Saturday, September 12, 2026 at

The WindFest Chamber Music Experience!!

A one day festival where wind and brass students in grades 6–12 build skills, confidence, and connections through hands on coaching and chamber music, while parents get their own session with resources to support their student's musical journey.

For Students

  • Learn from top clinicians and performers in coaching sessions and masterclasses

  • Play in a small chamber ensemble, where you make musical decisions together, work through problems as a team, and find your own voice within the group

  • Support the Young Artist Competition finalists from around the state!

  • Build technique through focused warm-up sessions

  • Perform on stage in a final concert

  • Meet other young wind and brass musicians from across Iowa

  • Discover next steps, like the Young Artist Competition and other IOWinds Alliance programs

For Parents

  • A dedicated parent session covering how to support your student musically, resources, next steps, and career pathways in music

  • Chamber music experience that builds real skills: communicating respectfully, listening to others, and taking ownership of one's own part, not just playing an instrument

  • Small group settings that give every student individual attention, not just large ensemble time

  • A supportive, well organized event run by IOWinds Alliance, Iowa's only nonprofit dedicated to wind and brass music education

  • A chance to connect with a statewide community of music families

Schedule for the Day

8:00-11:00 AM: Young Artist Competition - finalists announced by Aug. 15th
8:45-9:15 AM: General Registration
9:15-9:45 AM: Warm-Up Session for Students
9:30-10:45 AM: Parent Information Session (optional)
9:55-11:10 AM: Chamber Rehearsal #1 for Students
11:15-12:15 PM: Student Session in Instrument Groups
12:20-1:00 PM: Pizza Lunch and Awards Announcement
1:00-1:40: Q/A Session (2 options for students to choose)
1:45-3:00 PM: Chamber Rehearsal #2 for Students
3:45-4:45 PM: Winners Recital for YAC 1st prize winners
5:00-6:15 PM: Final Concert for WindFest - all students
6:15-6:30 Photo Session and Goodbyes!

Register today!
WindFestGeneral participants: $60
(Enrollment Open until September 1, 2026)

Register here

Financial aid is available for students wishing to participate in WindFest 2026.

Please contact us to learn more about our financial aid.

Contact Us

Woodwind Teaching Artists

  • Hannah Porter Occeña, flute

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  • Heather Peyton, oboe

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  • Amanda McCandless, clarinet

    Supported by Dr. Maurita Murphy Marx.

    Read Bio

  • Ann Bradfield, saxophone

    Supported by Lisa Marie Rousseau & Eric Tollefsrud.

    Read Bio

  • Matthew Ransom, bassoon

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Brass Teaching Artists

  • Scott Hagarty, trumpet

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  • Maddy Tarantelli, horn

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  • Anthony Williams, trombone

    Supported by Chris & Amy Copeland.

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  • Brett Copeland, Euphonium/Tuba

    Supported by The Quinlan Family

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2026 WindFest Young Artist Competition

Each year, our optional Young Artist Competition (YAC) offers $6,000 in cash prizes. The 2026 YAC is open to all woodwind & brass students participating in our 2026 WindFest.

Students can compete in two separate divisions, Woodwind or Brass. The following categories are awarded 5 prizes within each division: 6th-8th grade, 9th-10th grade, and 11th-12th grade, for a total of 30 winners.

YAC Guidelines and Rules

Prizes in the Woodwind and Brass Divisions are awarded as follows:

6th - 8th Grade:

1st place: $250 | 2nd: $200 | 3rd: $150 | 4th: $100 | 5th: $50

9th - 10th Grade category:

1st place: $250 | 2nd: $200 | 3rd: $150 | 4th: $100 | 5th: $50

11th - 12th Grade category:

1st place: $500 | 2nd: $400 | 3rd: $300 | 4th: $200 | 5th: $100

WindFest Schedule

    • 7:30AM - 9 AM: Competition Check-in

    • 8:10AM - 9 AM: 6-8th Grade WW & BR Competition

    • 9:10 AM - 10AM: 9-10th Grade WW & 9-12th Grade BR Competition

    • 10:10 AM - 11AM: 11-12th Grade WW Competition

      After competing, students will follow the WindFest general participant schedule.

      Schedule is subject to change.

  • 8:00–11:00 AM: Young Artist Competition categories
    9:15–9:45 AM: Student Session I, Warm-Up Time
    9:55–11:10 AM: Chamber Rehearsal #1
    11:15 AM–12:15 PM: Student Session II, Instrument-Specific Classes
    12:20–12:50 PM: Lunch and Announcement of Winners
    1:00–1:45 PM: Q&A Sessions (SEIBA/All-State Audition Prep & Careers in Music/College Auditions)
    1:55–3:10 PM: Chamber Rehearsal #2
    3:15–3:45 PM: Break
    3:45–4:45 PM: Winners Recital (all students attend)
    5:00–6:15 PM: Final Chamber Concert

  • 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM