Concert Bands
Beginning in 1885 as a 12-member cadet band, The University of Missouri Band program now includes more than 400 students from virtually every discipline across campus. MU Bands offers three concert ensembles − Wind Ensemble (our top auditioned band featuring one-per-part and chamber music opportunities), Symphonic Band (our second auditioned band), and University Band (a non-auditioned ensemble for students who still want to perform in a concert ensemble and for music education majors who want additional experience performing on secondary instruments). Membership in the bands is open to all university students, regardless of major. Our ensembles perform regularly at state and regional conferences such as the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference and the Southwest College Band Directors National Association Conference. We have recently toured and performed in Australia, Austria, China, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic. MU Bands are active in a variety of commissioning projects and consortia that have included such distinguished composers as Steven Bryant, Ryan George, John Mackey, Michael Markowski, David Maslanka, Aaron Perrine, Omar Thomas, and Joel Puckett. In addition, guest composers-in-residence (such as Michael Daugherty and Jonathan Newman) work with students in our concert bands to help connect the music that is being performed to their artistic vision of the piece. Each year, the MU Bands host the All-Juniors Honor Band, an immersive on-campus experience for talented junior students from across the state of Missouri.
The University of Missouri School of Music offers Graduate Assistantships in the band area. Band GTAs assist the band faculty with administration of all aspects of the MU Band program, both athletic and concert, and events throughout the year hosted by MU Bands. Band GTAs have numerous conducting opportunities with all levels of our concert bands, assist with the instruction of Marching Mizzou, and share pep band conducting responsibilities with the athletic band directors. Additional teaching duties within the music education curricula such as basic conducting, rehearsal clinic, marching band techniques, and instrument methods courses are available.
The Wind Ensemble incorporates the finest woodwind, brass and percussion performers on campus. This select ensemble offers one-per-part playing in a flexible setting and performs the highest quality wind band literature.
High expectations for individual musicianship and advanced technical attainment make membership in the Wind Ensemble a challenging and rewarding experience. Membership is through competitive auditions held each semester. Recent guests of the Wind Ensemble have include renowned wind band composers John Mackey, Steve Bryant, David Maslanka, Michael Markowski, Ryan George, and Aaron Perrine. The Wind Ensemble has recently toured China, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic, and has made several appearances at state, regional, and national music conferences. The Wind Ensemble gives two performances each semester and is conducted by Dr. Brian A. Silvey. Wind Ensemble meets from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
This ensemble is one of the highest quality performing organizations on campus. It is comprised of accomplished wind and percussion players and performs a traditional repertoire of wind band literature. The Symphonic Band has represented MU with performances at state, regional and national professional music conferences and conventions. Students are placed in this ensemble by auditions which occur at the beginning of each semester. Membership is open to all students in the university. The Symphonic Band meets from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm Tuesday and Thursday, gives two performances each semester, and is conducted by Dr. Amy M. Knopps.
The University Band is comprised of outstanding student musicians from all schools and departments within the university. Featuring works from all genres of the wind band repertoire, this ensemble performs regularly throughout the academic year. Performances are often shared with the Symphonic Band and area public school bands.
Participation in the University Band offers MU students an ideal opportunity to remain involved in music performance throughout their college career, despite their busy academic schedules. Membership is open to all students—a short audition will determine chair placement within the ensemble. The University Band meets weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7:00–9:00PM, and is conducted by Dr. Christian M. Noon.
Auditions
Auditions are held before the start of classes each semester for placement into one of the large instrumental ensembles. Wind and percussion students are assigned to either the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band or the University Philharmonic based on technical performance ability and the needs of the ensemble. No audition is required for the University Band. All students must prepare EVERY excerpt listed for their instrument. Detailed information and audition excerpts will be posted by July for the following academic year.
All new and returning woodwind, brass and percussion students must play an audition every semester to qualify for placement in an ensemble.
All-State Resources
All-State recordings and videos for 2020-2021 can now be found at the University of Missouri School of Music YouTube Channel
Bands Faculty
