Band Activities

In addition to degree pathways in Instrumental Performance and Wind Ensemble Conducting, the School of Music supports a range of auditioned and non-auditioned ensemble bands—four in all—open to majors and non-majors from throughout the university.

The band community at the University of Washington-the largest of its kind on the West Coast- encompasses both the academic degree programs in wind conducting and a diverse array of ensembles offering performance possibilities for students from throughout the UW, regardless of major field of study.

Conducting

The highly selective master and doctoral degree programs in wind conducting offer individualized training under the leadership of program chair Timothy Salzman in an interactive environment of collaborative research and musical exploration. Graduate wind conducting students work with faculty conductors of the UW’s four wind bands and are engaged in every facet of conducting, guiding each ensemble through various on-campus performances, outreach endeavors, international touring opportunities, and interactions with renowned soloists, composers, and guest conductors from around the world. Wind conducting students rehearse and conduct quarterly performances with the Campus and Concert Bands as well as the UW Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. 

Performance Opportunities

The UW’s wind bands perform on campus and at concert halls and venues locally and internationally. The Wind Ensemble also performs at regional and national conferences and festivals, including its 2011 appearance at the national conference of the College Band Directors National Association, which the UW hosted with leadership of faculty and graduate students in the wind conducting program.

LEARN MORE:
WIND ENSEMBLE  |  SYMPHONIC BAND  |  CONCERT/CAMPUS BANDS  |  HUSKY MARCHING BAND

Pacific Northwest Band Festival

The University of Washington Pacific Northwest Band Festival is a non-competitive event featuring middle and high school bands from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Each band performs and is briefly coached by an internationally recognized clinician. Students also have the opportunity to attend master classes given by the UW School of Music faculty and qualified upper-level students. At the end of the festival day, selected students from each of the bands will have the opportunity to play in the final concert given by the UW Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band. Ensembles are highly encouraged to stay for the entire day to observe other groups' performances, participate in master classes, and enjoy the final concert.