Batavia Band Festival
Since 2018, the Batavia Bands have hosted the Batavia Band Festival, which welcomes high school non-top bands to perform in the Batavia Fine Arts Centre in a non-competitive atmosphere with clinicians suited for this level of student. The Batavia Band Festival is the first exclusively non-top band festival of its kind in Illinois.
The 2026 Festival will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2026
Each ensemble receives a 20-minute professionally recorded performance on our tremendous Batavia Fine Arts Center Main Stage. Each ensemble receives comments from our clinicians specifically chosen for this festival, a percussionist only commentary, and an extended clinic with one of our clinicians specifically chosen to enhance the educational experience for students and directors alike. There are no awards, ratings, or placements for this clinic – we are just trying to create wonderful educational experiences for all of the student performers.
The cost for this festival is $325 for each performing ensemble. Invoices will be sent upon acceptance.
Our adjudicators for the 2026 Batavia Band Festival are below:
Mr. Kevin Carroll – Band Director (retired), Waubonsie Valley High School
Dr. Stacey Dolan – Associate Director of Bands, VanderCook College of Music
Dr. James Lambrecht – Director of Bands, Augustana College
Dr. Rachel Maxwell – Director of Bands, Traughber Junior High School
Mr. Matt Plaskota – Freelance Percussionist and Percussion Educator, Indian Prairie SD #204
Mr. Brayer Teague – Director of Bands (retired), Downers Grove North High School; Assistant Director of Bands, Elmhurst College
Mr. Jim Stombres – Director of Bands (retired), St. Charles North High School
Registration for this event will open on September 2nd, 2025, at 8:00 am.
See this list of previously performed literature and the ensembles that have performed at the Batavia Band Festival.
Questions about the Batavia Band Festival can be directed to Chris Owen.