Honor Band & Strings Festival 2027
The Faith Baptist Bible College Honor Band & Strings Festival provides high school student musicians with an exceptional ensemble experience, bringing together students who share a common faith.
During this one-day festival, students will develop their musical skills through rehearsals and clinics. The festival will culminate in a concert featuring the Honor Band & Strings performing a diverse selection of outstanding music.
JEFF CRANFILL, GUEST CONDUCTOR
Jeff Cranfill is a conductor, composer, arranger, and orchestrator of music for orchestras, concert bands, choirs, instrumental solos and ensembles, a recording artist, and a published author in arranging and music education.
Jeff has been involved in music since learning to play as a child. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he earned his bachelors and masters degrees in music education from Georgia State University.
He became a Christian while in high school – as a result of being invited by a high school friend to come and play in the orchestra at his church!
Jeff is now serving as Orchestra Pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, having served previously at First Baptist Church in Snellville, Gerogia and Red Bank Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Prior to church instrumental ministry, Jeff taught band, chorus, and Bible classes in Christian schools for 13 years.
Auditions/Applications/Selection Process
Audition Deadline: Friday, January 29, 2027 by 11:59 PM
High school students are invited to apply for membership in the Honor Band & Strings.
Auditions will be reviewed by February 1, and accepted students will receive their music by email to prepare for the festival.
Selected students will be required to pay a $25 participation fee to help cover expenses such as meals and music. Payment will be available online or at check-in.
Audition materials must be submitted through the Audition Form. Submit one form per student. Late applications may be considered if openings remain in specific sections.
Music Teachers: You are welcome to complete the application on behalf of your students. To ensure accurate recordkeeping, each application must include the student’s name, email address, mailing address, and graduation year. Thank you for your help!
Audition Requirements
Woodwind and Brass students are asked to record the following:
- Selected portions of a prepared solo or etude (preferably showing contrasting styles),
- Chromatic scale (two octaves when possible).
Percussion auditions should include at least two of the following:
- Concert Snare Drum Etude or Solo
- Recommended collections include: Peters, Cirone, and Deléclus (demonstrate your ability to play snare drum)
- Keyboard (Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, or Glockenspiel; 2 or 4 mallet)
- Selected portions of a prepared solo or etude (demonstrate your ability to play mallets)
- Chromatic scale (two octaves)
Strings
- Selected portions of a prepared solo or etude (preferably showing contrasting styles),
- Scale of Choice (three octaves preferable).
