Bands

On this page:

• Auditions
• Steps to Audition for Wright State Bands
• Wind Symphony
• Symphonic (Concert) Band
• Varsity Pep Band
• Jazz Ensemble
• Conducting Faculty

Auditions

The School of Fine and Performing Arts 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. Auditions are required for all music majors/minors throughout their course of study. Placements will be determined by the ensemble director in collaboration with your applied studio instructor.

Wind Symphony

• Rehearses MWF 1:30–3 p.m. [MUE 2690/4690/6690]
• Audition required; for more information contact shelley.jagow@wright.edu

Concert/Symphonic Band

• Rehearses MWF 3:35–4:30 p.m. [MUE 2660/4660/6660]
• NO AUDITION; simply register for the course and show up for rehearsal

Jazz Band

• Rehearses TR 12:30–1:50 p.m. [MUE 2680/4680]
• Audition required; for more information please see the Jazz Ensemble section below, or contact matthew.anklan@wright.edu

Pep Band

• Rehearses TR 2–3:20 p.m. [MUE 2670/4670]
• Audition required; for more information contact stephan.naylor@wright.edu

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Steps to Audition for Wright State Bands

Band Auditions will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, for all Woodwinds and Brass and on Monday, August 26, 2024, for all Percussion. Band placement auditions take place in the Creative Arts Center in Room M190; students may warm up in Room M180.

• Complete the online Band Registration Form.
• Download and prepare Band Placement Music for your instrument.
• Be on time for your audition. You must be ready to perform at the beginning of each of these time blocks.
  • 9 a.m. - Bassoons
  • 9:20 a.m. - Oboes
  • 10 a.m. - Flutes
  • 11 a.m. - Clarinets
  • Noon to 1 p.m. - Lunch Break
  • 1 p.m. - Trombones
  • 2 p.m. - Trumpets
  • 3 p.m. - Horns
  • 3:30 p.m. - Saxophones 
  • 4:30 p.m. - Euphoniums & Tubas

Percussion contact: gerald.noble@wright.edu

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Wind Symphony

The school's premier 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)
Shelley Jagow, Ph.D., director
shelley.jagow@wright.edu

The Wright State University Wind Symphony is the university’s most elite symphonic band organization. Its student members, typically comprised of approximately 50 students, are chosen annually by competitive audition. The Wind Symphony performs the finest in symphonic wind repertoire, ranging from transcriptions to state-of-the-art original compositions. The band rehearses on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:30-3 p.m. in Room 190 of the Creative Arts Center.

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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 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:35-4:35 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. 

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Varsity Pep Band

Performs jazz, rock, and contemporary music at all home basketball games and for other campus activities. Audition required (contact the director for details).

Varsity Pep Band (MUE 2670/4670/6670)
Stephan Naylor
937-775-2346
stephan.naylor@wright.edu

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.  Members of the band receive free admission to all games performed, plus the opportunity to receive scholarship money. 

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Jazz Ensemble

The university's premiere jazz ensemble, this group performs repertoire of the 20th and 21st century, primarily using the traditional 17 to 18-piece Big Band format and instrumentation. Students learn crucial elements of ensemble execution, professionalism, jazz history, style, and improvisation. While membership is open to any Wright State student regardless of major, auditions are required (to access the Jazz audition excerpts, click on the appropriate link below).

Students interested in joining the Wright State University Jazz Ensemble should look at the audition materials (below), and contact Matt Anklan at matthew.anklan@wright.edu.

• Jazz Ensemble Audition Repertoire
   

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Conducting Faculty