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Performance Opportunities: Instrumental

University Wind Symphony

This select ensemble is composed of the most outstanding wind and percussion players in the School of Music and the university. The mission of this group is to perform the best literature available for winds while emphasizing soloistic performance with one player on each part. The ensemble's CD recordings A Shared Vision of Excellence and The Divine Comedy are enjoying favorable reviews both nationally and internationally. The Wind Ensemble has performed at the Virginia Music Educators Conference and maintains an active concert schedule of performances on and off campus each semester.

University Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band numbers about 75 students in total. Open to all university students, this versatile ensemble performs both standard and new repertoire for the concert band. Each semester the ensemble hosts guest conductors enrolled in the Master of Arts degree in Conducting at GMU. The ensemble has performed with numerous guest artists including Dale Underwood, Scott Shelsta, Dennis Edelbrock, and Russell Penney.

Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble performs annually at the GMU Arts Gala, the Faculty Holiday Dinner/Dance, and the Jazz 4 Justice Benefit Concert. In addition to regularly scheduled concerts on campus, the ensemble enjoys an active and diversified performance schedule that includes mini-tours to local schools and performances for a variety of civic and community events. Guest soloists have included such jazz artists as Doc Severinsen, Allen Vizzutti, Chris Vadala, and John Pizzarelli. The ensemble performs all styles of big band jazz and is open to all university students by audition.

The University Symphony Orchestra is composed of outstanding wind and percussion players in the School of Music and the university. The orchestra maintains an active performance schedule including the traditional Holiday Concert and the Music Benefit Concert, annually featuring winners of the schoolwide Concerto Competition. In addition to performing significant works from the orchestral repertoire, the ensemble performs regularly with the GMU Choruses and featured guest artists and conductors including Leonard Slatkin, Doc Severinsen, Allen Vizzutti, Leon Bates, and Misha Dichter.

Pep Band "Doc Nix and the Green Machine"

This spirited student group generates enthusiasm and excitement at home basketball events and various campus activities. Performing for thousands of spectators throughout the basketball season, the group travels to the play-off finals each March to support the men's and women's teams. The Patriot Pep Band provides a unique link between music and athletics, and often makes appearances with the cheerleaders, Masonettes, and Gunston the mascot. This popular organization offers many scholarships to students, and provides a musical opportunity for all GMU students to participate in promoting school spirit and morale.

Chamber Ensembles

Larger chamber groups include percussion, brass, and flute ensembles. Various smaller chamber ensembles are formed each semester ranging from guitar duos and piano trios to brass and woodwind quintets. These ensembles are credit bearing and are coached by faculty members. The groups perform in a recital near the conclusion of each semester.