Events for High School and Middle School Students
Love to make music with others? Want to explore Butler’s beautiful campus? 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, tour the School of Music, or participate in a specialty day or festival, we can’t wait to welcome you to campus!
Butler University Music Specialty Days are opportunities for students of various playing levels to work with Butler faculty and students in their instrument area. Activities include master classes, faculty/student showcases, group rehearsals and performances, Q&A sessions, and more! Our current offerings are listed below. Please click the event title to see more details for each event, including registration forms.
Events for 2022-2023
Benny Golson Jazz Festival December 5, 2022
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.
Butler University Vocal Competition 2023 (BUVC)
First round is online with videos due January 15, 2023. Semi-Finals and Finals Rounds plus workshops, masterclasses, and more on-campus on Saturday, February 11, 2023. Open to high school singers only. Requires a registration fee.
Cello Day Saturday, October 8, 2022
Free, on-campus event open to cello players of all levels in eighth through 12th grade.
Double Reed Day Saturday, January 21, 2023
Free, on-campus event open to oboe and bassoon players of all ages and levels.
Violin Day Saturday, September 24, 2022
Free, on-campus event open to violin players of all levels in eighth through 12th grade.
Mixed Choir Festival: Monday, September 26, 2022
Mixed Choir Festival Application will re-open in 2023!
The Butler University Mixed Choir Festival is designed for the advanced high school choral ensembles. Festival participation is by invitation and requires an application. The event typically includes 6-8 visiting choirs and includes clinics with Butler faculty, performances by Butler choral ensembles, and the opportunity for participating choirs to rehearse and perform a combined repertoire selection under the direction of Dr. John Perkins. Students interested in studying music at the collegiate level may also request a sample voice lesson with Butler voice faculty member.
Event details:
- Date: Monday, September 26, 2022
- Location: Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
- Combined repertoire piece: “Oh! What a Beautiful City,” arr. Rollo Dilworth, to be conducted by Dr. John Perkins
- Cost: $5 participation fee per student
- How to participate: Complete the Mixed Choir Festival 2022 Application, invited choirs will be contacted via email after applications are reviewed.
Treble Choir Festival: Monday, November 14, 2022
Register your group: Treble Choir Festival 2022 Registration Form
The Butler University Treble Choir Festival is open to all interested high school treble ensembles. The festival typically includes 10-15 visiting choirs, of various sizes and skill levels. Butler Choral Festivals will include clinics with Butler faculty, performances by Butler choral ensembles, and the opportunity for participating choirs to rehearse and perform a combined repertoire selection under the direction of Dr. Becky Marsh. We invite you to bring your students to witness choral music at the collegiate level and allow them to learn skills first-hand in a college setting!
Event details:
- Date: Monday, November 14, 2022
- Time: 12:30-4:00 PM
- Location: Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
- Combined repertoire piece: “Lineage” by Andrea Ramsey, to be conducted by Dr. Becky Marsh
- Cost: $5 participation fee per student
- How to participate: Complete the Treble Choir Festival 2022 Registration Form. Participation is on a first come, first served basis. Registration will close on November 1 or when the event has reached capacity.
Questions? Email music@butler.edu or call 317-940-9065
Sample Lesson (virtual and in-person)
High school juniors and seniors who are considering a Music Major at Butler may request a complimentary private sample lesson with a music faculty member. Lessons are typically 30-45 minutes and are great opportunities to receive pre-audition feedback and get to know our faculty. Virtual lessons available. To request a lesson, please contact the School of Music office at music@butler.edu or 317-940-9065.
Student Shadow Days
High school seniors interested in a Music Major at Butler can experience a “day in the life” of a music student by shadowing a current Butler music major. Shadow days may include attending classes, rehearsals, and lunch in a campus dining hall with a shadow host. We try to pair visiting students with a music major in their specific area of interest and/or instrument. NOTE: These events are different than the Butler University Admitted Student Visits. To schedule a student shadow day, please contact the School of Music office at music@butler.edu or 317-940-9065.
Summer music and arts camps are offered through the Butler Community Arts School (BCAS) annually. Camps primarily serve ages 12-18 and are wonderful opportunities for students to experience campus and the music program at Butler University. A tentative list of music camps is shown below.
For specific details and registration, visit the Butler Community Arts School Summer Camps webpage.
BCAS Summer Camp offerings (subject to change):
- Bass Camp (upright bass)
- Brass Camp (trombone, trumpet, tuba, euphonium, horn)
- Jazz Camp (instrumental and vocal tracks)
- Percussion Camp
- Piano Camp
- Snare and Tenor Camp
- String Scholars Camp (violin, viola, cello, upright bass)
- Woodwind Camp (bassoon, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, flute)
- Voice Camp
To learn more about the Butler Community Arts School’s (BCAS) role at Butler and in the Indianapolis community, please visit the BCAS webpage or contact BCAS@butler.edu.
Enjoy one of our many ensemble and faculty performances throughout the year in our beautiful, on-campus venues. For a full list of performances for the upcoming season, please visit the Butler Arts & Events Center website. If you would like to attend an individual student recital, please see the School of Music Events and Performances website. Many events are free and/or livestreamed!