Björling Music Festival

Gustavus Adolphus College Department of Music welcomes all high school students and directors to our Björling Music Festival. Each day is dedicated to a different ensemble: band, jazz, orchestra, choir, and wind ensemble. There will be many opportunities to work with renowned guest artists, to perform in great venues, and to interact with students and faculty from Gustavus.


 
Orchestra

Honor Orchestra

November 3 and 4, 2023

Karin Moreaux leads the 5th annual Gustavus Honors Orchestra, joined by Dr. Justin Knoepfel, Dr. Natalia Moiseeva, Sharon Mautner-Rodgers, and Rolf Erdahl. Students will participate in masterclasses and clinics with string faculty from Gustavus, culminating in a festival concert not to be missed. This ensemble is open to string players only.

 

 
Band

Honor Band

November 5 and 6, 2023

Centered on creativity in performance and education, the Honor Band Festival brings together more than 250 students from 60+ upper Midwest high schools forming two all-state caliber symphonic bands. Join Dr. James Patrick Miller, Dr. Heidi Johanna Miller, and Dr. Karrin Meffert-Nelson for a full day of rehearsal labs, masterclasses, clinics with faculty, a special concert featuring the Gustavus music ensembles, and a finale concert in Christ Chapel.

 

 
Jazz

Jazz Jamboree POSTPONED

March 1, 2024

This immersive educational jazz festival offers high school jazz ensembles from throughout the Midwest the opportunity to perform in Björling Recital Hall, garner constructive feedback from Gustavus faculty and stellar guest clinicians, attend instructional masterclasses with jazz professionals, and hear the award-winning Gustavus Jazz Ensemble live in concert.

 

 
Choir

Vocal Festival

March 15, 2024

The Vox Lucia Vocal Festival for Leadership & Singing will bring together outstanding singers and fine choral repertoire in a powerful one-day experience. Students will refine their musical skills through engaging music rehearsals and masterclasses, learn from nationally recognized guest speakers on a variety of topics, and consider new ways to use their voices and share their stories.

 

Handbells

Honor Handbells

March 16, 2024

The Björling Handbell Festival invites ringers with intermediate/advanced handbell experience to join members of the Gustavus Handbell ensembles for a day of large group ringing, workshops focused on special techniques, plus social and community building activities designed to encourage healthy and artistic ringing in a fun environment. Sessions will be led by Dr. Chad Winterfeldt and members of the Gustavus handbell ensembles.

 

 
Windvitational

Windvitational

April 19, 2024

The Windvitational brings three of the regions finest high school wind bands to campus for a relaxed day of workshops, collaboration, and artistry. The Windvitational is designed to be about process and pedagogy as well as performance. Ensembles have the opportunity to work with Gustavus faculty and ensembles. Directors are also given the opportunity to mentor Gustavus music education students during the day.