The 36th annual ONU Spring Band Festival is set for 4 p.m., Sunday, April 29, at The Freed Center. 

For 36 years, some of the finest high school musicians in the state of Ohio have come to Ohio Northern for the Spring Band Festival. High school musicians and members of the ONU Symphonic Band will again work with an internationally renowned composer/conductor to create an afternoon of exciting music.

Nationally renowned composer, Robert Sheldon will serve as guest conductor. Sheldon is the Concert Band Editor for Alfred Music Publishing. The American School Band Directors Association has honored him with the Volkwein Award for composition and the Stanbury Award for teaching, and the International Assembly of Phi Beta Mu honored him with the International Outstanding Bandmaster Award.

He has also been a 25-time recipient of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher's Standard Award for his compositions in the concert band and orchestral repertoire.

His compositions have been recorded and released on compact discs including, Images: The Music of Robert Sheldon, and Infinite Horizons: The Music of Robert Sheldon, as well as numerous other recordings. Mr. Sheldon has been the topic of articles published in The Instrumentalist, Teaching Music and School Band and Orchestra Magazine, and is one of eleven American wind band composers featured in Volume I of Composers on Composing Music for Band.

On Sunday April 29th, at 4:00 p.m., the “Northern Winds” will present their spring program. The 75 member ensemble will perform an exciting concert which features the “Poet And Peasant Overture” by Franz Von Suppe and “Pride of the Grenadiers” by guest conductor, Robert Sheldon. The program also includes “Athletic Festival March” by Serge Prokofieff, conducted by Samantha Riedlinger.

The highlight of the Sunday Spring Band Festival Program is the All Ohio Honors Band which features more than 120 gifted instrumentalists from across  Ticket information may be obtained by calling the Freed Center Box Office (419) 772-1900 from noon until 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday and 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Saturday.

Adults $15; Seniors $12; Non-ONU Students $12; Children $9