FAQ

What do Teachers need to do after the roster is announced?

1. 1. Share practice parts with accepted students.
   2. Tell parents about the confirmation form due date (Jan. 6, 2025) and payment due date (Jan. 13, 2025).
   3. Coordinate travel arrangements, check-in plans, and Saturday lunch plans with participating families.
   4. Notify the Festival Director (rdedward@owu.edu) ASAP if any accepted students are unable to attend.
   5. Encourage students to practice!
   6. Coordinate with parents so students are picked up from their Saturday morning rehearsal to get lunch before arriving at Gray Chapel for their concert.

What do Parents need to do after the roster is announced?

1. 1. Complete the parent confirmation form by Jan. 6, 2025 to verify media release, identify medical issues, and indicate any dietary restrictions.
   2. Coordinate travel arrangements, payment, and Saturday lunch plans with their child’s band director. 
   3. Encourage students to practice!
   4. Coordinate with teachers so students are picked up from their Saturday morning rehearsal on Feb. 15 to get lunch before arriving at Gray Chapel for their concert.

What do Students need to do after the roster is announced?

1. 1. Receive practice parts from their band director. 
      • MS Students and all Percussion: your parts are pre-assigned based on director nominations.
      • HS Brass & Woodwind students: prepare the target excerpts for seating auditions for the morning of Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.
   2. Practice and get ready for a great performance!

Which students do a seating audition?

1. 1. Only High School brass and woodwind students will do a seating audition after checking in at the start of the festival on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. 
   2. All Middle School students and percussionists have had their parts assigned based on director nomination.
      

When and Where do I check in?
Check-in happens at the same place on both mornings of the festival (February 14 & 15, 2025, 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM). Locations depend on which ensemble a student participates in.

1. Red & Black Middle School Honor Band (Ryan Alexis, conductor)
   Chappelear Drama Center (Best Parking Option = Corns, Beeghly and Chappelear Parking Lots)
2. Bishop Middle School Honor Band (Diana Wightman, conductor)
   Hamilton Williams Campus Center Lobby (Best Parking Option = HWCC Parking Lot A, B)
3. Senior High School Honor Band (Avious Jackson, conductor)
   Sanborn Hall Lobby (Best Parking Option = Sanborn Hall Parking Lot D, or street parking)
4. Woodwind Ensemble (Adrienne Lape, director)
   Sanborn Hall Lobby (Best Parking Option = Sanborn Hall Parking Lot D, or street parking)
5. Brass Ensemble (Sarah Grosse, director)
   Sanborn Hall Lobby (Best Parking Option = Sanborn Hall Parking Lot D, or street parking)
6. Percussion Ensemble (Ben Shaheen, director)
   University Hall Lobby (Best Parking Option = East Campus Parking Lot A)

When and Where do I pick up my student?

• Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
  • 7:45 PM (approximate) – All students end their first day at the Festival Host Concert featuring the OWU Symphonic Wind Ensemble. The Host Concert is open to the public and begins at 7:00 PM in Gray Chapel of University Hall
    
• Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025
  • 10:45 AM – All students are picked up for lunch by their parents or teacher after the final morning rehearsal.
    • For students in the Percussion, Brass, and Woodwind Ensemble: Report to your assigned seating in Gray Chapel by 11:30 AM for the Chamber Concert which begins at 12 PM and ends by 1 PM.
    • For students in Senior Band, Bishop Band, and Red & Black Band: Report to Gray Chapel by 1:30 PM for the Grand Finale Concert featuring all honor bands which begins at 2 PM and concludes by 3:45 PM.NOTE: The Parent Confirmation form allows parents to authorize a child with driving privileges to self-dismiss from the Festival at the Pick-Up times listed above.

How do I get to Ohio Wesleyan University?
Campus Map and Driving Directions to OWU

What is the concert attire?
Dress in whatever your school wears for concert performances. For some, this may be band uniforms, concert black, or formal attire. If more than one person is attending the festival from your school, please make sure you confer with them about what they’re wearing so there is uniformity for each school.

When and Where are the concerts?
Both concerts are open to the public and held in Gray Chapel in University Hall.

1. 1. Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM
      Host Concert featuring the OWU Percussion Ensemble and Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
   2. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM
      Grand Finale Concert featuring the Red & Black MS Honor Band, the Bishop MS Honor Band, the Festival Percussion Ensemble, and the Senior HS Honor Band.

Where can I find housing while I’m attending the festival?
Out-of-town students, directors, and parent chaperones may arrange housing on their own in Delaware area hotels. Central Ohio residents typically commute. All housing arrangements are the responsibility of the student, parent, and/or music teacher. The following hotels are conveniently located less than 10 minutes from the OWU campus:

• Pacer Inn – (740) 362-0050
  259 S Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015.
• Quality Inn & Suites – (740) 363-8869
  1251 Columbus Pike, Delaware, OH 43015.
• Baymont Inn – (740) 363-3510
  1720 Columbus Pike, Delaware, OH 43015.

What are the dining options?

1. Feb. 14, 2025 – Lunch & Dinner Provided
   Lunch and dinner are provided on Friday featuring a buffet for all dietary needs including meat options as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
2. Feb. 15, 2024 – Lunch NOT Included
   Saturday lunch is not included and parents or teachers are requested to pick up students at 10:45 AM from their rehearsal venue to provide lunch. 

A full OWU dining hall buffet lunch and dinner will be provided on Friday only. All of our meals are prepared nut-free with options for all diets including gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.

On Saturday, students will be picked up by their teachers or parents to get lunch prior to the Chamber Concert and the Grand Finale Concert. Many dining options in Downtown Delaware are just a 5-minute walk from campus.

Can I get a note to be excused from school?
Yes. All festival students will receive an official OWU letter describing our event and certifying their participation in the music festival to excuse them from regular classes.

Can teachers receive professional development credit by observing rehearsals or participating as festival staff?
Yes. Please email Dr. Edwards rdedward@owu.edu to make arrangements for this ASAP, preferably by January 13, 2025.

I have other questions…
Please email MusicFestival@owu.edu with your questions, or call the festival director at (740) 368-3721. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible!