The award-winning Urbana High School band program is more than just a variety of musical ensembles. We are a family of students, directors, parents, alumni and community partners who collaborate to promote excellence in our UHS band program. Throughout the year, the UHS Band Boosters provide support to our bands and raise the necessary funds to make high quality music education accessible for all students regardless of income or background.
Mark your calendars for Urbana School District #116's award-winning Band, Choir and Orchestra Festivals during the week of February 24-26th! All are welcome to attend and admission is free for all festivals: 1) Urbana Orchestra Festival (5th-12th Grades), Tuesday, February 24 at 7 pm in the UMS Gymnasium; 2) Urbana Band Festival (5th-12th Grades), Wednesday, February 25 at 7 pm in the UMS Gymnasium; 3) Urbana Choir Festival (6th-12th Grades), Thursday, February 26 at 7 pm in the UHS Oscar Adams Gymnasium. Learn more about USD116's outstanding music programs here.
UHS and UMS 8th Grade Band Families are invited to an informational 2027 UHS Band Trip meeting in the UHS Commons on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Please enter through the #1 Doors off of Iowa Street any time after 5:30 PM. We will discuss three different trip options at this meeting. The discussions will include approximate cost per participant as well as what the trip will include (performances, entry fees, hotel accommodations, meals, etc.). There will be time for questions as well. At the conclusion of the meeting, we will be asking you to submit your preferences for which trip you would prefer. If you are unable to attend this meeting, all of the information will be made available to students in classes the next day.
Calling all band families! Urbana Band Boosters will be hosting a concessions stand in the UHS Commons from 5 pm to 7 pm during Solo & Ensemble on Tuesday, March 10. Please help by signing up here to donate concessions items or work at the stand. As always, thank you for supporting your student's music education!
We are grateful to Miranda Soucie, Partner with Spiros Law, P.C. for her extraordinary commitment to Urbana High School Bands. Miranda’s connection to music began at age 12 when she began marching in Drum & Bugle Corps. As a first generation college and law student, she knows firsthand the positive impact that music and band can have. Miranda credits her experience in band with helping her learn the value of community, commitment, and discipline. These lessons helped her through law school, shaped her career, and continue to influence her approach to her legal practice today. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for her significant contributions toward the completion of the band room expansion and music library. Her remarkable support will improve student outcomes and the quality of life in our community for generations.
Congratulations to the Urbana School District #116 music students selected to participate in the 2026 ILMEA All-State Festival in January!
View our Fall 2025 Newsletter, 100th Anniversary Retrospective: A Century of Urbana Bands here.
Join us for the 2025-26 Band Booster Meetings! Meetings will take place on the following dates at 7 pm in the UHS Band Room: March 5, April 2* and May 7. New this year, meetings marked with an asterisk (*) are designated as planning meetings. Find a full list of meeting dates and topics here.
Stay informed and use the 2025-2026 UHS Bands At-a-Glance Calendar to mark performances and events in your schedule. Find the calendar here.
If you have questions for other parents or would like the latest up-to-date on-site information on performances and events, join our GroupMe here.
Follow us on Facebook here and Instagram here for more information about all of our band ensembles, as well as a link to photos and videos from the season.
Allow Us to Contact You! Band Boosters would like to send out occasional group emails directly instead of asking Band Directors to forward our emails. Mostly this is for event planning and to keep you in the loop. To do this, we need your email addresses. Please fill out the Family Contact Form here so we can contact you!
The Urbana High School Bands include two concert bands, a marching band with color guard, two big-band style jazz ensembles, a jazz combo, a brass choir, a woodwind choir, and a percussion ensemble. Please click on each section below to find out more information.
Stacey Peterik, Director
Christi Fernsberg, Director
Kristi Kaplan, Color Guard Instructor
Peyton Black, Percussion Instructor
The Boosters are comprised of parents, alumni and community members. Urbana Bands are committed to making our award-winning program accessible for all students regardless of financial need. All are welcome and encouraged to join our extended band family. Our entire Urbana community benefits when we collaborate together. Please join us!
Donations
If you would like to support the band with a donation, checks payable to Urbana Band Boosters can be sent to the attention of Mr. Hicks at Urbana High School, 1002 S Race, Urbana, IL 61801.
To make a secure donation to the Urbana Bands Trip Scholarship Fund online: Please click here.
To make a secure donation to the Urbana Bands 100th Anniversary Equipment Fund online: Please click here.
To make a secure donation to the Dr. Evelyn B. Underwood Instrumental Assistance Fund online: Please click here.
Thank you!
Alumni and Friends
The Urbana High School bands are rich in history and we would like to stay connected with our Alumni and Friends!
Check out our Urbana High School Bands Alumni website here.
Please consider completing the Urbana Bands Alumni & Friends Database Form to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events.
Email us your photos and stories about Urbana Bands here.
Follow Urbana Bands Alumni on Facebook here and Instagram here.
Fundraising can be easier than you think. Here are some of the ways you can help out:
Invite your friends and family to a band event.
Like and Share Urbana Bands social media posts on Facebook and Instagram.
Participate in fundraising events.
Write your school board and local legislators and share how music education has impacted your student and family in a positive way.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Band Families are invited to join our GroupMe at UHS Band Boosters Group Me for more information.
