Music
CWU Wind Festival
About WindFest
Friday, March 14 - Saturday , March 15, 2025
“WindFest” concert band invitational was first established in 1940. Over the past 83 years, the event has been recognized as one of the premiere concert band festivals in the Pacific Northwest. This two-day event features middle and high school concert bands from throughout the state of Washington and the region. The non-competitive atmosphere of WindFest provides an opportunity for creativity and musicianship while embracing and celebrating band programs of diverse backgrounds.
Internationally and nationally renowned conductors, artist, and teachers serve as adjudicators, providing constructive feedback and positive encouragement for musical growth. In addition, each ensemble participates in a live clinic with an adjudicator, offering real-time instruction. Participating bands receive audio commentary from our guest panel and a professional recording of the on-stage performance.
During WindFest bands will have the opportunity to interact with music faculty and students of the department of music, attend performances by the CWU Wind Ensemble, the preeminent wind band at CWU, and the CWU Jazz Band I. In addition, all performances take place in Hertz Concert Hall, a premiere 600-seat performance space known throughout the region for its visual and acoustical qualities.
Application/Deadlines
Ensembles must apply for an invitation using the online application form. Selection of bands will be based on many factors to include but not limited to time of registration, school size, region/location, space in festival, and previous invitations. With a goal of equity in mind, we encourage all school programs to consider the educational and musical benefits that Windfest has to offer.
- September 1, 2024 – Application Opens for WindFest 2025
- November 1, 2024 – Notification of Selection (via email)
- December 1, 2024 – Festival Fee Deadline
Repertoire
There is no required repertoire for Windfest. Directors are encouraged to program works appropriate to their specific ensemble. Each band will be allotted 20 minutes of on-stage performance. The number of works on the program is at the discretion of the conductor. However, programming must remain within the time limit. No exceptions. Our festival supports a culture of promoting diversity in programmed repertoire and hopes that the event will be a celebration of works from the standard wind band repertoire through contemporary works for band from composers of underrepresented backgrounds.
Invitation of Ensembles
The selection of participants for WindFest is based on the following criteria: date of submitted electronic application and previous festival participation. Supporting the mission of the university, WindFest aims to nurturing culturally sustaining practices that expand access and success to all students. As a result, we have implemented strategies designed to serve the community including but not limited to reserving participation slots for those who are placed on a waiting list during previous festivals (or cancelled due to weather) as well as for programs from underrepresented communities in Washington.
Festival Fee 2025
$400.00 (subject to change)
The WindFest Experience
Each performing ensemble will receive audio feedback of your performance from three adjudicators (two who will focus on the band and one who will focus exclusively on the percussion section) a 20-minute clinic from a nationally recognized music educator immediately following the stage performance, and a clean (no comments) professional audio recording of your performance. In addition, the conductor of each ensemble receives a video recording featuring a frontal view of the conductor.
Questions?
For more information, contact Dr. T. André Feagin
Apply Now!2025 Clinicians
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Dr. Wesley Broadnax
Director of Bands | University of Northern Colorado
Wesley J. Broadnax serves as Associate Professor of Music/Director of Bands at the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO), where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and guides all aspects of the wind band and graduate wind conducting programs.
Prior to his appoint at UNC, he held similar appointments at Drexel University, University of Delaware, California State University-East Bay, and Michigan State University. He is also Assistant Conductor of the Newark Symphony Orchestra (Delaware).
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Christopher Yee
Director of Bands | Cedar Park High School (TX)
Christopher Yee is the Director of Bands at Cedar Park High School and the co-founder of the Cedar Park Winds Community Band.
Born and raised in Klein, Texas, Christopher received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York where he studied trumpet with Frank Campos. Upon graduation in 2005, he began teaching middle school band in Austin, Texas as an assistant band director at Canyon Ridge Middle School. In 2010, Christopher opened Four Points Middle School as its Director of Bands and served in that position until 2017. The Four Points Middle School Wind Ensemble, under Mr. Yee’s leadership, was invited to perform at the 2015 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
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Trey Harris
Director of Bands | Bassett High School (VA)
Trey Harris serves as director of bands at Bassett High School in Bassett, Virginia, a position he has held since 1996. He is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a BA in Music Education. He studied trumpet with Dr. James O’Donnell.
Under his leadership, the Bassett High School Bands have grown from 75 students to over 160. They have consistently received superior ratings from all ensembles at the VBODA Concert and Marching Assessments, as well as numerous local, regional, state, and national awards. The BHS Marching Band has been named the USBands Group 5 Open State Champions for the last seven years. During this time, they have also finished in the top five in the nation in Group 5 Open at the USBands National Championships finishing second three separate times.
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