McNeese State University offers several exciting opportunities for High School Band Students.

The McNeese State University Jazz Festival

The McNeese State University Jazz Festival takes place each Spring, hosted by the McNeese State University jazz program, the District V Band Director’s Association, and the Banners Cultural Series. High school, middle school, and junior college groups are invited to perform in a festival format for an audience and judges. Each band will receive a clinic with a top jazz educator right after their performance. Although the festival is … read more

All-Star Marching Band

– 2012 Date: Saturday, September 8 Each fall, the Pride of McNeese welcomes high school musicians from across Louisiana and Texas to our Lake Charles campus to perform with The Cowboy Marching Band at an exciting Cowboys home football game! Students rehearse and perform a halftime show with the MSU band. It is a great way to get immersed in the college band experience, come join us!

The Showdown at Sundown High School Marching Band Festival

– The Showdown at Sundown is hosted each October by the McNeese State University Cowboy Marching Band. This weekday evening high school marching band festival is held under the lights in the beautiful Cowboy Stadium on the McNeese State campus. Between 10 and 20 high school bands perform in a festival format for the audience and judges. An invitation is extended to regional bands each spring. The festival is open to the public for a minimal admission price.

High School Summer Band Camps

– The MSU Summer Band Camps provide an intense and exciting four days of education and preparation for high school marching band, concert band and jazz band in the fall.

All-Star High School Honor Band

– Each spring, the McNeese State University Band hosts a high school honor band for Louisiana and Texas student musicians. The ensemble will rehearse with an outstanding guest wind conductor and perform in concert. Recent guest conductors include Dr. David A. Waybright (University of Florida) and Dr. Christopher Heffner (Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania). The McNeese Wind Symphony will present a special concert on Friday evening. Students are also treated to a master class on their specific instrument, presented by McNeese State faculty members on Friday afternoon. The weekend concludes Saturday afternoon with the honor band concert.