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Middle School Bandfest and Honor Band Concert to be Held at Central College

by Mary Pautsch

Pella, IA (10/05/2026) — The Central College Music Program is proud to host the Middle School Bandfest on campus, which will culminate in a concert with Central music students and Bandfest participants.

The honor band concert will be held in Douwstra Auditorium inside Central Hall at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. The event is free and open to the public.

Central's Symphonic Wind Ensemble is performing first, followed by the honor band. Both are under the direction of Brad Lampe, Central's director of bands, who organized this year's Bandfest.

Over 200 seventh and eighth grade musicians across 24 schools were nominated by their band directors for the group, with 96 ultimately selected to perform. They get to come to campus for a day to rehearse the concert pieces with Lampe and see what college life is like alongside Central students.

"It will be a very fun and educational day," Lampe says. "It's impressive to see what these young musicians can do after just one full day of practice. We hope it inspires them keep playing for years to come, and maybe even bring their talents back to Central one day."

Tickets are not required for the concert. Free will donations will be accepted at the door.

Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Ranked the No. 2 Best Value College in Iowa by Niche.com, Central offers a learning environment with supportive educators committed to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

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Student plays the French horn

Central College

Jeanette Budding (641) 628-5282, buddingj@central.edu

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