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Bands
As a major component of a balanced curriculum of music performance, applied music, music history, music theory, and music education, the School of Music offers a wide range of performing ensembles.
These ensembles are open to all students at the university, regardless of major, and, in some cases, to community members.
On this page:
- Wind Symphony
- Chamber Players
- Symphonic (Concert) Band
- Varsity Pep Band
- Jazz Ensemble
- Conducting Faculty
- How to Participate
- Placement Auditions
Wind Symphony
The school's premiere wind band, this ensemble performs original compositions and transcriptions for band and wind ensembles. Audition required.
The Wright State University Wind Symphony (MUE 2690/4690/6690)
David M. Booth, D.M.A., conductor
david.booth@wright.edu
The Wright State University Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. David M. Booth, is the university’s most elite symphonic band organization. Its student members, typically comprised of approximately 50 music majors, are chosen annually by competitive audition. Representing Wright State as the university’s premier wind band, the Wind Symphony performs the finest in symphonic wind repertoire, ranging from transcriptions to state-of-the-art original compositions.
Over the past decade, the Wright State Wind Symphony has become recognized across Ohio and the Midwest as one the region’s most outstanding collegiate band organizations. In 2000, the Wind Symphony conducted its first-ever international performance tour to Matsusaka, Japan, and Seoul, Korea, and returned for a second tour to Japan in June 2004.
In addition to annual tours, the ensemble performs for various conferences and events, including state conferences of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA).
Over the past five years, the Wind Symphony has performed under several internationally renowned guest conductors, including Timothy Foley, John Bourgeois, H. Robert Reynolds, Mallory Thompson, Frank Battisti, William Wakefield, and Frederick Fennell.
The ensemble, and its satellite organization, the Wright State Chamber Players, perform at professional conferences and conventions across the country and abroad.
Chamber Players
Exploration of performance repertoire composed expressly for small wind ensemble. Works by such composers as Mozart, Strauss, Dvorak, Beethoven, and Stravinsky. Consent of conductor and student's applied instructor required.
The Wright State University Chamber Players (MUE 2490/4490/6490)
David M. Booth, D.M.A., conductor
david.booth@wright.edu
The Wright State Chamber Players, under the direction of Dr. David M. Booth, is a smaller ensemble comprised of players from within the Wind Symphony, performs chamber wind compositions calling for smaller forces. The number of performing musicians typically ranges from approximately eight to 24 players, depending on the work. Common repertoire for the Chamber Players includes masterpieces by such composers as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Krommer, Brahms, Dvorak, Strauss, Hindemith, and others.
Symphonic (Concert) Band
Performs band music of all styles. Open to all students without an audition.
The Wright State University Symphonic (Concert) Band (MUE 2660/4660/6660 section 01)
Shelley Jagow, Ph.D., director
shelley.jagow@wright.edu
The Wright State University Symphonic Band is a performing wind band open to all Wright State students from a wide variety of fields of study within the university. The band rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-3:20 p.m. in Room 190 in the Creative Arts Center. The band performs at least one concert each semester with musical repertory ranging from pop concerts to wind band classics and contemporary compositions. In addition, a one-day off-campus tour performance is often organized at a high school within the greater Dayton area.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I register for Band?
Simply register for MUE 2660 (if you are a FR or SO), or MUE 4660 (if you are a JR or SR), or MUE 6660 (graduate students).
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I have a Wright State class that does not end until 2 p.m. Can I still play in the bands even though rehearsals begin at 2 p.m.?
YES. If you have a class until 2 p.m., please ask your advisor to still register you for band. Many students have class until 2 p.m. and simply arrive a little late and enter rehearsals quietly. Your grade is not affected by late arrival from another class.
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I don’t own my own instrument.
No problem. If you need an instrument in order to perform in one of the bands, you simply need to contact the director of the ensemble and they will help you in acquiring an instrument. There is no rental fee for WSU students using instruments in a WSU ensemble.
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Is there an audition required to be a member of the Concert/Symphonic Band?There is NO audition required to be a member of Symphonic (Concert) Band, but there will be optional seating placement assessments.
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Can I join the band in Spring semester if I didn’t play in Fall semester?
YES. At any time you can join the band!
Varsity Pep Band
Performs jazz, rock, and contemporary music at all home basketball games and for other campus activities. Audition required (contact the Pep Band Director for details).
Varsity Pep Band (MUE 2670/4670/6670)
Stephen Monath, director
monath.2@wright.edu
(937) 775-2346
The Wright State University Raider Pep Band provides musical entertainment and spirit at home men’s and women’s basketball games as well as other select events around campus and the community. The ensemble, comprised of Wright State students, performs traditional rock, high energy contemporary music, and cheers to help excite the crowd and drive the Raiders to another Horizon League championship and NCAA tournament berth. Members of the band receive free admission to all games performed, plus the opportunity to receive scholarship money. In 2008, select members of the band traveled with the men’s basketball team to Buffalo, New York, for the NCAA men’s basketball championship tournament and every year the band travels for the Horizon League tournaments.
The band splits into Green and Gold bands of equal instrumentation to cover all the events and is made up flutes, clarinets, saxes, mellophones (F horn), trumpets, trombones, tubas, electric bass, and drum set. Membership is open to all Wright State students, and is limited only by instrumentation, so sign up early to ensure a seat!
If you have any questions, please contact the Varsity Pep Band director, Stephen Monath.
Jazz Ensemble
A jazz performance-oriented group. Students learn elements of ensemble execution, professionalism, jazz history, jazz styles, and jazz improvisation. Audition required (to access the Jazz Audition Excerpts, click on the appropriate links below).
Jazz Ensemble (MUE 2680/4680/6680)
Brian Cashwell, D.M.A., director
brian.cashwell@wright.edu
(937) 775-2346
The Wright State University Jazz Ensemble is a 15-20 piece large ensemble open to all Wright State students by audition. The group performs music ranging from early Duke Ellington through the most modern composers such as Gordon Goodwin and Jon Fedchock. The band performs multiple times each semester on campus. While the ability to improvise is strongly encouraged, the band is always looking for solid section players to contribute to the ensemble. Auditions are held each fall and subsequently when slots open up each semester. The instrumentation is 5 Saxes, 5 Trumpets, 4 Trombones (1 Bass), Tuba (if needed), and the rhythm section made up of Piano, Bass, Guitar and Drum Set. If you are interested in joining the Jazz Ensemble, please contact Dr. Cashwell.
Audition Music and Instructions for Jazz Ensemble Auditions
Printable Jazz Band Audition Information (PDF)
Conducting Faculty
Dave Booth, D.M.A.
Department:
Music
Title:
Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Wind Conducting Studies
Address:
Creative Arts Center 087B, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH 45435-0001
Email:
Shelley M. Jagow, Ph.D.
Department:
Music
Title:
Professor
Address:
Creative Arts Center 085B, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH 45435-0001
Email:
Brian Douglas Cashwell, D.M.A.
Department:
Music
Title:
Adjunct Faculty
Address:
Creative Arts Center 275F, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435-0001
Email:
How to Participate
Music Majors (Undergraduate)
All full-time undergraduate Bachelor of Music degree-track music majors, and first or second-year Bachelor of Arts music majors (whose major instrument is a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument) are required to prepare and perform the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition. After the audition, the Director of Bands, in consultation with your studio teacher, will determine the ensemble to which you will be assigned, Wind Symphony (WS) or Symphonic Band (SB), as your required primary ensemble for the fall semester. Please note: If you are assigned to WS, but also wish to play in SB as an elective choice, you are entirely welcome and encouraged to do so. Download and print the audition music for your instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Am I still required to play the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition, even if I don’t want to be in Wind Symphony?
YES. If you’re a full-time undergraduate music major (woodwind, brass, or percussion), you must audition. Please carefully RE-READ the participation information for undergraduate music majors.
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Am I required to play the audition on my major instrument?
Yes, of course!
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Can I also play a secondary instrument for the audition?
Yes, but also you MUST play an audition on your major instrument. If you wish to be considered for another instrument, then sign up for an additional audition time slot appropriate for that instrument.
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I’m a flutist … Am I required to also play piccolo at my audition?
It is VERY strongly recommended that you audition on both flute and piccolo, especially if you wish to be seriously considered for Wind Symphony. At the audition, you MUST play flute (you can’t just play piccolo and not flute also). If you don’t own your own piccolo, please borrow or rent one.
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Will open band auditions be held again for spring semester?
No. However, we will announce any spring semester “open spots” for Wind Symphony toward the end of fall semester, and then fill those positions on an “as-needed” basis. Presently, the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition is the only “open” band audition planned for this academic year. [Note: If necessary, the WS director reserves the right to re-audition an entire WS section, thus “opening” all chairs as available within that section for the following semester.]
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What is Chamber Players, and how can I join?
This group is a smaller chamber wind ensemble that performs music by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and many others. CP members are nearly always chosen from within the WS ranks. The CP typically plays pieces for 8 to 13 players, and instrumentation changes each concert cycle and each semester. Rehearsals are MWF, 1:25–2:20 pm (the hour just before WS), and our first rehearsal will be on Wednesday, September 5. If you wish to be considered for CP, you can express your interest during your fall wind ens/band audition. Note: The fall wind ens/band audition also serves as the audition for Chamber Players.
Graduate Music Students
If you are a graduate music student and wish to play in Wind Symphony, (meets MWF, 2:30-4 p.m., rehearsals begin on the first Friday meeting of Fall Semester classes annually), you are encouraged to perform the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition. If you are a graduate performance major, please be aware that playing in either Wind Symphony or Chamber Orchestra can fulfill the ensemble requirement on your Master of Music degree checklist. Ideally, grad performance majors should participate in the ensemble(s) recommended by their studio teacher (it is not uncommon for grad performance majors to electively play in BOTH Wind Symphony and Chamber Orchestra out of an interest to gain substantive and diverse ensemble experience). Regardless, all grad music students are welcome to audition for WS, a very musically rewarding, high caliber ensemble. Download and print the audition music for your instrument.
Music Minors, Non-Music Majors, and Part-Time Wright State Students
Wright State students who are music minors, part-time students, or NON-music majors (students from other majors from across campus) are welcome and invited to join one of our bands. If you wish to play in Wind Symphony (WS rehearsals begin on the first Friday meeting of Fall Semester classes annually), you will need to perform the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition. However, you can play in Symphonic Band without having to play this particular audition—just enroll in MUE 2660, and attend the first regularly-scheduled fall semester class meeting on Tuesday afternoon, where you will be asked to play a short, easy musical passage, which will be used to determine part assignments in Symphonic Band. Important: Non-music majors who are advanced players, and who would prefer the higher intensity and challenge level of Wind Symphony, are welcome and encouraged to register for the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition. If that’s you, simply follow the same instructions listed above for the music majors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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As a NON-music major am I required to play an audition to be in Symphonic Band?
Technically, no … Just register for MUE 2660 and attend the first class meeting with your instrument. There, you’ll be asked to play a few short, easy passages to determine part assignments best suited for you. If you have any further questions about participation in SB, please contact our SB director, Dr. Shelley Jagow, at shelley.jagow@wright.edu.
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When does Symphonic Band meet?
The Symphonic Band meets Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:00–3:30 pm, in the CAC building, Room 190.
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As a NON-music major, can I be in Wind Symphony?
Yes, but you must be selected via the same audition as the music majors, the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition. Players are chosen based on playing ability, not by their major. If you are interested, please know you are very welcome to audition! Just follow the same instructions for the music majors.
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When does Wind Symphony meet?
Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, 2:30–4:00, in CAC, Rm. 190 (rehearsals begin on the first Friday of Fall Semester classes annually).
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When does Chamber Players meet?
Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, 1:25–2:20, in CAC, Rm. 190.
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Finally, where can I download the Fall Band/Wind Ensemble Placement music and instructions?
Here, on the Bands webpage, please find and choose the appropriate link for your instrument, then download, print, and prepare your audition music. Please bring your own audition music with you to your live audition.
Placement Auditions for Fall 2018
Printable Fall 2018 Band/Wind Ensemble Placement Audition Instructions (PDF) (ALL STUDENTS: please download and print)
Preparing for Your Audition
Please prepare as many excerpts as possible, but if some are too difficult please don’t become overly discouraged—these are meant to test the limits of even the best players! Just prepare as many as you can, and all if possible! Please remember, however, that those who play all the excerpts at a high level of musical excellence will be the candidates most strongly considered for Wind Symphony. Please also be aware that the audition will also determine WS section principals and parts assignments, as well as eligibility for Chamber Players.
Scheduling Your Audition
You can sign-up for your audition time on Dr. Booth’s office door, (located in the Creative Arts Center, south side, lower level, Room 087-B), on a sign-up board that will be posted on the door no later than the Wednesday before the first week of Fall semester. Audition time slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You will need to sign up for an audition time listed during the timeframe for your instrument. While specific time slots are still being determined, the “day schedule” for each of the various sections will be as follows:
- Monday – Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Percussion
- Tuesday – Oboe, Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, Double Bass
- Wednesday – Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone
