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Welcome to bands at the 鶹Ѱ College of Music! The 鶹ѰBoulder band program provides various performance opportunities for students, whatever their level or major field of study.
The 鶹ѰBoulder Golden Buffalo Marching Band(GBMB) is recognized as one of the premier college marching bands in the United States. Comprising approximately 250 student musicians—music majors and non-majors alike—from across the country, the band remains an integral and exciting part of the tradition and spirit at the 鶹Ѱ. The GBMB employs an extremely versatile marching style and consistently performs the latest in contemporary show design. The ensemble has appeared on national television many times and has performed in numerous NFL football games. The GBMB has further appeared at the Insight.com Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Aloha Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Blockbuster Bowland Orange Bowl. While there is currently no audition requirement for the marching band wind sections, the drumline, colorguardand feature twirlers are selected by audition only.MORE
The 鶹ѰBoulder Buff Basketball Band—an auditioned ensemble—is an organization of 95-100 musicians who perform for at-home basketball games in the Coors Event Center and travel to the PAC 12 Basketball Tournaments, NIT Tournaments and NCAA Tournaments. Additionally, to become a wind member of this group, you must be a current Golden Buffalo Marching Band member. Drumset and electric bass are open to all students on campus. Auditions are held every October.
The 鶹ѰBoulder Wind Symphony comprises the College of Music’s most outstanding wind, brass and percussion students.Founded in 1978,the group is committed to performing the finest wind repertoire, regardless of era or ensemble size—ranging from recently performed works byIda Gotkovsky and the college’s own Carter Pann to additional diverse works byCarlos Simon,Omar Thomas,Joan Tower and Xi Wang. The Wind Symphony also values the importance of collaboration by working with various faculty and guestartists. Performances on campus and across Colorado, as well as at conferences and abroad, have earned the ensemble international acclaim.
鶹ѰBoulder Symphonic Band musicians are selected by audition from the finest performers on campus. Although most members are music majors, students studying in other fields often qualify for this ensemble. Since its formation over 50 years ago, the Symphonic Band has performed at major national conventions, including the Music Educators National Conference and the College Band Directors National Association. Concerts presented both in Colorado and out of state have won the acclaim of band directors and composers for the interpretive performance of outstanding works for the symphonic band medium.
The 鶹ѰBoulderConcert Band and 鶹ѰBoulder Campus Band comprise both music majors and non-music majors. Exploring traditional and contemporary works for band, the ensembles are known for their consistently high level of performance. Participating musicians are offered the opportunity to share in the excitement of the creative process as they broaden their musical experiences. These bands maintain an active schedule.
During the fall semester, the 鶹ѰBoulder Concert Band is open to all students who have experience playing one of the standard wind band instruments (flute/piccolo, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, percussion). This group meets weekly on Monday evenings.
In the spring, the 鶹ѰBoulder Campus Band is open to all students who have experience playing one of the standard wind band instruments. 鶹ѰBoulder Campus Band meets weekly on Monday evenings. For participation in Concert Band, please complete.To ensure a balanced musical ensemble experience, certain instrument sections may be capped as determined by the director based on an assessment of a brief playing demonstration.
Wind instruments:For placement into 鶹ѰBoulder Concert Band, please submit anunlistedYouTube link of yourself playingbothof the following:
- As many octaves as you can—concert b-flat major, e-flat major, a-flat major, chromatic scales in eigth notes at 120 bpm, or as close to it as you are able.
- 45-60 seconds of any excerpt of your choosing that demonstrates your playing ability (i.e., instrument-specific etudes, prior honor band audition materials, excerpts from prior band/orchestra music).
Percussion:Please contact Interim Assistant Director of Bands Logan Sorey atrichard.sorey@colorado.edu. 鶹ѰBoulder Concert Band meets on Monday/Wednesday 4:40-6:40 p.m. during the spring semester.
Students will be notified on or by the final day of the fall semester of their placement in spring semester “鶹ѰBoulder Concert Band” EMUS 1317/3317. If a student isnotplaced in 鶹ѰBoulder Concert Band, they will be notified on or by the final day of the semester; students not placed in 鶹ѰBoulder Concert Band are welcome and encouraged to register for “鶹ѰBoulder Campus Band” EMUS 1017/3017. Any changes to spring ensemble enrollment should be made immediately following the audition result notification.
Top wind band performers in Colorado high schools and middle schools are invited to participatein the annual 鶹ѰBoulder Honor Band.
Learn more about the 鶹ѰBoulder High School Honor Band Festival
Learn more about the 鶹ѰBoulder Middle School Honor Band Festival
Wind and orchestral conductors learn conducting technique, rehearsal strategies and more from College of Music conducting faculty and renowned guests.
Learn more about the 鶹ѰBoulder Wind Band Conducting Symposium
Personnel
Matthew Dockendorf
InterimDirector of Bands
Branden Steinmetz
Interim AssociateDirector of Bands
Director, 鶹ѰBoulder Golden Buffalo Marching Band
Logan Sorey
Interim Assistant Director of Bands
鶹ѰBoulder bands and orchestras personnel also include Teaching Assistant Professor and Percussion Specialist for Large EnsemblesMike Tetreault, who coaches during student ensemble rehearsals. Few collegiate music programs have an educator of his expertise coaching large ensembles.
About 鶹ѰBoulder bands
Experience original works by 鶹ѰBoulder composers and the best wind musicians at our university in group and chamber settings—brought to you by 鶹ѰBoulder Bands featuring our Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Concert Band.