Concert Bands

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble consists of the most outstanding wind and percussion students, selected by audition, at the University of North Dakota. Promoting the finest in wind literature available, the ensemble performs with nationally renowned guest conductors and soloists, and has premiered new works for winds and percussion. They tour regularly and have established a reputation for musical excellence through state, regional and national conference appearances.

MUSC 270
MW 3-3:50 p.m. and TTH 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Director: Dr. James Popejoy

University Band

Members of the University Band come from many different academic disciplines and enjoy the opportunity to grow musically throughout their college years. The group performs several concerts during each academic year. In lieu of a formal audition, a short playing interview to determine part assignments is scheduled at the beginning of each semester.

MUSC 271
TTH 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Director: Dr. James Popejoy

Audition Information

All UND students are encouraged to participate in as many ensembles as they feel they have the time and interest for. Ensembles in the band area include: Wind Ensemble; University Band; Jazz Bands & Combos; “Pride of the North” Marching Band; Basketball, Hockey & Volleyball Bands. Please understand that all UND ensembles are open to all students regardless of major.

Rehearsal Schedule

• University Band rehearses Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:30-1:45 pm
• Wind Ensemble rehearses Mondays, 3:00-3:50 pm; Tue & Thu 3:30-4:45 pm
• Wind Ensemble Chamber Players rehearse Wednesdays, 3:00-3:50 pm

Audition Schedule

If you are interested in participating in the Wind Ensemble or University Band, auditions will be held during the first week of classes. This audition will help determine ensemble placement and part assignments. Please note that the University Band is an open ensemble (all students who enroll may participate), however all students (both new and returning) should plan to play during the first week auditions. You do not have to be currently enrolled in a concert band to participate in the auditions.

Auditions for all other ensembles in the UND Music Department are held the first week of classes as well. Students interested in the “Pride of the North” Marching Band and all other Athletic Bands, should complete the registration form. There is no audition for membership in the Marching Band, however rehearsals begin prior to the first day of classes.

At the Audition

Please come to your audition prepared to the best of your ability. While these auditions are not meant to be stressful, the better prepared you are, the easier it is to make decisions concerning placement and part assignments. For those students interested in playing in the UND Wind Ensemble, please note that the competition will be quite strong in many of the sections.

We would like to hear the following at your audition:

1. A major scale of your choice and a chromatic scale (ascending & descending; your choice of styles; as many octaves as you feel comfortable on both).
2. Two short prepared solo excerpts or etudes which will demonstrate both your lyrical and technical playing ability.
3. Two short sight-reading excerpts.

NOTE: Flutists who would like to play piccolo should plan to play some during their flute audition if possible. Percussionists should perform on both snare drum and mallets if at all possible; timpani is optional. If you are interested in playing piano with either ensemble as the need arises, it would be helpful to hear you play at this time as well.

Sign Up for Your Audition

Please sign-up for an audition time on the bulletin board outside Dr. Popejoy's office (Hughes Fine Arts Center, Room 126). Auditions will be scheduled in “like instrument” categories whenever possible:

• Tuesday: Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, Piano
• Wednesday: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
• Thursday: Brass, String Bass, Percussion

Meetings

We will have two organizational meetings during the first scheduled class times of the University Band (Tuesday, 12:30 pm) and Wind Ensemble (Tuesday, 3:30 pm). Please plan to attend one of these meetings, even if you are not currently enrolled in either ensemble. At that time, we will provide additional information to you, take care of instrument and locker check-out (please bring your own combination lock), and discuss other related issues. We do have some school instruments available for students to use. Audition results will be posted on Friday of the first week of classes. Wind Ensemble and University Band rehearsals will begin the second week of classes.

Director of Bands