Doors open at 4:30 p.m. The event starts at 5 p.m.

Abby Borene, St. Edmond’s band director for grades 5-12, said the day of music and celebration is an opportunity to not only recognize the best and brightest among aspiring performers at the middle school level but also honor King — Fort Dodge’s iconic bandmaster and composer.

“Karl King built an incredible musical foundation, specifically in instrumental ensembles,” Borene said. “This is a day of unique rehearsals, with guest conductors from Iowa and the surrounding states leading selected middle school students.

“It provides students with the experience of meeting new people, performing challenging music, and learning in new ways.”

Both St. Edmond and Fort Dodge middle school students will be participating, as well as area schools Humboldt, Southeast Valley, Manson Northwest Webster, Webster City, Pocahontas Area, Eagle Grove, Bishop Garrigan, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, West Bend-Mallard, East Sac County, Newell-Fonda and North Union. Students from AGWSR, Aplington-Parkersburg, BCLUW, Forest City, Lake Mills, North Butler and West Hancock round out the lineup.

Guest conductors include Conner Tipping of Ames; Chris Crandell of Johnston; and Moriah Jensen of Apple Valley, Minnesota.

Alex Trevino, a local musician and St. Edmond graduate, has been invited to perform for the students at 2:30 p.m.

“The Karl King Honor Band provides middle school students from across the state the opportunity to showcase their talents while honoring the legacy of Karl King,” St. Edmond Activities Director David Flattery said. “The preparation for this event is extensive. We extend a huge thank you to our director of bands, Ms. Abby Borene; our music boosters; the guest conductors; and all of the volunteers who make this event possible.”

Tickets are $5 at the door. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted free of charge.

“We are proud to host this honor band where area students can showcase their musicianship,” said Julie Winninger, a member of the St. Edmond Music Booster Club. “The students practice many hours to prepare for this day, and have a blast rehearsing and hearing all the parts come together.

“It’s a great way to remember Karl King and everything he did for the band community.”

Karl King is best known as the composer of “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite,” which was published in 1913. He once conducted the Barnum and Bailey Band at Madison Square Garden in New York City, which he considered his crowning achievement.

King made Fort Dodge his home for more than five decades after moving here in 1920 at the age of 29. He served as conductor of the Fort Dodge Municipal Band for 51 years.

King published more than 300 compositions between 1910 and 1962. The Fort Dodge Bandshell was named in his honor in 1976 — five years after his death.

Saturday’s event is sponsored by the St. Edmond Catholic School Music Boosters. A live stream of the concert will be available, with the link on the school’s Facebook page or by searching “St. Edmond High School” at www.fan.hudl.com.