PERCY GRAINGER
INVITATIONAL
MARCH 12-13, 2027
About the Festival
The annual Percy Grainger Invitational will feature five outstanding instrumental ensembles conducting standalone performances of Percy Grainger literature in an afternoon matinée performance in Chicago’s Historic Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center on March 13, 2027. In addition to the performance, each ensemble will have a private clinic with Dr. Mallory Thompson, Director of Bands Emeritus at Northwestern University.
All ensemble selections are made through Music Celebrations, and every effort will be made to ensure that each ensemble’s program will not overlap onto one another.
Ensembles will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve, rolling basis. Early applicants are given preference and priority.
Clinician - Dr. Mallory Thompson
Dr. Mallory Thompson is the Director of Bands Emeritus at Northwestern University.
Orchestra Hall
Home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center will serve as the venue for the Festival finale performance. Learn more about the history below
Media Gallery
Watch video highlights from past festival performances and view a gallery of images featuring ensembles as they perform on stage at Orchestra Hall and tour Chicago.
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The Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival Performance in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center was something that none of us will ever forget. The trip was a highlight of my 35 year teaching career. The students commented that this trip would be something they would always remember and cherish. I have never seen so many smiling faces as I did throughout the trip. The MCI team I worked with was very accommodating and professional in every way. Our stay [at the Palmer House Hilton] could not have been better! Everything about the trip could not have been better!
Dr. Steven Barnett
Director of Bands at Marshall University