The 52nd annual Indiana All-State Bands’ weekend at Purdue University will culminate with a grand finale concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 11, in Elliott Hall of Music. Admission is free.

Activities for 170 of the state’s top high school musicians begin Friday, March 9. Each student attending the All-State Bands weekend earned the honor by participating in a highly competitive audition held early in January at nine centers across Indiana. Once student auditions were complete, a selection committee reviewed tape recordings from each center. Student participants for 2012 were selected from approximately 700 students who auditioned to take part in the weekend’s activities.

Lissa May, Associate Professor of Music Education at Indiana University, will direct the 84-piece Indiana All-State Band on the March 11 concert. May previously served as Director of Jazz Bands at Purdue in the early 1990’s. She started the Purdue Jazz Festival 23 years ago.

In addition to the regular Indiana All-State Band, there is a select Honor Band. Ray Cramer, Director of Bands Emeritus at Indiana University, will direct the 86-member Indiana All-State Honor Band.

All members will participate in a series of activities including seating auditions, sectionals, and full rehearsals from March 9 through March 11. The All-State Bands weekend is sponsored by the Indiana Bandmaster’s Association (IBA) and hosted by Purdue University Bands.