 

Throughout the weekend, Concordia students and musicians served the Honor Band as greeters, liaisons, sectional leaders, hosts and section assistants. 

The music department at Concordia University, Nebraska provides students with a top-tier, Christ-centered education that prepares them to serve the church and world with their music. Learn more about Concordia’s musical ensembles and lesson opportunities here.