WWU Bands

Director of Bands

Introduction

There are performing opportunities for everyone – music majors and non-majors alike – in Western’s band program. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to take part in one of the three bands on campus! Ensemble Auditions for Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony will take place each year before the academic year begins in September.

 

Close-up of women playing flutes in the Western Band

Wind Symphony

Brass · Percussion · Woodwinds

The Wind Symphony, a select group of Western Washington University's finest musicians, performs literature from the standard wind band repertoire as well as music from some of today's best living composers. The Wind Symphony performs in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall, a state-of-the-art, acoustically thrilling hall seating 645 patrons.

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Close-up of a woman playing french horn in the Western Band

Symphonic Band

Brass · Percussion · Woodwinds

No audition needed!

The Symphonic Band includes eighty-plus players performing standard literature for concert band by composers such as Holst, Grainger, Sousa, and Reed as well as contemporary works. The Symphonic Band rehearses Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Bassoon player looks at a music stand in front of him as he performs with calm focus.

Symphonic Winds

The Western Washington University Symphonic Winds is comprised of outstanding instrumentalists from the Department of Music and throughout the WWU community. The ensemble studies and performs a diverse body of repertoire, ranging from standard wind band literature to contemporary works for winds and percussion. Participation is open to all WWU students regardless of area of study by means of auditions held at the beginning of the fall quarter.

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Non-music majors/minors only interested in auditioning for Symphonic Winds may perform a prepared solo or etude in place of the required excerpts. Note: auditioning with these excerpts does not guarantee placement.

Viking Band members pose with their instruments outside the Western Recreation Center

Viking Athletic Band

Brass · Percussion · Woodwinds

More Info

No audition needed!

The Western Washington University Viking Band is a large pep band consisting of both music majors and non-music majors. The Viking Band plays at all home WWU Volleyball, WWU Men's and Women's Basketball Games at Carver Gym, creating an energetic and positive environment for students and fans by supporting our teams with high-energy music and loud cheering.

Registration

All students must register for an ensemble to participate. The only exception is Viking Band, which is not offered as a course. Students will not be able to register for an auditioned ensemble until after auditions results have been posted in September. Students may register for University Treble and Tenor/Bass choirs at any time through Web4U.

Credits

Each course is repeatable for credit and can be used towards graduation requirements, including upper-division, elective, and total 180 credits required.

Looking for more information?

If you have any questions, we're happy to find you an answer. Call the Music Department Office 360-650-3130, or view the directory of faculty and staff.