The award-winning Honor Band of America is part of the four-day Music for All National Festival held every March in Indianapolis, Ind. Ensemble members audition from high schools all over the U.S.

While at the festival, students get the opportunity to rehearse and perform with world-class composers, conductors, and guest artists, and to premiere specially commissioned works.

This year’s national festival included the MSU College of Music’s very own Kevin Sedatole, director of bands, and Joseph Lulloff, professor of saxophone, who both spent four days working with students and colleagues.

“It’s amazing,” says Lulloff. “I do a lot of clinics and I come across many wonderful musicians. I think the younger students of today play as well as college graduate students of yesterday.”

Lulloff added that Honor Band of America students were highly attuned to the experience.

“They hear things in line movement and dynamics that opens an incredible musical dialogue, which creates some special moments,” he says.

The talent of band members also makes for a fantastic performance. The Honor Band closed the festival with a full house.

Sedatole, who served as conductor of the 2015 Honor Band of America, agrees with Lulloff on the level of talent that was present.

“The program for the concert had never been done with high school students,” says Sedatole. “The music was written for college wind ensembles. It’s so great to connect with these young people on a professional level. The students come here for that high-level experience and want to be pushed, and that’s what we are here to give them.”

Videos courtesy Music for All: