Local Honor Bands and Festivals

FORT DODGE AREA SYMPHONY
2027 YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION

On Sunday, March 21, 2027 the Fort Dodge Area Symphony will present its annual Young Artists Concert, which showcases young musicians performing with our orchestra as winners of our annual Young Artists Competition. We would like to invite your students to participate in our 2027 Young Artists Competition.

Audition Procedure

Our Young Artists Competition consists of two rounds: a Preliminary Video-Only Round and a Final In-Person Round. Musicians invited to participate in the final round will audition in-person on Saturday, January 16, 2027 at the Fort Dodge Middle School in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In case of bad weather, we will use videos submitted from the preliminary round to determine competition winners.

Application Process

Detailed competition information including how to register and submit your video can be found by visiting www.fdsymphony.org/young-artists-competition/.

Submission Deadline

Audition forms and videos must be received/submitted no later than Friday, December 11, 2026 to be eligible. A competition schedule will be shared with musicians invited to participate in the in-person final round in early January 2027.

Should you have any questions regarding our 2027 Young Artists Competition, please contact Paul Hochmuth, Business Manager, at FortDodgeAreaSymphony@gmail.com.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing your students at our 2027 Young Artists Competition.

Joshua Barlage

Music Director and Conductor

Fort Dodge Area Symphony

www.fdsymphony.org

Fort Dodge Area Symphony 2027 Young Artists Competition Audition Form.pdf

Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Jazz Festival - November 5th

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRPYnwCGjlTlNKyawtkvOPYVPFUCkYNO2tgCznVemyABdi-Q/viewform

MS and HS Jazz Improvisation and HS Band clinics led by Andy Hall, Joey Gulizia, Jeff Jenkins, Dan Cassady, and Lincoln Larsen.

Morning Clinics: $10 per student up to $100

Morning Clinics and HS Band Afternoon Clinic: $150

Tentative Schedule:

8:45 a.m. Arrive at Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center Lobby

9:00 – 9:20 a.m. Festival Kickoff and Artist Performance

9:30 – 10:20 a.m. Instrument Specific Masterclasses

10:30 – 11:20 a.m. Beginner Improv Clinic – PAC

Advanced Improv Clinic – Room 35

11:20 – 11:30 a.m. Reunite in PAC for Final Performance

11:30 a.m. Lunch Break (food available in our cafeteria)

Afternoon: High School Jazz Band Clinics!

Jazz Band Contest - January 21 (1A, 2A), January 22 (3A,4A)

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpttSUD7j3k4aMD8hJE7tMm-dsTaCpqWQyVBWsZqliDgca5w/viewform

Judges: Erik Mahon, Steve Citta, Mike Giles

Clinicians: Damani Phillips, Tommy Krueger

We’re excited to expand our Jazz Band Contest!

This year, bands will have the opportunity to work with professional clinicians in a separate space. With this expanded format, we can welcome up to 30 bands!

Registration:

• Before December 1 – $175

• December 1 and after – $200

Iowa Lakes Summer Jazz Camp

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU3DgTuYT46TRcpm-3UlavnELhRz2rXK67xgTtZtxWd-H6FA/viewform

We’re excited to bring a fresh new vision to the Iowa Lakes Summer Jazz Camp! While honoring the camp’s long-standing tradition of developing young jazz musicians, our revamped experience will feature expanded instruction, new faculty, more opportunities to perform, and a renewed focus on making music, building confidence, and creating lasting memories. Whether you’re new to jazz or ready to take your playing to the next level, there’s a place for you at camp!

New Faculty Hired (So Far!):

Adam Schroeder, Bari Sax: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y-TPWB3vDQ

Greg Simon, Trumpet: https://gregsimonmusic.bandcamp.com/album/fanfare-nocturne-fanfare

Kirby Fellis, Trombone: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SPllO1sGl4c

Clark Sommers, Bass: https://youtu.be/W4luIBJuk08?si=H8Gm55ykbT5oz6Ml

John Kizilarmut, Drums: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxl3ENqBrv4

Scott Hesse, Guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtX2m-9lUkQ

Cost Breakdown:

$300 – Tuition

$250– Room and board

Scholarships available!

Lincoln Larsen