NDSU Challey School of Music, Sheyenne High School team up to host largest Raging Red Band Festival to date

After record-breaking participation at the Raging Red Band Festival in 2025, the NDSU Challey School of Music is partnering with Sheyenne High School to host the largest-ever festival yet in 2026. All performances are free and open to the public.

Over 2,000 students in 52 bands from across the region are slated to perform in NDSU Festival Concert Hall on Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4, and at Sheyenne High School in West Fargo on Thursday, March 5.

In addition to performing at the festival, all participating bands will attend clinic sessions from nationally recognized adjudicators and NDSU faculty. They’ll also enjoy a special performance by NDSU instrumental ensembles, with the NDSU Wind Symphony performing at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the NDSU Jazz Ensemble at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday.

Gold, silver and bronze awards, as well as Division Winners and Overall Winners will be presented at an award ceremony at 5 p.m. each day.

This year’s adjudicators include:

• Christopher M. Cicconi – Director of Bands and Professor of Wind Conducting at James Madison University
• Dick Clardy – Director of Instrumental Music at Fort Worth Independent School District
• Teresa J. Elliott – Clarinet Instructor at the University of Tennesee at Chattanooga
• Kenneth Ozzello – Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of Alabama

The Raging Red Band Festival is supported in part by Eckroth Music, Schmitt Music, Popplers Music, the North Dakota National Guard and the NDSU Challey School of Music. A complete schedule for the 2026 Raging Red Band Festival is available on the NDSU Challey School of Music’s website.

For more information, please contact Festival Manager John Warren at john.warren.ndwoodturner@gmail.com or 701-220-6259.