Bands
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 frequently appeared on national TV 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. All members of the GBMB—including the wind sections, drumline, colorguard and feature twirlers—are selected through an audition process.MORE
The 鶹ѰBoulder Buff Band is an ensemble of roughly 120 student musicians who perform at home basketball games, volleyball games and other 鶹Ѱathletic events throughout the academic year. Members of the band travel with the teams to represent 鶹Ѱat the Big 12 Basketball Tournaments, NIT Tournaments and NCAA Tournaments. To join this ensemble, wind musicians (woodwind and brass) must be current members of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. Performance opportunities on the drum set and electric bass are open to all students on campus through an audition process held every September. For information about the audition process or to get more information, contact the Associate Director of Bands or the Assistant Director of Bands.
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 and Campus Bands comprise both music majors and non-music majors. Exploring traditional and contemporary works for wind bands, 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.
Fall semester Concert Band:
The fall semester Concert Band is non-auditioned and open to all students with 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 from 7-9:30 p.m.
Spring semester Campus Band:
The spring semester Campus Band is non-auditioned and open to all students with 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 Mondays from 7-9:50 p.m.
Spring semester Concert Band:
The spring semester Concert Band meets weekly on Monday and Wednesday from 4:40-6:40 p.m.To participate in the spring semester Concert Band, please complete the required playing demonstration listed below and submitit viaby midnight on December 6th.To ensure a balanced musical ensemble experience, certain instrument sections may be capped as determined by the director based on the playing demonstration.
Students will be notified of their placement results on or by the final day of the fall semester. Accepted students will enroll in: “鶹ѰBoulder Concert Band” EMUS 1317/3317. Any changes to spring ensemble enrollment should be made immediately following the audition result notification. Students not placed in Concert Band are welcome and encouraged to register for “鶹ѰBoulder Campus Band” EMUS 1017/3017.
Percussion:Please contact Interim Associate Director of Bands Logan Sorey,richard.sorey@colorado.edu.
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, a chromatic scale in eigth notes at 120 bpm, or as close to it as you are able.
- A 45-60 secondexcerpt of your choosing that demonstrates your playing ability (i.e., instrument-specific etudes, prior honor band audition materials, excerpts from prior band/orchestra music).
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
Shanti Simon
Professor of Conducting
Director, Bands
Logan Sorey
Assistant Professor of Conducting + Music Education
Associate Director, Bands
Director, Golden Buffalo Marching Band
Director, 鶹ѰBoulder Summer Music Academy
AndrewKeiser
Assistant Teaching Professor of Conducting + Music Education
Assistant Director, Bands
Contact
Shanti Simon
Professor of Conducting
Director, Bands
shanti.simon@colorado.edu