Festival of Bands
Coe College Festival of Bands 2026
Traditionally held each year in April, Coe's Festival of Bands brings a major guest conductor to campus to assist in the celebration of the many facets of band music.
Adrian Sims
Guest Conductor/Composer
Festival of Bands Gala Concert:
Coe College Concert Band
Free and open to the public. No tickets required.
William S. Carson, D.M.A.
Director of Bands
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA
Also featured at this concert - new music by two alumni band members -
Duroje Gwamna '10 and William Pollock '19.
Featured Guest Concert:
DIVA Jazz Orchestra
Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Tickets available at coeboxoffice.ludus.com
Additional Festival Concerts:
New Horizons Band & Collins Concert Band
Alan Lawrence & Jim Jezek, conductors
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
FREE, No Tickets Required
Kirkwood Concert Band & Coe College Jazz Band
Dr. Chris Navarrete & Dr. Steve Shanley, conductors
Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
FREE, No Tickets Required
Coe College Elementary Honor Band
Kim Benson & Adrian Sims, conductors
Saturday, April 18, 3:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Tickets available at coeboxoffice.ludus.com
Coe College Junior & Senior Honor Bands
Adrian Sims, Dr. William S Carson & Dr. Steve Shanley, conductors
Sunday, April 19, 4:00 pm
Sinclair Auditorium
Tickets available at coeboxoffice.ludus.com
Questions about the Festival? Send us an email
The Coe College Festival of Bands, under the administration of Dr. Carson, was established in 1994 and has featured a number of respected composers and conductors:
- 2025: Patrick Roszell, conductor/composer
- 2024: Carol Brittin Chambers, conductor/composer, Rose Bishop, flute, Alan Theisen, guest composer
- 2023: Quincy Hilliard, conductor/composer, Andy Harris, horn
- 2022: James Swearingen, conductor/composer, Rose Bishop, flute
- 2020 and 2021: No Festival due to Covid
- 2019: Brian Balmages, conductor/composer, Joe Burgstaller, Arizona State University, trumpet soloist
- 2018: Ed Huckeby, Northeastern State University (Oklahoma), conductor/composer, Eugene Rousseau, saxophone soloist
- 2017: Robert W. Smith, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer, Michael J. Smith, guest conductor/percussionist/vocalist
- 2016: David Shaffer, Miami University, conductor/composer
- 2015: Robert Sheldon, Alfred Music, conductor/composer
- 2014: Matt Conaway, Purdue University, conductor/composer, Steve Shanley (cell phone soloist), Dr. Carson (bass clarinet soloist), Wes Anderson (tuba soloist) and Coe's President David McInally (electric guitar)
- 2013: David Shaffer, Miami University, conductor/composer, Ted Vives, conductor/arranger
- 2012: Larry Neeck, Capital University, conductor/composer, Erica Coutsouridis, flute
- 2011: James Swearingen, Capital University, conductor/composer, Erica Coutsouridis, flute
- 2010: Len Orcino, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer
- 2009: Robert W. Smith, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer
- 2008: Rob Grice, Barnhouse publications, conductor/composer
- 2007: James Swearingen, Capital University, conductor/composer
- 2006: Ed Huckeby, Northeastern State University (Oklahoma), conductor/composer
- 2005: David Holsinger, Lee University, conductor/composer, David Shaffer, Miami University, conductor/composer
- 2004: Barry Kopetz, Capital University, conductor/composer
- 2003: Quincy Hilliard, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, conductor/composer/narrator
- Fall 2001: Michael Daugherty, University of Michigan, conductor/composer
- Spring 2001: David Gillingham, Central Michigan University, conductor/composer
- 2000: Frank Ticheli, conductor/composer
- 1999: Alfred Reed, conductor/composer
- 1998: David Holsinger, conductor/composer
- 1997: Quincy Hilliard, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, conductor/composer
- 1996: Michael D. Hanes, Southern Illinois University, Jerry Owen, conductor/composer
- 1995: Richard Mayne, University of Colorado - Boulder
- 1994: Richard E. Strange, Arizona State University