John Philip Sousa National Honor Band 2026
The John Philip Sousa Foundation is proud to present the 16th biannual edition of the John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band, showcasing some of the highest achieving young musicians the United States has to offer.
The festival will take place at Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center in Boxborough, MA. The final performance will be the last day at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA.
Additionally, the Boxboro Regency Hotel would like to extend to families a special room discount to stay at the hotel during the Festival. They have just created and shared this offer with us to pass along. Below are instructions on how to book a room using this deal.
Festival Dates
The 2026 John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band will take place July 12th - 16th, 2026. Our performance will be on the evening of July 15th, in Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
A tour of Boston
Faneuil Hall
Old Ironsides
USS Constitution
The Freedom Trail
2026 schedule
***Temporary festival schedule subject to change
Sunday, July 12th (Day 1)
10:00am-1:00pm - Registration at Boxboro Regency (Boxboro, MA)
11:00am - Final shuttle from Airport
1:00pm - Opening Meeting
1:30pm - Lunch - Students and Staff
2:30pm - First Rehearsal
6:00pm - Dinner
7:00pm - Key Distribution and Room Check-In
7:30pm - Evening Rehearsal
10:30pm - Daily Wrap Up
11:00 pm - Room Checks
Monday, July 13th (Day 2)
7:00am - Wake-up Call
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Morning Rehearsal
12:00pm – Lunch
1:00pm - Afternoon Rehearsal
2:00pm -Afternoon Rehearsal
6:00pm - Dinner
7:00pm - Evening Rehearsal
10:30pm - Room Checks
Tuesday, July 14th (Day 3)
6:30am - Wake-up Call
7:30am - Breakfast
8:30am - Morning Rehearsal
12:00pm – Lunch
1:00pm - Half Day Excursion in Boston
Dinner in Boston
11:00 - Room Checks
Wednesday, July 15th (Day 4) CONCERT DAY
7:00am - Wake-up Call
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Morning Rehearsal
11:30am – Instruction / Pack Up
12:00 - Lunch / Change into Concert Dress
1:30pm – Travel to Mechanics Hall
3:00pm - Dress Rehearsal
5:00pm – Dinner (in Washburn Hall)
6:00pm - Warm Up / Tune (in Washburn Hall)
7:00pm – Concert at Mechanics Hall
9:00pm - Reload Equipment
9:15pm - Travel to Hotel
10:30pm - Curfew/Room Checks
Thursday, July 16th (Last Day)
7:00am - Wake-up Call
8:00am - Breakfast at Hotel
9:00am - Room checkout/shuttles to Logan International Airport