Waukegan Public Schools’  Middle School Music Festival is back! The popular event will be hosted Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10 at the Genesee Theatre in downtown Waukegan. 

This year marks the first festival since 2019. As in past years, the event will feature performances by band, choir, orchestra and mariachi students from all five Waukegan middle schools. Nearly 800 student musicians will perform on the Genesee stage. The performances are free and open to the public. 

Day 1 on Tuesday, May 9 will feature separate performances by the District’s 6th, 7th and 8th grade band students, as well as sets by sixth, seventh and eighth grade orchestra students. The night begins at 6 p.m. 

On Wednesday, May 10, Day 2 will feature performances by middle school festival choirs and mariachi groups. Day two begins at 6:30 p.m. 

The Festival marks the first time many of the students will perform as one. While each school has been rehearsing together in recent weeks, the groups will combine for their first rehearsal just hours before taking the stage.

The Middle School Music festival is sponsored by Bravo Waukegan and Uline.