Great Lakes Concert Band Festival - Friday, March 20, 2026
The Great Lakes Concert Band Festival at Eastern Michigan University offers concert bands an opportunity to showcase their musicianship in a non-competitive environment focused on learning, exploring, and sharing. Void of ratings, scores, or rankings, GLCBF is committed to providing a unique and memorable experience for students in concert bands of all levels and sizes—middle school through high school.
Participating bands will have the opportunity to perform free of repertoire restrictions for an audience of their peers, friends, families, and a panel of nationally recognized conductors/music educators. In addition to performing in beautiful and historic Pease Auditorium on the campus of EMU, each band will receive a performance video recording, adjudicator recorded comments and a 25-min. educational clinic, and enjoy performances by other ensembles, including the EMU Wind Symphony. An added feature of the Great Lakes Festival is that directors may elect to also receive personal video commentary containing tips and conducting suggestions for their individual professional growth.
JOIN US for an unforgettable experience! REGISTER by October 30 to reserve your spot.
The Great Lakes Festival is the only Music For All affiliate regional festival in Michigan. Located in southeast part of the state, Eastern Michigan University is in an ideal location for programs throughout Michigan, northwest Ohio, and eastern Indiana. As a Music For All festival, participating school ensembles will benefit from attending performances of at least two other peer ensembles during the day, as well as the featured concert by the EMU Wind Symphony.
One of our missions at EMU, as a program with a legacy steeped in music education, is to provide opportunities and resources for school band programs in our area to continue to grow and flourish. In order to provide the best performance and learning experience for all groups, our enrollment is limited to 12 schools. GLCBF has the power to set a new standard for your students and your band program. Register by October 30 to reserve your spot! Registration fee: $495 per band
One of our missions at EMU, as a program with a legacy steeped in music education, is to provide opportunities and resources for school band programs in our area to continue to grow and flourish. In order to provide the best performance and learning experience for all groups, our enrollment is limited to 12 schools. GLCBF has the power to set a new standard for your students and your band program. Register by October 30 to reserve your spot! Registration fee: $495 per band
