Events for High School & Middle School Students
Love to make music with others? Thinking of majoring in music? Join us for one (or more!) of our many events for middle and high school aged students. Whether you attend a performance, participate in a festival or instrument specialty day, or tour our facilities, we can’t wait to welcome you to campus!
Benny Golson Jazz Festival
The Benny Golson Jazz Festival was created to honor the life and legacy of the legendary saxophonist/composer, who received an honorary doctorate from Butler University in 2019. The purpose of this late fall, non-competitive festival is to provide middle school and high school Jazz students and directors with impactful educational opportunities and inspiring performances. The festival includes clinics and masterclasses with Butler Jazz faculty and special guest artists as well as a free, closing concert. A participation fee is required.
Cello Day
Cello Day is a free event for cello players in eighth through 12th grade of all playing levels who have had at least one year of cello study. Participants will get to experience cello study at the School of Music first-hand with a master class with guest artists and current cello majors, lunch on campus with Butler students, participation in a large cello ensemble on the Schrott Center stage, and more!
Choir Festivals
Every fall, high school choirs are invited to campus for the Butler University Mixed Choir Festival and Treble Choir Festival where they spend the afternoon participating in clinics on the Schrott Center for the Arts stage with Butler faculty, performances by Butler choral ensembles, plus rehearsal and performance of a special combined repertoire selection under the direction of our choral directors, Dr. Eric Stark, Dr. John Perkins, and Dr. Becky Marsh. The Mixed Choir Festival is invitation-only and is designed for advanced high school ensembles; we usually invite 6-8 groups. The Treble Choir Festival is open to any interested high school treble ensemble; we typically have 10-15 visiting choirs for this event.
Double Reed Day
Bassoon and Oboe players of all ages and playing levels as well as their family, teachers, and friends are welcome to participate in the annual Butler University Double Reed Day every January. This FREE event includes masterclasses and workshops with special guest artists and Butler double reed faculty, performances, a vendor fair, and more all on the beautiful Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University.
Marching Band Shadow Day
High school students in 9th through 12th grade are invited to experience a day in the life of a Butler University Marching Band student at the Butler University Marching Band Shadow Day. This event is free for all participants and includes entry to the evening Butler University football game as well as a meal. Participants will play alongside marching band members in a game-day rehearsal, eat a meal with the band, participate in on-field warm-up and pre-game show, as well as sit in the stands with the band during the evening game.
Vocal Competition for high school singers
The Butler University Vocal Competition (BUVC) encourages excellence in solo vocal performance. It is an opportunity for high school singers to learn through master classes and workshops with Butler faculty and guest clinicians and to connect with college students pursuing music careers. The BUVC consists of an online first round followed by a live Semi-Finals and Finals event on the campus of Butler University.
Piano Competition for high school pianists
The Butler University Piano Competition (BUPC) encourages excellence in solo piano performance. It is an opportunity for high school pianists to learn through masterclasses and workshops with Butler faculty and guest clinicians and to connect with college students interested in pursuing music study. The BUPC consists of an online first round, with an option for a lesson with Butler piano faculty, followed by a live Piano Day event which will include the Semi-Finals and Finals rounds as well as clinics, workshops, masterclasses, and more! All live event activities will take place on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.