BOCH Festival

UNO BOCH Festival - Bands, String Orchestra

UNO's School of Music created the BOCH Festival in 2007. While most institutions hold separate honors events for each ensemble, the BOCH Festival combines these groups to host an event that brings more than 300 high school students from across Nebraska and the Midwest to work with nationally renowned clinicians. This unique experience will culminate in a performance at the Strauss Performing Arts Center on the Dodge campus of UNO.

Though a rigorous audition process, high school musicians from across Nebraska and surrounding states are selected to come together and perform with other musicians at one of Omaha’s premiere performance venues. Students have the opportunity to work with UNO Music faculty and students as well as guest clinicians in both masterclass and rehearsal settings. It is a fun-filled weekend of music making and learning with other talented musicians.

2026 BOCH Festival Important Documents

1. 2026 BOCH Festival Announcement Letter
2. Click here to apply for the 2026 BOCH Festival (forthcoming)
3. 2026 BOCH Festival Schedule (forthcoming)

Results & Participation Information: posted below in mid-December

1. 2026 BOCH Festival Final Rosters: Wind Ensemble | Honor Band | String Orchestra
2. 2026 BOCH Festival Participant & Director Acceptance Letter
3. 2026 BOCH Festival Parking Information
4. 2026 BOCH Festival Payment Portal

Chair Placement Information and/or PDFs of repertoire (when possible): posted below around Jan. 1

1. String Orchestra
   1. Principal Audition Excerpts
   2. PDFs of Repertoire, when possible
2. Wind Ensemble - Chair Placement Audition Excerpts
   1. Click here for all excerpts
3. Honor Band - Piccolo Audition Excerpts
   1. Click here for excerpt

Finale Concerts Information

• There is no cost to attend any of the BOCH finale concerts on Saturday.
• The finale concert will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW4kEYT6bweImR7n1d7RdgQ.

Parking Information

• University visitor parking information linked here for your convenience
• Parking maps. All BOCH Festival events will take place on the Dodge Campus.

Friday, 1/30

• Pending spot availability, buses may park in the Northwest portion of Lot 5 adjacent to Mammel Hall. Drivers may shuttle to/from campus using the free campus shuttle. See linked shuttle webpage for details.
  • Buses may utilize the cutaway along University Drive North, just north of the Strauss Performing Arts Center, for pick-up and drop-off. Long-term parking in this area is not permitted. Buses are not permitted to park anywhere on Dodge Campus on Friday.
• Festival participants who will not be bussed may pay for parking in the East or West Garage on campus.
• For the 6:30pm concert, parking on campus will open up to the public at 5:00pm, including the CEC parking (Lots D/E next to Strauss).

Saturday, 1/31

• Open parking on campus all day/evening
• Excluding the cutaway, buses may park anywhere on Saturday of the festival. The most convenient place would be CEC (Lots D/E next to Strauss) or Lot F (just a few buildings west of Strauss)

Bands

Students who audition for the BOCH Festival Bands will be placed in one of our two ensembles, the Wind Ensemble or Honor Band. Students will get to work with UNO faculty and attend rehearsals, masterclasses, and concerts during the festival.

The Wind Ensemble conductor for 2026 will be Dr. Joshua Kearney, UNO Director of Bands.

The Honor Band conductor for 2026 will be Prof. Peter Wilger, Director of the UNO University Band.

String Orchestra

String students throughout the Midwest participate yearly in the UNO BOCH String Orchestra. These students have the opportunity to work with UNO faculty and guest clinicians to perform great repertoire, as well as attend concerts and masterclasses throughout the weekend.

The String Orchestra conductor for 2026 will be Dr. Matthew Brooks, Director of Orchestral Activities in Music & Medicine.