Introducing the
Flathead Valley Honor Band
Are you a high school band student who loves music?
Are you a leader in your program - both as a player, and as a hard worker?
Do you look forward to making music every day, and thrive when you get a challenging piece of music?
This opportunity is for you!
The Flathead Valley Honor Band is modeled after programs in several other states that provides an opportunity for students between normal band participation and All-State. As All-State bands have a very limited number of spots, lots of great high school musicians are excluded. This is a chance for those students to build leadership and musical skills while performing with other amazing musicians from around Northwest Montana. Frequently Asked Questions
About the Honor Band program
Who: Exceptional high school band members from Northwest Montana and beyond are encouraged to apply!
What: Here’s how this thing works!
Interested students are encouraged to submit an application (information below!) - DUE BY OCTOBER 2nd!
Applicants will be notified in early November of their acceptance status.
Students accepted to the honor band will receive music by late November - start practicing!
Read the “When” below for the dates for accepted students!
When: There are a few important dates -
October 2nd - applications due
December 6th (Sunday), 3-7PM - mandatory rehearsal for accepted students
January 10th (Sunday), 3-7PM - mandatory rehearsal for accepted students
January 15th (Friday), 4-9PM - Honor Band festival, day one (@ Glacier High School)
January 16th (Saturday), 9AM-4PM - Honor Band festival, day two (@ Glacier High School)
January 16th (Saturday), 7PM - Honor Band concert! (@ Glacier High School)
Where: Rehearsal location TBD; festival (Jan. 15-16) will occur at Glacier High School
How do I apply?
The application consists of two parts:
Part one: Audition video! The audition consists of an etude and a chromatic scale.
ETUDE: Pick one of the etudes provided in your instrument folder. Percussion does not have two options.
CHROMATIC SCALE: play whatever range is comfortable! You may play more or less than what is written for the chromatic.
Use this link to find your student's specific instrument materials.
Once you’ve recorded the audition video, choose one the following:
1. Upload the video to YouTube. The video does not need to be public. Have the link ready to paste into the application form (below).
2. Email your video to auditions@beargrassperformingarts.org. In the email, please include your student's first/last name.
Part two: Fill out the application and upload your video! Application form link
What is the cost of participation?
The cost of participation will be $150. Bear Grass Performing Arts maintains a commitment to eliminating finance as a barrier to participation. We have generous donors who have helped build a scholarship fund to offset any tuition hardships. Please contact info@beargrassperformingarts.org for more information.
Are their scholarships available?
Yes! Our vision is that no student interested in participating should be prevented from participating because of financial need. Students and families in need of financial assistance should reach out to info@beargrassperformingarts.com for more information.
Am I good enough to make it?
Talk with your band director about this experience! They will have great advice as to whether or not you should apply (but we think you should!)
What age of students are able to participate in the Flathead Valley Honor Band?
This ensemble is geared towards high school band students. Exceptional 8th grade students may be considered.
Meet the Team
Dr. Scott Jones
Scott A. Jones is professor of music, associate director of Bands, and director of the Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Center for Integrated Arts and Enterprise at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. His primary teaching responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band and leading the undergraduate conducting curriculum. Jones is the founding director of the Youth Summer Music Programs at Ohio State which, during his decade of leadership, connected several thousand school-age students from across the country with the School of Music, its faculty, and university.
A deeply collaborative musician and educator, interdisciplinary partnerships frequent Jones’ teaching and creative work. Collaborative partners with ensembles under his direction have included visual artists, composers, folk artists, the literary arts, digital media, dancers, and choral ensembles among others. One such project in 2019 joined the Ohio State Office of Diversity and Inclusion, executive producers of the documentary Emanuel, American composer James Stephenson, and the musicians of the Ohio State Symphonic Band in a performance of Stephenson’s composition there are no words. The composition honors the victims of the shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC in 2015.
An ardent supporter of living composers, Jones has commissioned more than 40 new compositions for wind band and chamber winds. A firm believer in creating opportunities for students to interact with great artists of our time, the musicians under Jones’ leadership have also collaborated with Libby Larsen, Frederick Fennell, Eiji Oue, Aaron Jay Kernis, Frank Battisti, Seiji Ozawa, Augusta Read Thomas, Eddie Daniels, The Empire Brass Quintet, the Imani Winds, The American Brass Quintet and a host of other distinguished musical figures.
Jones was honored with an Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching at Ohio State in 2015, and was recipient of the Ohio State School of Music Distinguished Teaching Award in both 2014 and 2020. His guest conducting engagements regularly include All-State Bands and Honor Bands, as well as international engagements throughout Asia.
Festival Conductor
Matt King
Matthew King joined Whitefish High School as Director of Bands in 2020 and returned home to the Flathead Valley. Before joining the Bulldog music staff, Mr. King taught a large high school band program in Colorado Springs for three years. In 2016, he completed the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting at The Ohio State University (go bucks!), where he worked as a Graduate Assistant Director of the Ohio State Marching Band, which included conducting at the National Championship and a trip to London in order to perform at an NFL game. Prior to graduate study, Mr. King garnered five years of teaching experience as Director of Bands at Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell, MT. Matthew also conducts the Concert Band at Flathead Lake Music Camp, serves as Assistant Director of the Flathead Valley Community Band, and is an active tuba player. He has performed with the Stillwater Brass Quintet, Glacier Symphony, Bavarian Echoes Polka Band, Don Lawrence Orchestra, Ohio State Wind Symphony, and UMass Wind Ensemble, among other groups. Matthew received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Anderson University (IN), where he met Elenie, his wonderful wife of 17 years. Together they have a 2-year-old daughter, Phoebe, and energetic goldendoodle Buckeye. Outside of music, Mr. King enjoys craft coffee, all variety of Ohio State and Cleveland sports, rugby, woodworking, hiking, skiing, traveling, and appreciating all things beautiful.
Artistic Director