Raging Red Band Festival

2026 Raging Red Band Festival

Tuesday, March 3 at the NDSU Challey School of Music
Wednesday, March 4 at the NDSU Challey School of Music
Thursday, March 5 at Sheyenne High School

General Information

Join us at North Dakota State University March 3-4 and at Sheyenne High School March 5 for the 2026 Raging Red Band Festival! This annual event is a unique opportunity to help your students become stronger performers and a better band. Here’s what to expect:

Feedback from four nationally recognized adjudicators, both in comments and in clinic sessions with the adjudicators actually spending time working with your band.
Clinics with the NDSU instrumental faculty on everyone’s instruments throughout the day.
Performances by the NDSU Wind Symphony and other NDSU music ensembles.
A chance to hear other bands like yours in performance.

Participating bands should plan for a half-day of participation to fully benefit from the activities of the day. You may choose the block of time that best works for you; whether it’s from 8:00 AM to noon, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, or something similar. We strongly suggest all bands be on site at their assigned location (either NDSU or Sheyenne High School; assignments are TBD) no later than 11:15 AM on the day you are attending the Raging Red Band Festival.

Faculty Master Classes

Throughout the day, your students will have a chance to work with NDSU faculty in clinics that address playing on their specific instrument. If you miss a session, don’t worry—there will be several throughout the day for your students to attend.

The clinicians for the 2026 Raging Red Band Festival are TBA.

NDSU Ensemble Performances

The NDSU Wind Symphony will perform on Tuesday and Wednesday of the festival. This is a great way for your students to hear a college-level band, composed of students much like themselves! Plan to build this performance into your schedule as part of your day at NDSU.

On Thursday, an NDSU ensemble will also perform at Sheyenne High School. Stay tuned for more information!

Festival Format

Bands will perform for an adjudicated rating for comments only.

Each band will be given 25 minutes in the warm up and will have 25 minutes to enter, perform, and exit the stage. Bands will then move to the clinic room where they will have 25 minutes with the adjudicator.

Classifications
- Bands will be classified by grade level. Bands using multiple grades will register for the highest grade level in the band. Judges will be informed as to the grade level make up of each band.
Repertoire
- Bands are encouraged to play 2 or more selections of contrasting styles. Bands will provide 3 original and numbered scores for the adjudication panel. Photocopies of scores are acceptable if accompanied by publisher’s letter for those out of print or proof of purchase for backordered scores.
Awards
- All bands have the option to participate for ratings or comments, only.
- Awards will be presented based on the average of the 3 adjudicators’ scores
  - Gold Award- 90-100
  - Silver Award- 80-89
  - Bronze Award- 79 and below
  - Outstanding Section Awards will be given based on an adjudicator’s recommendations.
  - Outstanding Soloist Awards will be given based on an adjudicator’s recommendations.

Registration

Registration for 2026 will open in Fall 2025. More information regarding registration fees will be announced soon.

PLEASE NOTE: If the number of bands exceeds the available spaces, we will accept bands according to registration date. We urge you to register as soon as possible.

Questions?

Please contact Daniel Lee at daniel.lee.3@ndsu.edu or John Warren at 701.220.6259.