2025 TLU TBS-KKY BandFEST
2025 Registration
2025 TLU TBS-KKY BandFEST
(formerly TLU Band Festival)
MORE EVENT INFORMATION
22nd Annual Texas Lutheran University BandFEST
MAY 14-17, 2025
- Registration Deadline: April 17 (Registration will close when all spots are filled.)
- Cancellation Deadline: May 1
- Payment Deadline: May 1
All performances will be in Jackson Auditorium, a wonderful place to get a quality recording of your band!
ENTRY FEES - NEW OPTIONS for 2025
***Please make ALL checks payable to TLU Band Festival/TBS-KKP). Email brichardson@tlu.edu for an invoice to request checks from your school or district***
***Every ensemble must pay for one slot, no "combining" bands into a single slot***
STANDARD SLOT: $375/ensemble
- 30-minute block on Jackson Auditorium Stage including entrance and exit
- Written comments and brief clinic from adjudicators
PREMIERE SLOT: $500/ensemble
- 60-minute block on Jackson Auditorium Stage including entrance and exit
- Written comments and brief clinic from adjudicators
- Preferred afternoon/evening times allowed with consultation with Dr. Richardson
Click here to download the invoice to mail-in with your check
Awards
- Trophies for Participation and Outstanding Performance
- Exceptional Musicianship plaque (limited amounts; designated by judges)
- Personalized Certificate for “All-Star Performers”
Types of Comments - GET COMMENTS TAILORED TO YOUR BAND'S NEEDS!
- ENCOURAGING – “Band is awesome and fun!"
- CONSTRUCTIVE – “Here’s what you need to work on for next year.”
- EVALUATIVE – UIL sheets, Honor Band prep, etc.
All comments MAY reflect all three, but we will do our best to direct our comments appropriately.
Adjudicators: Adjudicators will be experienced Texas Music Educators with a broad understanding of levels and appropriate expectations regarding school size and ensemble performance level.
2025 Judges:
- Emily Gurwitz, Bradley MS (Northeast ISD, Ret'd), Band Consultant
- Dr. Brandon Houghtalen, University of Texas-El Paso
- Prof. Darla McBryde, Sam Houston State University
Performance Requirements
- 2 or 3 selections, 30 minutes on stage max including entrance and exit (longer programs will be allowed as needed with proper notification.)
- Music need not be on the Prescribed Music List
- Bands of all levels are welcome; beginners through high school
- Jazz Bands and Percussion Ensembles welcome
Entry Procedures
- Complete Acceptiva form above to request a performance time. You will be contacted by email or telephone for confirmation. PLEASE NOTE: Time slots will be assigned based on the order they were received.
- Payment (no purchase orders, please) is due by May 1 to hold your scheduled time. Please make checks payable to TLU or Texas Lutheran University and out TLU BandFEST ACCT 224111 in the memo line.
- As our festival schedule is usually full, please notify the TLU Band Director of any cancellations no later than April 1 in order to allow others to participate. Please note that after April 1, there will be no refunds for cancellations.
- Final instructions will be sent out the last week of April.
- Unless you specifically request otherwise, all ensembles will receive a brief on-stage clinic with one of the adjudicators at the completion of their performance.
Recorder: Alan Sharps will be recording this year at no additional cost to you. He will provide a CD for every ensemble that performs. You will receive the CD with your comment sheets, scores and trophy when you check out.
Schedules:Please check the schedule by clicking the link below to make sure of your times and to verify your entry and information forms/checks have been received.
Registration Deadline: Thursday, April 17th (Thursday prior to Good Friday)
Direct all questions to:
Contact Us:
Dr. Brett A. Richardson
Director of Bands
brichardson@tlu.edu
Information For Directors
Please check the schedule above to verify that your entry information is correct, and your forms and checks have been received with Dr. Richardson. Email the announcer’s sheet and set-up charts to Dr. Brett Richardson at your earliest convenience. More information will be available.
Check-In: When you reach campus, Jackson Auditorium is visible from Highway 46. Stop at Jackson to drop off your scores, your set-up charts and announcer’s sheet (if you did not email them in early) and pick up your monitor. If you have large percussion equipment, you may unload it outside of Jackson at the loading dock.
Scores: Please bring three original, numbered judge’s scores for each of your selections to turn in when you arrive.
Warm-Up: Warm up will be in the Weston Center Teggeman Band Hall, attached to Jackson Auditorium.
Move to the Stage: Five minutes before you perform, you will move to the stage. It is a short walk down the street to the backstage entrance of the auditorium. You should have sufficient time to play a bit on stage or check tuning before you give the announcer the go-ahead. We will provide transport for larger instruments.
Onstage Equipment: There will be no risers onstage. If you want risers, please bring your own and a crew to help get them on and off the stage. Risers are not necessary on the stage at Jackson – the acoustics are wonderful without them. There is a good sound shell on the stage and it will be set up as it is for our concerts.
The following percussion equipment is available onstage if you choose to use it: timpani, bass drum, chimes, gong, xylophone, vibes, marimba, and bells. Please bring your own cymbals, snare, toms, or accessories, and all sticks and mallets. There will be a podium and conductor’s stand onstage. If you have any other special needs, please let the TLU Director of Bands know so we can try to accommodate you.
On-stage Clinic: We are happy to provide a SHORT onstage clinic if you would like one and if time allows. The judges will take turns giving verbal critique to those that want it. The clinic might consist of some encouragement, some brief thoughts about improving as an ensemble, or it could include talking about how to improve a specific spot in the music that didn’t quite happen in performance. We will also encourage students to attend TLU Summer Music Academy at the end of June. When you check in, please confirm whether, if time allows, you would like a short onstage clinic.
Recorder: Alan Sharps will be recording this year at no additional cost to you. He will provide a CD for every ensemble that performs. You will receive the CD with your comment sheets, scores and trophy when you check out.
Judges: All judges are experienced, successful directors with experience at all levels of teaching and a great deal to offer our performing groups.
Comment Sheets and Trophies: All groups performing will receive comment sheets and a trophy. The trophies are either “Participant” or “Outstanding Performance” awards. A copy of the adjudication form is included with this information as well.
Contact:
Dr. Brett A. Richardson
Director of Bands
Baenziger Professor of Music
Associate Professor
(830)-372-6045