WELCOME TO NORTHERN COLORADO HONOR BANDS

Doctor Stephen G. Peterson - Wind Symphony
Dr. Stephen G. Peterson was appointed Director of Bands at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2015. As Director of Bands, where he conducted the Wind Symphony, lead the graduate wind conducting program, taught courses in wind literature, and guided all aspects of one of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most storied band programs. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Illinois he served as Director of Bands at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, for seventeen years. From 1988-1998 he served as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Peterson was also conductor of the renowned Northshore Concert Band. He held positions as Associate and Interim Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and has several years of successful teaching experience in the public schools in Arizona.
Dr. Peterson maintains a busy schedule as a conductor and clinician, and as such, has appeared on four continents and in forty-two states. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the Illinois Music Educators Association, and has been honored with membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He is also member of Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He is past president of the College Band Directors National Association.
Dr. Peterson was the first to receive the Doctor of Music degree in wind conducting from Northwestern University and earned Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University. In 2012 he was awarded the prestigious Ithaca College Faculty Excellence Award, recognizing his contributions to Ithaca College. His ensembles have appeared before national conventions of the American Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, the American School Band Directors Association, at Orchestra Hall with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and at Lincoln Center.
Doctor Elizabeth Peterson - Symphonic Band Director
Dr. Elizabeth Peterson, clinical professor of music, and associate director of bands, joined the Illinois faculty in the fall of 2015. She conducted the Illinois Wind Orchestra, served as the placement coordinator for student teachers, and taught courses in instrumental conducting. Prior to her appointment at the University of Illinois, Dr. Peterson was a tenured professor of music education at the Ithaca College School of Music. During the seventeen years she spent at Ithaca College, she conducted numerous ensembles including the Symphonic Band, Brass Choir and All-Campus Band. She taught courses in conducting, undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, and supervised student teachers. Dr. Peterson was the co-conductor of the Ithaca Concert Band (community band) for fifteen years. Her current research focuses on the experiences of first-year teachers.
Dr. Peterson is active as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and school music consultant in the United States and Canada. She presents clinics at the local, state and national levels in the field of music education. Dr. Peterson’s two books, The Music Teachers First Year: Tales of Challenge Joy and Triumph, and The Music Teacher’s Later Years: Reflection with Wisdom are both published by Meredith Music.
Dr. Peterson received a Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Literature, Science and Arts degree from the University of Michigan where she studied trumpet with Armando Ghitalla. She received a Master of Music in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from Northwestern University, where she studied trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz, and performed in the North Shore Community Band under the direction of John P. Paynter. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory. 
Prior to her appointment at Ithaca College, Dr. Peterson was an arts administrator and director of bands in the public schools of Ohio and Illinois. She holds a number of professional memberships including the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Mu Phi Epsilon, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Dr. Peterson is a member of the American Bandmasters Association and the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors.
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STEP 1: Apply Online Here! (Due by Nov 18th)

STEP 2: Record & submit your 
audition to your Band Director! (NoCo Audition Recording Instructions)

Step 3: Submit $15 Audition Fee (payable to your school band) to your Band Director!
2022-23 Schedule
November 1 -
*Registration Opens

November 18 -
*Registration Deadline
*Audition recordings due to your Band Director
*Directors submit via Dropbox

Thursday, 1/12/23
5:00-8:00p - Sectional and Master Class with University Clinicians

Friday, 1/20/23
5:00-9:00p - Rehearsals with our guest directors.  Dinner provided
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Saturday, 1/21/23
8:00am-4:00pm - Rehearsals with our guest directors, lunch break (on your own), dress rehearsals
4:00pm - final performances