Lee University’s School of Music will host the 2025 Honor Band Weekend November 13-15, bringing together over 160 talented high school musicians from 35 high schools across four states. The event will culminate in a performance on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. in the Conn Center.   
 
The Honor Band program offers high school students the chance to enhance their musical skills under the guidance of experienced clinicians. On the first day, students will audition and be placed in either the Navy Honor Band or the Maroon Honor Band. Both ensembles will showcase their talents in the Saturday performance featuring selections such as “Awakening Hills” by Richard Saucedo, “Moscow, 1941” by Brian Balmages, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Randall Standridge, “Variations On a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance, and “Homage: Three Tapestries” by David Holsinger.  
 
“One of the reasons I love this time of year is because of the excitement of hosting the Lee Honor Band,” said Dr. Amy Humberd, Honor Band chair. “We are especially thrilled that this year’s event will be the biggest yet with over 160 talented students coming from all over. It is a joy and privilege to work with so many wonderful colleagues and students in the School of Music to create this opportunity for high school musicians.” 
 
Dr. Josh Pace, director of bands and assistant professor of music education at Lee, and Donald Benton, assistant principal of Cleveland High School, will serve as clinicians for this year’s Honor Band.   
 
“This will be my second year as one of the Lee Honor Band Clinicians, and it’s going to be a fantastic weekend,” said Pace. “These musicians don’t practice the music before they get to us, so they work hard for a day and a half, learning 4-5 pieces, and putting on a fantastic concert the next day. If that’s not enough, we’ve also raised the bar by selecting harder music this year for both ensembles. I’m very excited to see the students rise to the challenge.” 
 
Pace joined the School of Music faculty in the fall of 2024 and serves as the director of bands and assistant professor of music education. Before coming to Lee, he served as the band and orchestra director at Omaha Northwest High School and a doctoral conducting associate at the University of Florida. 

Benton formerly served as the president of the East Tennessee State Band & Orchestra Association and the Walker Valley High School band director. He was the recipient of the 2019 Department Alumnus of the Year Award for the School of Music and is welcomed back for his first year with Honor Band. 
The Honor Band participants were selected based on nominations and recommendations from their high school band directors. This annual event allows them to work closely with professional musicians and conductors, furthering their musical development and strengthening their appreciation for ensemble performance. 
 
In addition to the Honor Band performances, there will be a showcase concert featuring Lee student instrumental ensembles on Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Conn Center.   
 
Both concerts are free, non-ticketed, and open to the public.  
 
For more information about Honor Band, contact Humberd at [email protected] or visit lee.music/honor-band/. 
 
For more information about the performance, contact the School of Music at [email protected] or call (423) 614-8240.