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BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY |
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BYU Bands | College of Fine Arts & Communications School of Music |
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The Band Department of Brigham Young University is part of the BYU School of Music and the College of Fine Arts and Comunications. Our program consists of a marching band, 3 concert ensembles and 2 athletic pep bands. General information about each group follows:
The 225 member Cougar Marching Band is well known for the excitement and pageantry that they bring to the 65,000 seat LaVell Edwards Stadium. This well-disciplined group brought audiences to their feet with resounding applause last year as it continued its tradition of entertaining millions of football fans at our own stadium and through regional and national TV performances. In addition to the musical excitement, members enjoy personal experiences and relationships that can truly enhance their college careers. The Marching Band rehearsals begin one week before the start of Fall Semester. During this week, individuals learn fundamentals and prepare the first half-time and pre-game show. For 21of the past 25 years the band has performed at a bowl game, and with the excellence of BYU Football, we expect to continue that tradition. Auditions are held through Spring or early Summer and can be completed in person or by tape recording (except Color Guard, which holds live auditions). The necessary information included in the audition packet is mailed out to interested individuals beginning in mid-March, following contact with the band office and completion of an INTENT TO AUDITION FORM. Talent/service awards are available to all regular members of this organization. These awards begin at $400 for the season with increasing amounts determined by ability, instrumentation needs, prior service, and leadership responsibilities.
The 45-member Wind Symphony has represented the University in prestigious national appearances and throughout the world. The finest woodwind, brass and percussion players at the University perform with the Wind Symphony. This band has received national recognition in performances for the Music Educators National Conference, the College Band Directors National Association and the American Bandmasters Association National Conference. The Wind Symphony has an extremely active concert season. The University administration has a strong commitment to this ensemble as an international touring group. In recent years the Wind Symphony has performed in the British Isles, Taiwan, Mainland China, New Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, China and the Phillippines, and Australia, as well as the Northwest and Eastern U.S. and Canada. In 1999 they toured Finland and Russia followed by the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria in 2001. In 2003 their tour included Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Mongolia, and in 2005 they toured several Scandinavian countries.
The Symphonic Band is an excellent band of select membership, and performs works from the finest in wind band literature. There are fewer performance pressures and, therefore, the Symphonic Band is well-suited to individuals who are unable to maintain the performance schedule of the Wind Symphony. Nevertheless, this performance organization provides the music major as well as other members from majors across campus the opportunity to pursue the art of music while rehearsing and performing great band repertoire
The two University Bands are non-auditioned ensembles that meet one evening per week during Winter semester (January-April). These ensembles provide a great opportunity for non-majors, fall marching band members, and all interested students to continue performing on their instrument as a member of a quality concert band.
The two Pep Bands are highly visible at both men's and women's basketball games. These bands begin with auditions mid-way through the Fall Semester and continue into Winter Semester. Both of these select groups are drawn from those participating in the concert and marching bands. Each member receives a financial award for their service.
The Percussion Area within the BYU School of Music participates in several very high-quality ensembles, including performing groups that are part of BYU Bands, Orchestras, and Jazz Studies, as well as a Percussion Ensemble, our steel drum band "Panoramic Steel", and private lessons.
