KUBANDS
Recent activities in the KU Bands: • Wind Ensemble performed the world premiere of Mohammed Fairouz’s Symphony No. 4, In the Shadow of No Towers, at Carnegie Hall, which was reviewed by the New York Times • 5 CD releases on the Naxos Wind Band Classics series • Residencies with composers Steven Bryant, Michael Torke, Frank Ticheli, Joni Greene, and Kevin Walczyk • Performances by the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band at the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference
Prairie Winds Festival is a premier honor band and clinic for outstanding high school musicians. The festival provides an opportunity for advanced instruction for outstanding high school wind, brass, and percussion performers in a supportive, yet challenging, environment. Applications are available online at music.ku.edu/band. Midwestern Music Camp, a summertime KU Music tradition since 1936, is a comprehensive summer music program for students grades 6 through 12. KU faculty design and supervise the Middle School Band & Orchestra Camp, High School Band, Choir, and Orchestra Camp, and KU Jazz Workshop to create ideal environments for students to grow as musicians and leaders. Learn more at music.ku.edu/mmc.
Learn how to join at music.ku.edu/band
KU BANDS & WIND CONDUCTING DIRECTORS Paul W. Popiel Director of Bands Matthew O. Smith Associate Director of Bands Director, Marching Jayhawks Sharon L. Toulouse Assistant Director of Bands
“Performing in KU bands has helped me to grow as a musician in ways that I could only dream of.” Philip Kaul Music Education ‘16 | De Soto, Kansas
WIND ENSEMBLE Described by the New York Times as “one of America’s most esteemed concert bands,” the Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band at the University of Kansas and is conducted by Paul W. Popiel, Director of Bands. Its membership is selected by audition from among the finest wind and percussion players at the University. The ensemble records regularly for the Naxos label, performs internationally, commissions and premieres new works, and hosts outstanding composers, soloists, and conductors. SYMPHONIC BAND The Symphonic Band is an outstanding ensemble consisting of highly talented majors and non-majors from the School of Music and throughout the University, selected by audition. Conducted by Matthew O. Smith, Associate Director of Bands, this ensemble performs a wide range of repertoire for large concert band, including the finest band masterworks, in a full schedule of concerts.
UNIVERSITY BAND The University Band, available to all students at the University of Kansas, is an open admission ensemble requiring no entrance audition. It is conducted by Sharon Toulouse, Assistant Director of Bands. The University Band provides musical challenge and growth, as well as fellowship to all who enjoy performing. MARCHING JAYHAWKS Named by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top Ten college marching bands in the the nation, The University of Kansas Marching Jayhawks are a tradition of excellence dating back over a century. Led by Matthew O. Smith, Associate Director of Bands, the band performs at all home football games, at least one away game a year, and bowl games. The Marching Jayhawks rehearse three afternoons a week, and membership in the band is open to all students at the University, regardless of major.
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.
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