Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds

Wind Symphony

Symphonic Band

Conducting Workshop

The Pride of Arizona

Pep Band

UA Middle School Outreach Honor Band

UA High School Honor Band

Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds

Dr. Chad R. Nicholson, conductor

The UA Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds represent a premiere group of brass, woodwind and percussion students dedicated to the highest possible level of performance. This ensemble includes numerous concerts, sectional rehearsals, recordings, and occasional tours. The Wind Ensemble performs premieres of new works along with challenging standard repertoire. Primarily comprised of advanced undergraduate and graduate music majors, the UA Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds demand a high degree of preparation and musicianship.

The UA Wind Ensemble was recently featured at the 2018 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Western/Northwestern Combined Divisions Conference, a tremendous honor at a conference representing the finest ensembles in a twelve-state region.

The UA Wind Ensemble and Chamber winds have collaborated with many artists and scholars on and off campus, including the Confucius Institute, the Flandrau Planetarium, David Maslanka, Aaron Jay Kernis, and Joan Tower.

Additional Information: The group is open to any university student by audition in the fall of each academic year. Students should expect to commit to preparation and sectional times in addition to class meetings. Please contact the uabands@cfa.arizona.edu for more information.

Course Number:MUS 200E/400E/500E

Meets:T,Th 2:00 - 3:50pm in Room 170

Wind Symphony

Professor Chad Shoopman, conductor

The UA Wind Symphony is a select group of brass, woodwind and percussion students who are dedicated to the performance of both the core wind band repertoire and the standard contemporary band literature.

Additional Information: The ensemble, which is primarily comprised of undergraduate music education majors, performs music from all periods and styles. The group is open to any university student by audition in the fall of each academic year.  Please contact uabands@cfa.arizona.edu for more information.

Course Number:MUS 200D/400D/500D

Meets:T, Th 4:00 - 5:50 in Room 170

Symphonic Band

The UA Symphonic Band performs large ensemble works, including standard repertoire and popular musical settings for band. The group provides a positive musical outlet for all UA students, and it serves as an excellent place to reinforce skills for music education students.

Auditions are not required to enroll; however, students will complete a brief playing interview for part assignment. The ensemble is open to all students, regardless of major, and meets in both Fall and Spring semesters.

There is a great diversity of students in this ensemble, most of whom want to continue to play their instrument from high school.

There are instruments available to rent from the School of Music for $40.00 per semester and are based on availability.

Course Number:MUS 200/400/500C

Meets:Mon 7:00PM-9:30PM in Room 170

More Info:uabands@cfa.arizona.edu

Conducting Workshop

The Conducting Workshop, open to school band directors, provides teachers with exciting and innovative tools for conducting and rehearsing school band ensembles. This year our day-long clinic has an exciting new addition—conducting participants will get to try new techniques and new ideas with a LIVE high school wind ensemble! This gives our participants the opportunity to adapt new ideas in a very real and practical setting that will allow for rapid and meaningful growth as conductors and rehearsal technicians.

The Workshop clinicians are Arizona Bands Faculty Dr. Chad R. Nicholson, Prof. Chad Shoopman, and Prof. Yudai Ueda. The conducting participant spots are limited and will be set on a first-come, first-serve basis. Unlimited positions are available for observers. We hope you will join us!

Date:Saturday, December 14, 2019

The Pride of Arizona

“The “Pride of Arizona” Marching Band along with the “Pride of Arizona” Pep Band exemplifies one of the finest and most storied athletic bands programs in the country. Representing The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, the “Pride” has built its reputation on outstanding Performance(s), Respect for each other and the university, Integrity in all we do, Discipline of focus, and a relentless pursuit of Excellence. Our mission is to use the transformative power of music and the marching arts to entertain, educate, and elevate our students and audiences.

With over 250 members, the “Pride” includes a battery-unit drumline and award-winning auxiliary units of pom line dancers, baton twirlers and a flag and rifle color guard. Filled with a sense of tradition and enthusiasm, the “Pride of Arizona” provides UA students an opportunity to make great music, new friends, and support the Wildcat spirit while discovering their own individual excellence in a group endeavor.

The Pride of Arizona Bands are committed to the strategic vision of the University of Arizona in becoming a leading arts destination that fully embraces collaboration to fuel social impact, cultural development and economic growth in our community, our state, our nation, and worldwide.

More info on the Pride of Arizona website.

Pep Band

The Pep Band is made up of 55 exceptional students who demonstrate the highest caliber of musicianship, commitment, and enthusiasm within the Athletic Bands. Membership in this elite group is attained through audition only. You must be a member of “Pride of Arizona” Marching Band to be eligible to audition for the Pep Band.

The Pep Band supports a variety of UA team sports as well as campus and community events. They are an integral part of NCAA tournament appearances for the teams, including Men’s Basketball, where they have performed at several National Championship Basketball games. The UA Pep Band is continually recognized through its numerous television appearances and live events as one of the best in the country.

The Pride of Arizona Bands are committed to the strategic vision of the University of Arizona in becoming a leading arts destination that fully embraces collaboration to fuel social impact, cultural development and economic growth in our community, our state, our nation, and worldwide.

More info on the Pride of Arizona website.

UA Middle School Outreach Honor Band

The Outreach Honor Band services public and private school music programs in the extended Tucson metropolitan area. Membership is open to advanced instrumental and percussion students in 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.

Repertoire is selected to challenge the members on a number of levels. Pieces by leading composers for young band are selected for rehearsal and performance.

More info on the UA Outreach Honor Band website.

UA High School Honor Band

The UA High School Honor Band offers students the opportunity to join with other musicians from across the western states to perform in concert on The University or Arizona campus.

More info on the UA High School Honor Band website.

Band Auditions

Auditions are required for placement into the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Chamber Winds. You do not need to be a music major to schedule an audition. Auditions are not required for Symphonic Band.

Join the Marching Band

Sign up is open for Marching Band. No audition necessary for wind instruments. Visit the Pride of Arizona site for information on joining the Pride of Arizona Marching Band and Pep Band.

Etude Workshop

December 13, 2019

University of Arizona faculty and music students will hold masterclasses for winds, strings, and percussion. Instruction will include group fundamentals, regional etudes, pedagogy for each specific instrument, and tips on how to audition!

Conducting Workshop

December 14, 2019.

The Conducting Workshop, open to school band directors, provides teachers with exciting and innovative tools for conducting and rehearsing school band ensembles. This year our day-long clinic has an exciting new addition—conducting participants will get to try new techniques and new ideas with a LIVE high school wind ensemble! We hope you will join us!

Honor Band

February 20-22, 2020

The University of Arizona High School Honor Band offers students & musicians from across the western states to perform in concert on The University or Arizona campus. Membership is based upon experience and playing ability.

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History of the UA Bands

The University of Arizona Department of Bands is part of the UA Fred Fox School of Music in the College of Fine Arts. UA BANDS provide world-class musical opportunities for students of all majors and backgrounds. From the finest concert experiences to the thrills of marching for nearly 60,000 fans at Arizona Stadium, all students at the University of Arizona can find a musical home in our outstanding ensembles. In 2002, the band department celebrated its 100th anniversary with four concert bands and the “Pride of Arizona” marching and UA Pep Band.

Concert Bands

Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band

Over the years, UA concert bands have been directed by an illustrious group of composers, conductors and musicians. Joseph DeLuca (1928-1935) composed The University of Arizona March dedicated to the institution. Frank Simon came to UA in the 1950’s having been cornet soloist with the John Philip Sousa band and principal trumpet with the NBC Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini. As UA Professor of Trumpet, Simon contributed his extensive knowledge and talent to enhance the UA band program. Jack Lee (1952-1980) conducted some well-known UA band ensembles and hosted the 1976 American Bandmasters Association. James Keene (1980-1985) brought the introduction of the Wind Ensemble to national prominence.

Gregg I. Hanson, Director of Bands form 1990-2016, brought more than 25 years of experience to UA’s Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds. He is credited with numerous premieres of outstanding repertoire for the wind band and is praised for his authentic interpretations and degree of excellence. The UA Wind Ensemble has achieved international recognition with the release of three CD recordings, all of the music of David Maslanka. In 2001, the band was one of only two groups from the U.S. chosen to perform at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference in Lucerne, Switzerland.