Wind Symphony

Four on-campus performances are given yearly, along with two three-day tours. Every third year, the Wind Symphony takes an extended tour - either domestic or international.
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"Ever since fourth grade, I've been in love with band—the camaraderie, the the thrill of making music with breath, lips and a hunk of metal, the rush of performance. In the past thirty years or so, the caliber of band music has risen dramatically, sparking a new term—wind symphony.  I invite you to join us in this ensemble on the cutting-edge of music. I still love band, and I think you will, too!"

- Ken Parsons

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Mabel Wood Hall 241, Noon - 12:50 p.m.

• Woodwinds: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Brass: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Percussion: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

Auditions are held each fall during the first week of classes. The audition consists of three parts, the last being optional.

The Process

• Scales - Prepare as many major and chromatic scales as possible over as wide a range as possible. Extra points given for each octave played by memory. Scales may be played at a tempo of your choosing.
• Sight-reading - This is a standardized test designed to measure sight-reading ability and musicality.
• Prepared solo (optional) - You may choose to play a prepared solo to demonstrate your ability to prepare a piece of music, as well as to display your tonal and expressive abilities. This is optional and will not count against you if you choose not to do it.
• Percussionists will be given—in lieu of sight-reading—easy, intermediate and advanced etudes on snare drum, mallets, and timpani. As many as possible should be prepared, at marked tempos.

Results will be discussed at the end of the audition.

Prospective members are required to audition. Returning members may choose to re-audition; otherwise, their membership status and placement will be determined by their previous audition score.

Wind Symphony is a one-credit class and must be taken for credit. However, students already registered for 16 credits may audit the class. Auditing students have the same responsibilities of preparation and participation as those registered for credit.

• Freshmen and sophomores register for MUPF 128 - Wind Symphony
• Juniors and seniors register for MUPF 328 - Wind Symphony

Members are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full academic year.