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The Indiana University Department of Bands is
an integral part of the IU School of Music and holds a
distinguished reputation for musical leadership in the wind band
field. The top four concert bands are composed of music majors
from all areas of the School of Music. These wind bands perform a
wide variety of the finest in wind literature, including classic
selections of the repertoire, chamber music for winds, and
contemporary selections. The department is active in
commissioning distinguished new literature for the wind band
medium. World premieres have recently included works by composers
Claude Baker, David Dzubay, Jindrich Feld, Frederick Fox, Don
Freund, Bernard Heiden, Eugene O'Brien, Rodney Rodgers, Michael
Schelle, Ellen Spokane, and John Stout.
Distinguished composers that have recently
appeared on campus to conduct their works include Samuel Adler,
Warren Benson, and Karel Husa. Guest artists with the bands
regularly include world renowned soloists from the faculty of the
School of Music and others of international stature.
Auditions for one of our music major bands (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band) consists of the following prepared items:
**1.5 minute "lyrical" selection
**1.5 minute "technical" selection
**ALL major scales (1-2 will be selected by band faculty at audition)
**Sight-reading (given at the audition, no preparation needed!)
Auditions are held during the first week of classes each semester. Contact the Band Office (812-855-1372) to set up an audition time. It is best to call the week prior to auditions in order to secure an audition slot. Auditions are open to all majors at IU; however, the three bands listed above are comprised mainly of music majors.
Auditions for the All-Campus Band are not needed. Simply attend our first rehearsal (Musical Arts Center, room 036 - 7:00 p.m.) on the first Monday of each semester to receive information on the class. Once again, there are NO auditions for membership in the ensemble, just chair placement auditions the 2nd week of each semester.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is one of
the premier ensembles in the School of Music. The ensemble
commissions new compositions for the wind medium and performs the
most outstanding literature currently available. The group tours
each spring, and has appeared at ABA, CBDNA, MENC, and Indiana
Music Educators Association conventions, as well as the 1984
American Bandmasters Association/Japan Bandmasters Association
joint convention in Tokyo.
Recent guest conductors of the Wind Ensemble include Frederick
Fennell and composers Karel Husa, Warren Benson, and Samuel
Adler. The ensembles' appearances at conferences of the American
Bandmasters Association have resulted in many guest composers
from amongst their ranks. Soloists with the group recently have
included Howard Klug, Eugene Rousseau, Keith Brown, M. Dee
Stewart, Harvey Phillips, Daniel Perantoni, and The Canadian
Brass.
The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Professor
Stephen W. Pratt. Auditions are held at
the beginning of each semester.
Symphonic Band and Concert Band
The Jacobs School of Music Symphonic and Concert Bands perform major works of the traditional wind band repertoire as well as new compositions by leading composers. Consisting of both graduate and undergraduate music majors, these ensembles perform three concerts per semester and rehearse daily. A core group is often taken from the membership of the band to form various chamber winds groups, including a standard wind ensemble.
In recent years the bands have played under the direction of various guest conductors including Frederick Fennell and composers Karel Husa, Warren Benson, Samuel Adler, and Frank Ticheli. Soloists with the group recently have included The Canadian Brass, and faculty members Howard Klug, Edmund Cord, Joey Tartell, Mike Schwartzkopf, and Dee Stewart.
Membership is by audition only, held at the beginning of each semester. The bands are major ensembles of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. The Symphonic Band is conducted by Associate Director of Bands Jeffrey D. Gershman and the Concert Band is conducted by Assistant Director of Bands Paul W. Popiel.
All-Campus Band
The All-Campus Band is open to all IU students wishing to
continue in music-making throughout their collegiate years. The
band is open to all students regardless of major. (Membership is
also extended to all IU graduate students, faculty and staff). Without demanding a
significant obligation in a student's schedule, All-Campus Band
members meet once a week (Mondays nights) and performs a formal
concert at the end of each semester. No audition is needed to
join the All-Campus Band.
Registration for the ensemble is through the School of Music,
course X001. The All-Campus Band features several conductors
throughout the year, all of whom are enrolled in Wind Conducting
degree programs at Indiana University.
Summer Band
The Indiana University Summer Concert Band performs three
concerts each July in an outdoor setting on the Jacobs Plaza.
This very popular group attracts nearly 1,000 people for every
concert and features a number of faculty and graduate student
soloists. The band performs a variety of works including light
concert overtures, marches, Broadway tunes, and movie music. One
of three major instrumental ensembles in the summer, the band is
a fully instrumented symphonic band, attracting some of the
finest wind and percussion students in the School of Music. Auditions for the group take place at the
beginning of Second Summer Session.
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