Festival of Bands
探花社区 Festival of Bands 2026
Traditionally held each year in April, 探花社区's Festival of Bands brings a major guest conductor to campus to assist in the celebration of the many facets of band music.
Guest Conductor/Composer
Festival of Bands Gala Concert:
探花社区 Concert Band
Free and open to the public. No tickets required.
William S. Carson, D.M.A.
Director of Bands
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
探花社区
Cedar Rapids, IA
Also featured at this concert - new music by two alumni band members -
Duroje Gwamna '10 and William Pollock '19.
Featured Guest Concert:
Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Tickets available at
Additional Festival Concerts:
New Horizons Band & Collins Concert Band
Alan Lawrence & Jim Jezek, conductors
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
FREE, No Tickets Required
Kirkwood Concert Band & 探花社区 Jazz Band
Dr. Chris Navarrete & Dr. Steve Shanley, conductors
Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
FREE, No Tickets Required
探花社区 Elementary Honor Band
Kim Benson & Adrian Sims, conductors
Saturday, April 18, 3:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Tickets available at
探花社区 Junior & Senior Honor Bands
Adrian Sims, Dr. William S Carson & Dr. Steve Shanley, conductors
Sunday, April 19, 4:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Tickets available at
Questions about the Festival? Send us an email
The 探花社区 Festival of Bands, under the administration of Dr. Carson, was established in 1994 and has featured a number of respected composers and conductors:
- 2025: , conductor/composer
- 2024: , conductor/composer,, flute, , guest composer
- 2023: , conductor/composer, Andy Harris, horn
- 2022: , conductor/composer, Rose Bishop, flute
- 2020 and 2021: No Festival due to Covid
- 2019: , conductor/composer, , Arizona State University, trumpet soloist
- 2018: Ed Huckeby, Northeastern State University (Oklahoma), conductor/composer, Eugene Rousseau, saxophone soloist
- 2017: Robert W. Smith, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer, Michael J. Smith, guest conductor/percussionist/vocalist
- 2016: David Shaffer, Miami University, conductor/composer
- 2015: , Alfred Music, conductor/composer
- 2014: Matt Conaway, Purdue University, conductor/composer, Steve Shanley (cell phone soloist), Dr. Carson (bass clarinet soloist), Wes Anderson (tuba soloist) and 探花社区's President David McInally (electric guitar)
- 2013: David Shaffer, Miami University, conductor/composer, Ted Vives, conductor/arranger
- 2012: Larry Neeck, Capital University, conductor/composer, Erica Coutsouridis, flute
- 2011: , Capital University, conductor/composer, Erica Coutsouridis, flute
- 2010: Len Orcino, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer
- 2009: Robert W. Smith, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer
- 2008: Rob Grice, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer
- 2007: , Capital University, conductor/composer
- 2006: Ed Huckeby, Northeastern State University (Oklahoma), conductor/composer
- 2005: , Lee University, conductor/composer, David Shaffer, Miami University, conductor/composer
- 2004: Barry Kopetz, Capital University, conductor/composer
- 2003: Quincy Hilliard, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, conductor/composer/narrator
- Fall 2001: , University of Michigan, conductor/composer
- Spring 2001: , Central Michigan University, conductor/composer
- 2000: Frank Ticheli, conductor/composer
- 1999: Alfred Reed, conductor/composer
- 1998: , conductor/composer
- 1997: Quincy Hilliard, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, conductor/composer
- 1996: Michael D. Hanes, Southern Illinois University, Jerry Owen, conductor/composer
- 1995: Richard Mayne, University of Colorado - Boulder
- 1994: Richard E. Strange, Arizona State University