Highlands Festival

MCC Highlands Festival

About Highlands Festival

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

The “Highlands Festival” was first established in 2005. Over the past 21 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 the Highlands Festival provides an opportunity for creativity and musicianship while embracing and celebrating band programs of diverse backgrounds.

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.

Application/Deadlines

Ensembles must apply 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, and space in festival. With a goal of equity in mind, we encourage all school programs to consider the educational and musical benefits that the Highlands Festival has to offer.
  • October 1, 2025 – Application Opens for the Highlands Festival 2026
  • December 1, 2025 – Notification of Selection (via email) begins, continuing until the fee deadline 
  • March 1, 2026 – Festival Fee Deadline

Repertoire

There is no required repertoire for the Highlands Festival. 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 the Highlands Festival is based on the date of submitted electronic application. Supporting the mission of the college, the Highlands Festival 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 Texas.

Festival Fee 2026

$250.00 for the first ensemble
$200 for any additional ensemble

The Highlands Festival Experience

Each performing ensemble will receive recorded audio feedback of your performance from our guest clinicians/adjudicators, 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 stage performance. In addition, each ensemble will receive an award commemorating the performance.
Things to do for schools visiting Waco:
  • Cameron Park Zoo
  • Main Event
  • Top Golf
  • Hawaiian Falls
  • Dr. Pepper Museum
  • Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
  • Waco Mammoth National Monument

Questions?

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Conrad

APPLY NOW!

2026 Clinicians

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Waco Community Band Members Together in a Group

Office: BPAC 108 •  Phone: (254) 299-8220 • Email: band@mclennan.edu

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