Far East Honors Music Festival brings 150 musical students together
OKINAWA, JAPAN – The 2025 Far East Honors Music Festival brought musical students together to collaborate, create, and perform April 14-17, 2025, at Kadena High School.
This year’s event featured 150 military-connected students from all 12 DoDEA Pacific high schools in Guam, South Korea, mainland Japan and Okinawa. Nearly 300 students enrolled in band, choir, or strings classes submitted auditions for this year’s program.
“Far East Honors Music is one of our most selective academic events,” said Mr. Blake Sims, Far East Academic Events Coordinator. “Every year, the musical talent of our students shines brightly throughout this academic experience – from rehearsals to the closing concert featuring incredible ensemble performances.”
This year, Lt. Col. Joseph Hansen, Commander of the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, served as guest clinician. A former music teacher, he quickly built a rapport with student musicians and provided encouragement and support.
“Far East Honors Music was a success thanks to the dedication and efforts of our student participants, as well as support from our regional Fine Arts Instructional Systems Specialist Nathan McCoy, event director Melinda Ringgold, and ensemble leads Kayla Nash, Jenny Gaume, and Susanne Wall,” Sims said.
View this year’s Far East Honor Music Festival Concert:
