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Tradition of Excellence

Established in 1922, and built on a long tradition of excellence, UW - Eau Claire Bands provide rewarding and enriching musical experiences for nearly 700 students each year. The UW-Eau Claire Band program offers students a variety of concert bands, jazz ensembles, and  athletic bands designed to meet the artistic and educational needs of UW - Eau Claire students, regardless of major area of study. We are all musicians and you are a valued part of the proud band tradition we have here at UW-Eau Claire.

Each year, members of the UWEC Bands perform concerts in Gantner Concert Hall and the RCU Theatre at the Pablo Center At The Confluence, tour regionally, and interact with internationally known guest artists, conductors, and composers.  Students are provided opportunities to perform as soloists and serve as student conductors with the Symphony Band and Wind Symphony through our conducting and concerto competitions.  Our graduates are leading music educators across the U.S., perform on Broadway, are orchestral musicians, soloists, conductors, university professors, composers, and musicians in military bands.  

Donate Today!  Your gift the Rodney Hudson Band Scholarship or the Donald S. George Memorial Fund can help support the next generation of BluGold Musicians.

Learn more about the 100th Anniversary of the UW - Eau Claire Bands!

Wind Symphony Fall 2019
Wind Symphony

Dr. John R. Stewart, Conductor and Director of Concert Bands

2022 Band Concert

The Wind Symphony (MUSI 181/381) includes approximately 60 undergraduate student musicians who perform as a full wind symphony and as smaller chamber wind groups.  The ensemble is comprised of the most outstanding wind and percussion majors in the Department of Music and Theatre Arts and gifted non-music majors who are selected by audition each semester.  The group is dedicated to the performance of the finest wind repertoire, regardless of period or number of instrumental forces.  Flexible instrumentation and player rotation provide members of the ensemble with a variety of responsibilities, challenges, and playing experiences.  The ensemble provides members the opportunity to broaden performance and teaching skills by experiencing repertoire at the highest level. 

The Wind Symphony has performed at many regional, national, and international conferences including: Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association, Wisconsin State Music Conference, Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Clinic, Illinois Music Educators Association Convention, National Band Association - Wisconsin Chapter Convention, and the International Tuba Euphonium Conference. The Wind Symphony frequently records for regional composers and music publishers including Daehn Publications and JPM Music.

 

Wind Symphony rehearses on Monday and Wednesday from 2-3:50pm and Friday from 3-3:50pm in Haas Fine Arts Center.

 

Symphony Band
Person conducts an orchestra performance on stage

Dr. Phillip A. Ostrander, Conductor

The Symphony Band (MUSI 180/380), an ensemble comprised of music majors and talented non-music majors, is committed to the study and performance of the finest standard and contemporary works for band. This ensemble is open to university students by audition and performs four concerts a year with a concert tour each spring.

Symphony Band records the educational music of regional composers and publishers at the end of each semester.  Each spring, the Symphony Band hosts both a student concerto and student conducting competition.  Winning students perform and conduct on the final concert of the academic year.

The Symphony Band rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3:15pm and Friday from 2-2:50pm in Haas Fine Arts. 

 

University Band

Prof. David Lofy, Conductor

University Band (MUSI 182/382) is comprised of approximately 120 talented musicians from many academic disciplines as well as music majors who choose to perform on secondary instruments. U-Band is open to all students and no audition is required for participation in this ensemble. The band rehearses once a week and performs one concert per semester in Gantner Concert Hall. The band frequently provides opportunities for talented senior music education majors to serve as a guest conductor with the ensemble. The ensemble is committed to performing a wide variety of repertoire from wind band standards to new contemporary works.

The University Band rehearses on Monday from 4-5:50pm in the fall semester, and on Tuesday from 4-5:50pm in the spring semester. 

Ensemble Auditions

Auditions for Wind Symphony (MUSI 181/381) and Symphony Band (MUSI 180/380) are held during the first week of classes every semester. Audition dates and times are listed below.  If you have questions about auditions, contact Dr. John R. Stewart, Director of Concert Bands, at stewajo@uwec.edu  If you're interested in the University Band, Blugold Marching Band, or Blugold Athletic Band you just have to register for the course — no auditions required!

Wind Symphony and Symphony Band auditions

Fall 2023 Band Auditions materials will be available August 1st.  

 

For audition materials click the link or contact the appropriate faculty member.

  • Flute Band Auditions, Contact Dr. Allred (allredbk@uwec.edu)
  • Oboe Band Auditions, Contact Dr. Garvey (garveycn@uwec.edu)
  • Bassoon Band Auditions, Contact Dr. Jacobs (jacobtre@uwec.edu)
  • Clarinet Band Auditions, Contact Dr. Powell (powellar@uwec.edu)
  • Saxophone Band Auditions, Contact Dr. Vasquez-Ramirez (vasqueme@uwec.edu)
  • Trumpet Band Auditions, Contact Professor Baca (bacarj@uwec.edu)
  • Horn Band Auditions, Contact Prof. Goel (osulliva@uwec.edu)
  • Trombone Band Auditions, Contact Dr. Ostrander (ostranpa@uwec.edu)
  • Euphonium Band Auditions
  • Tuba Band Auditions, Tuba Audition Instructions, Contact Dr. Grewe (grewejm@uwec.edu)
  • Percussion Auditions, Contact Dr. Crowell (croweljw@uwec.edu)

Fall 2023 auditions will be in-person.  Register for an audition time here. If you have a question regarding ensemble auditions contact Dr. Stewart at stewajo@uwec.edu

Marching band
Blugold Marching Band

Dr. Randal Dickerson, director; Prof. David Lofy, assistant director


The Blugold Marching Band (BMB) (MUSI 183) is one of the largest marching bands in the midwest with 475 members. The BMB is comprised of students from virtually every major and department on campus at UW Eau Claire. The BMB performs at BluGold football games, community events, and marching band exhibitions across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Every two years, the BMB travels and performs internationally. Recent international trips include: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Spain, and Italy. During the spring semester, many members of the BMB participate in the newly formed Varsity Band and perform stage shows across the region. Head over to their website for more information!

BMB Website

Blugold Athletic Band

Prof. David Lofy, faculty advisor

As a student-run, faculty-advised student organization, the Blugold Athletic Band is one of our most unique bands on campus. They welcome musicians of all levels and perform at 10-12 basketball games from November-March. If you’re ready to hype up a crowd and cheer on UWEC’s athletes, this is the perfect band for you!

Emma Carlson, Blugold Marching Band

Finding family in the Blugold Marching Band

Communication studies major Emma Carlson knew joining the Blugold Marching Band (BMB) was a way to keep making music during her college years. But she had no idea it was also a way to make friendships and memories that would last a lifetime. The 450+ person band performs at football games and at other Midwest venues, but it also tours internationally, creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for its student members. 

“I'm able to continue my love for music and meet so many amazing individuals — many of whom will continue to be in my life for many years to come,” Emma said. “I also had the opportunity to take a trip to Asia, something that wouldn't have been possible if not for the BMB. There's something so special about joining an ensemble as big as this one but still feeling like you belong and that you are really part of a huge family.” 

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