Concert Bands

The tradition of concert bands at Iowa State University goes back over 100 years!

Currently, there are three concert bands - the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, and the Concert Band. Students are eligible to participate in any of these ensembles.

Auditions for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands are held at the beginning of fall semester. Typically, we ask to hear one or more etudes or solo works which display your slow, lyrical playing and your faster, more technical ability. There is no audition for membership into the Concert Band. Auditions are also held at the beginning of the spring semester based on the vacancies which may exist in each of the bands.

A sign-up sheet for these 7-minute auditions will be posted on the band bulletin board, beginning August 15, 2008. Brass auditions will be held throughout the day on Monday, August 25. Woodwind auditions will be held throughout the day on Tuesday, August 26. Percussion auditions will be held on Monday evening, August 20.

There is no audition for membership into the Concert Band. Auditions are also held at the beginning of the spring semester based on the vacancies which may exist in each of the bands.

All of the concert bands perform on campus in both the intimate 350-seat Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall in the Music Hall and the 2,700-seat C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, recognized as one of the finest performance halls in the world.

There are a number of departmental scholarships available for music majors. There are also scholarships available for outstanding musicians on "need" instruments regardless of major. Auditions for the departmental scholarships are held in January and February and also serve as an entrance audition for music majors. Click here to learn more about available scholarships.

To learn about upcoming performances of the ISU Concert Bands, click here.

Wind Ensemble

Course #111
Rehearsal Schedule: M, W,Th, F 12:10-1:00 pm

The Wind Ensemble is recognized as the top concert band at Iowa State. Striving for perfection and playing for the love of music, the sixty members of the Wind Ensemble perform the finest quality literature composed for winds including music from the 16th century through the most contemporary works available for winds. The Wind Ensemble performs works for smaller chamber ensembles to the full ensemble.

Members of the Wind Ensemble have exceptional opportunities to work with some of the world's greatest composers, conductors and soloists. In recent years, these have included John Corigliano, Timothy Reynish, Colonel Alan Bonner, Thomas Lee, Robert Jorgensen, David Waybright, John Whitwell, Simon Estes, Leigh Howard Stevens, John Philip Sousa IV, and Kenny Drefke. The group regularly commissions and premieres new compositions.

On campus, the Wind Ensemble presents approximately six concerts each year, performing in Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall and C. Y. Stephens Auditorium, one of the finest performance halls in the world.

Off campus, the Wind Ensemble has performed in recent years in Minneapolis' Orchestra Hall and in Chicago's Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. In 2003, the Wind Ensemble toured Germany and Austria, with performances in Stuttgart, Munich and Salzburg. In 2005, the Wind Ensemble toured the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany with performances in Prague, Vienna and Salzburg. In May, 2007, the Wind Ensemble will make their third European tour, with stops in Brussels, Paris, Ulm, Salzburg and Rothenburg.

The Wind Ensemble has performed for the College Band Directors National Association North Division convention, and has performed numerous times for the Iowa Bandmasters Association convention.

In 2008, the Wind Ensemble will be performing with the New Century Saxophone Quartet and also with the Boston Brass.

The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Michael Golemo , Director of Bands.

Symphonic Band

Course #115
Rehearsal Schedule: Fall: M W F 11:00 - 11:50 pm Spring: MWF 3:10-4:00 pm

The Symphonic Band is an 80-member ensemble that explores traditional as well as contemporary works by composers such as Percy Grainger, Malcolm Arnold, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Leonard Bernstein.

The Symphonic Band is conducted by Matthew Smith, Associate Director of Bands.

Concert Band

Course #112
Rehearsal Schedule: Fall: T Th 9:30 - 10:50 am Spring: T Th 4:10-5:30 pm

The Concert Band performs a variety of rich literature. Approximately 100 students take part in this group, enjoying continued musical involvement at the college level without excessive performance pressures or rehearsal time. The Concert Band is conducted by Gary Kleptach, Assistant Director of Bands.