UMN-TC Concert Band Festival: A Music for All Affiliate Regional Music Festival Presented by Yamaha

A concert band ensemble actively performing on Ted Mann Concert Hall stage with a conductor standing in front of the ensemble with his hands raised.
The Mounds View High School Concert Band perform at the 2024 UMN-TC Concert Band Festival under the direction of Bill Sucha.

Join us in Ted Mann Concert Hall at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities for the 2027 Concert Band Festival: A Music for All Affiliate Regional Music Festival, Presented by Yamaha. This non-competitive festival offers an enriching experience for high school concert band students and their conductors, designed to foster musical growth, artistic collaboration, and professional development.

March 4-5, 2027 Performance Schedule

All performances are free, open to the public, and take place in Ted Mann Concert Hall. We invite you to join us and support these incredible student and professional musicians!

Thursday, March 4 @ 8:00pm = University Wind Ensemble (featured ensemble)

Friday, March 5 @ 8:00pm = Minnesota Symphonic Winds (featured ensemble)

Additional Bands are forthcoming

About the Festival

Each year, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Concert Band Festival brings together ten to twelve high school concert bands for two days of outstanding music-making, feedback, and inspiration. Ensembles perform in a supportive environment that emphasizes musical excellence and mutual respect. Participants also enjoy the opportunity to attend performances by other ensembles, including featured performances by University of Minnesota musicians.

Leadership & Clinicians

Dana Pradervand-Sedatole

Dana Pradervand-Sedatole is a Music Specialist at Michigan State University’s College of Music where she teaches instrumental pedagogy classes and is the Director of the Spartan Youth Wind Symphony.

Ms. Sedatole recently completed her tenure as the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Houston as well as serving as President of the Texas Music Educators Association. Prior to her collegiate appointments, Ms. Sedatole taught 32 years at public schools in Texas. During her time as a middle school and high school band director, her programs received distinguished recognition and numerous awards including Runner-up placement in the TMEA 6A Honor Band Competition, UIL State Marching Contest qualifier and a 3 time National Wind Band Honoree.

Ms. Sedatole’s ensembles have performed across the United States including the National Youth Concert in Carnegie Hall, Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and festival appearances in Colorado, Louisiana and Florida.

Dana Sedatole is a graduate of Texas Tech University receiving her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Performance. Ms. Sedatole is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and Europe. She maintains professional affiliations with the American Bandmasters Association,Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, Texas Music Adjudicators Association and serves on the Board of Trustees for The Foundation for Music Education. Ms. Sedatole serves on the Music Achievement Council and has been selected to the Yamaha Master Educator Collective.

Craig Kirchoff

Having appeared as a guest conductor throughout the world, Craig Kirchhoff brings a deep understanding of both traditional and contemporary literature to his sessions, including one titled “Score Study: A Different Perspective.” With a celebrated teaching career spanning decades, Kirchhoff is professor emeritus of conducting at the University of Minnesota and remains true to his mission of changing lives through the experience of making music.

Kirchhoff works extensively with undergraduate and graduate music students, helping them amass a collection of tools which they, in turn, may use to provide life-changing experiences for their future students. Kirchhoff also thoroughly enjoys working with and guest conducting high school and collegiate ensembles.

Inspired by his high school band director, Kirchhoff challenges and motivates educators to rediscover the “magical moment” when their lives were changed through music. Through this sense of purpose, directors find a more philosophical framework for teaching, and realize their most significant contribution as an educator is to pass this inspiration on to their students. He truly believes that all decision-making stems from a director’s desire to provide an atmosphere that enhances the students’ curiosity, so that they are able to unlock their own discoveries about and passion for meaningful music-making.

Kirchhoff believes that enthusiasm is external, and alone will not motivate an educator or a student. Passion, however, is internal, lasts a lifetime and moves us all forward while inspiring others.

Featured Performers

We are excited to announce that the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble and the Minnesota Symphonic Winds will be two of our featured performers during the Festival!

Registration

Registration for the 2027 Concert Band Festival will open in October 2026.

  • 2027 fees are $500 per ensemble.
  • For questions or inquiries, please contact us at [email protected].

Participation Includes

  • 20-minute performance on the Ted Mann Concert Hall stage
  • 45-minute clinic with a guest clinician or University of Minnesota faculty
  • Written feedback from clinicians
  • Professional audio recording of each performance, provided post-event
  • Opportunity to observe other ensembles from around the region
  • Access to large percussion equipment and a grand piano

Repertoire is selected by the conductor. Please bring three additional sets of scores for use by the clinicians. Professional concert attire is encouraged.

Have Questions?
We’re happy to help. Email us at [email protected].