Honor Band Nominations Open November 1

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7th ANNUAL ATHENA HONOR BAND

ALL-GIRLS VIRTUAL HONOR BAND 2027

Nomination portal opens November 1, 2026

The only honor band of its kind, the Athena Honor Band has offered a unique opportunity for middle school, high school, and college musicians to learn alongside master music educators, expanding access to a high-level honor ensemble experience.


Students must be nominated by their band directors or private instructors and will engage in interactive master classes, full band rehearsals, mentorship sessions, and our signature Athena empowerment seminars. 


ATHENA HONOR BAND FUN FACTS:

  • Musicians from 2 countries, 37 states, and the Marshall Islands have participated
  • 100+ middle and high school bands have been represented
  • 85+ college students have served as Muse mentors

Eligibility

Middle and high school-aged girls in grades 7-12 are eligible to be nominated by their directors for the Athena Honor Band experience. Students should be a second-year musician or higher (completed at least one year of band or private lessons). 


Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A VIRTUAL HONOR BAND?

Live Sessions

Virtual Concert

Virtual Concert

Participate in master classes and full honor band sessions with professional women who are successful musicians and conductors throughout North America.


Past attendees have also connected with talented composers such as Carol Brittin Chambers and Cait Nishimura!


Virtual Concert

Virtual Concert

Virtual Concert

Collaborate with young musicians everywhere, led by our Athena Honor Band Conductors, to create recorded performance to be premiered online this spring. The furthest distance between two students at the 2026 Athena Honor Band was over 4000 miles! 

Mentoring

Virtual Concert

Mentoring

Connect with college-aged and professional musicians who share your passion for making music. Participate in our signature Athena empowerment sessions with trusted Athena Music and Leadership faculty. Develop leadership skills through mentor/mentee opportunities.

2027 ACCEPTED MUSICIAN INFORMATION

How can I be nominated for the Athena Honor Band?

  • Your band director or private teacher must complete the online nomination form that will be available on November 1, 2026. Be sure to let them know you are interested!

When will I know if I was accepted to the 2027 Athena Honor Band?

  • Notifications will be sent on or before January 1, 2027 to the email address provided by the nominating teacher.

I've been accepted. How do I register to participate?

  • An official registration link will be sent via email to all accepted musicians and is not available on this site. 
  • Registration fee is $99/student. 
  • Required forms and fee must be submitted online by Friday, January 15, 2027 (includes instruction, final video production, exclusive honor band shirt, shipping, and administrative costs). 

When will the 2027 Athena Honor Band meet?

  • January 31 - Live Session #1
  • February 7 - Live Session #2
  • February 14 - 30-minute Muse Chat Session (Optional)
  • February 21 - Live Session #3
  • February 28 - Live Session #4
  • March (Date TBD) - Online Video Premiere of the Athena Honor Band!


All Live Sessions are at 7pm-8:30pm ET/ 4pm to 5:30pm PT. A link will be sent.

Although live participation is expected each week, we understand that a musician may need to miss a session due to extreme circumstances.

My school is sponsoring my participation fee. Do I still need to complete the registration form?

  • YES! Parents must register students via the emailed link that will be available once acceptances are made. Complete all forms except the payment. 
  • Contact your band director to be sure they request an invoice for your participation.

School Sponsorship Information

Are you a director or company sponsoring one or more students' participation fee? 

Request an invoice here. 


**Parents should not complete this form. 

Parents must register students via the emailed link available once acceptances are available.

REQUEST AN INVOICE

Connect with Composers

Athena Honor Band musicians have the honor of meeting and chatting with composers such as Carol Brittin Chambers, Cait Nishimura, Christina Huss, and Laura Estes! The honor musicians will perform their music for the virtual concert performance.

Learn from World-Class Musicians & Leaders

Current and past conductors and artist faculty members include:


  • Dr. Zandra Bell-McRoy, Georgia College & State University
  • Dr. Catharine Bushman, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota
  • Erin Cole Steele,  Conn Selmer Division of Education, Arizona
  • Suzanne Daniel, Chowan University, North Carolina
  • Sarah Dietrich, Freelance Musician, Georgia
  • Katherine Dobson, Freelance Musician, Georgia
  • Emma Fell, University of Notre Dame, Indiana
  • Dr. Micki Ferguson, Pennsylvania State University
  • Meredith Fuller, Doctoral Student, Peabody Institute at the Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
  • Emma Haley, Northwestern Middle School, Louisiana
  • Joycelyn Jackson, Michelle Obama STEM Elementary Academy, Georgia
  • Chelsea Kanicsar, Pittsburg State University, Kansas
  • Dr. Jacquelyn Lankford, Freelance Musician, California
  • Dr. Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin, Pennsylvania State University 
  • Dr. Devan Moore, Florida State University
  • Dr. Cara Morantz, University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Hollie Pritchard, Reinhardt University, Georgia
  • Linda Pulley, Noe Middle School, Kentucky
  • Dr. Myra K. Rhoden, University of West Georgia
  • Ingrid Smith, Fife High School, Washington
  • Dr. Lia Snead, Hampton University, Virginia
  • Jasmine Pigott Thacker, Peabody Preparatory, Maryland
  • Jennifer Theisen-Gray, Colmer Middle School, Mississippi
  • Paula Williams, The Ron Clark Academy, Georgia

WHO PARTICIPATES?

Athena virtual program participants have connected and made friendships with young women throughout North America. 

WHY A VIRTUAL HONOR BAND?

SEE WHAT PREVIOUS HONOR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY!

"I would totally recommend it! I met so many other people and heard all types of perspectives! It was very inspiring, and empowering! :)"


"It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Everyone was so nice and I will never forget y’all!!!"


"I was pretty skeptical joining, but my band director insisted that I give it a try. I attended the very first session and I absolutely loved it!! I got to bond with girls from different states (and Canada, too, I believe), and I got to play songs outside of the school band! It's definitely a game changer and really helped me improve. I 100% recommend this to girls. It's empowering and you get to hang out with other beautiful ladies."


"This experience was both encouraging and empowering, I enjoyed every second of this Band. Everyone was a wonderful positive influence and I really will never forget this."


"Athena was a really great experience for me. I really loved it.  I met a lot of new people and made new friends.  Everyone I met was so helpful and so kind. The music was fun to record. The open mic night was amazing because we could hear everyone play their instruments and show everyone's talent.  I would definitely join Athena again."


"When I attended my first Athena meeting, I was super nervous and I wasn't sure what it would be like. By the end, I couldn't wait to join the sessions and see what I would learn each time. I loved getting to spend time with my Muse and I learned so much from her! I am so glad that I got to be a part of this amazing experience!"


"My experience at Athena was truly incredible. The sessions of leadership and empowerment were inspirational, and the clinic teachers for each instrument were so kind and helpful! I would definitely come back and do this again."

 

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