Federal Way
Public Schools
2026 Music Festival
Arts Foundation Federal Way presents
3rd Annual Federal Way Public Schools District Music Festival 2026
Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center
31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S, Federal Way, WA 98003
FWPS Celebrates Third Annual District Music Festival 2026
Federal Way Public Schools proudly hosted the Third Annual District Music Festival 2026 last week at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center. This two‑day celebration brought together the musical talents of 374 middle and high school students from across the district, showcasing performances from orchestra, choir, and band ensembles. The festival also featured distinguished guest conductors Alonso Brizuela, David Drassal, and the Boston Brass, who worked directly with students throughout the event.
A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Performance
On the day of their concert, students from every FWPS middle and high school gathered for full‑day rehearsals. These intensive sessions offered students a unique opportunity to learn from professional musicians and conductors. In the evening, students took the stage for a culminating performance that highlighted their growth, dedication, and musical artistry.
Inspiring Community Partnerships
Dr. Erika Rudnicki, FWPS Executive Director of Scholar Learning, Academic Programs, and Staff Development, shared the significance of the event:
“It was inspiring to witness not only the musicianship of our scholars, but also the collaboration among our music teachers and the powerful learning happening in the clinics. This event would not have been possible without our incredible partners—the Arts Foundation Federal Way, 4Culture, and the Federal Way Performing Arts Center—whose support helps keep the arts thriving in our community.”
Scholar Performers
About Our Guests
Boston Brass
Since 1986 Boston Brass has set out to establish a one-of-a-kind musical experience, featuring colorful classical arrangements, burning jazz standards, and the best of original brass repertoire. Music education is at the core of Boston Brass’s identity, and the quintet continues to conduct sessions around the world, including masterclasses and residencies at such prestigious institutions as the Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in Singapore. In conjunction with the Yamaha Corporation, the quintet engaged in a 2018 tour of major Chinese music conservatories, and in 2021 the members of Boston Brass were appointed to the International Artist Advisory Council to the College of Music at Mahidol University in Thailand. The Boston Brass have been featured as educators and performers at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the American Bandmaster Association Conference, American Band College, Western International Band Clinic, and at innumerable state music education conferences. After a long hiatus, 2022 finally saw the return of the Boston Brass Summer Intensive in its new home at North Dakota State University’s Challey School of Music (Boston Brass, 2023).
Guest Conductor, Alonso Brizuela
Director of the Tenor/Bass Choir, is currently the choir director at Lakes High School in Lakewood, WA. Mr. Brizuela holds a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University. A native of Tacoma and alumnus of TYC, Alonso is an active participant in the local music community; he sings in PLU Choral Union and adjudicates at Solo & Ensemble Contests, and Large Group Festivals around the region. He also is the current Tenor/Bass Repertoire and Resources Chair for the Northwest Division of the American Choral Directors Association and participates in many ACDA and NAfME events in the area.
Guest Conductor, David Drassal
Holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Central Washington University. Since moving to the Seattle area in 2007, Mr. Drassal has performed as a freelance violinist with several area orchestras and chamber groups, including the Federal Way Symphony and Sammamish Symphony, and is an active member of a local string quartet. Mr. Drassal also works as a clinician and adjudicator for orchestra and solo festivals across the state. Mr. Drassal currently teaches orchestra at Tyee Middle School in the Bellevue School District. Mr. Drassal joined BYSO in 2007 as a violin coach, became Cadet String Orchestra conductor in 2010, and became Premiere Orchestra conductor in 2013.
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule
