UWM Music Ensembles, Bands
UWM Music Studios Trombone Tuba Euphonium, ensembles, bands
UWM Music Studios Oboe and Bassoon, ensembles, bands
UWM Music Ensembles, Bands
UWM Music Ensembles, Bands
UWM Music Ensembles, Bands

Band Ensembles

The UW-Milwaukee Band program consists of four performing ensembles; Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Panther Pep Band and University Community Band. Students who participate in the bands present cutting-edge programming in concerts both on campus and in the community. Through recordings, commissioning projects, conference performances, and guest artist residencies, the UW-Milwaukee Band Program has distinguished itself as a leader in the field. Committed to student excellence and serving the needs of students, the band program remains an active part of student life at UWM.

At A Glance

EnsembleMembersAudition
Wind EnsembleOpen to all UWM studentsYES
Symphony BandOpen to all UWM studentsYES
Panther Pep BandOpen to all UWM students enrolled in an ensembleYES *First year only
University Community BandOpen to all UWM students and community membersNO
Youth & Community Ensemble Opportunities
We offer a diverse range of engaging and educational youth and community programs for artists of all ages, from children and teenagers to working adults and retirees. Visit our Youth & Community Programs page to learn more.

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is the premier concert band in the Peck School of the Arts and has been recognized nationally and internationally through numerous invitations to perform at major music conferences. Emphasizing the single performer concept, the Wind Ensemble uses only players needed for a given piece, thus providing the greatest exposure for the exceptional musician. 

Members of the Wind Ensemble have performed for a distinguished list of guest composers including Vincent Persichetti, Karel Husa, Samuel Adler, Fisher Tull, John Mackey, Joseph Schwantner, Frank Ticheli, Warren Benson, Michael Colgrass and Ron Nelson. Noted conductors who have led performances include Craig Kirchhoff, James Croft, Jack Delaney, Mark Scatterday, Lucian Calliet, and Colonel John R. Bourgeois among others.

Recognized for their innovative programming, the Wind Ensemble has performed for a number of prestigious conferences including 16th International Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in San Jose, CA, the National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) in Greensboro, NC, and the North Central Divisional Conference of the College Band Directors National Association at Central Michigan University.

Auditions & Membership

Wind Ensemble is open to all UWM students following an audition at the start of fall semester. Audition requirements include a standard solo of your choice (approx. 3 minutes). For music majors and minors, additional excerpts and sight-reading may be required.

Symphony Band

The Symphony Band ranks as one of the finest of its kind, having collaborated with several distinguished composers and performers. Comprised primarily of music majors, the ensemble provides a wide range of repertoire and performs approximately six concerts each year. 

The Symphony Band is also involved in educational clinics, commissioning projects and can be heard along-side the UWM Wind Ensemble on several compact disc recordings.

Auditions & Membership

Symphony Band is open to all UWM students following an audition at the start of fall semester. Audition requirements include a standard solo of your choice (approx. 3 minutes). For music majors and minors, additional excerpts and sight-reading may be required.

Panther Pep Band

The Panther Pep Band performs at each home Men’s and Women’s Basketball games. Membership is open to any student by audition, and who is also enrolled in any Department of Music large ensemble. Panther Band regularly travels for the Horizon League and NCAA National Basketball Championships. In addition to performing at games, students earn a stipend for each service they perform with Panther Band!

Auditions & Membership

Panther Pep Band is open to all UWM students enrolled in ensembles. First-year woodwind/brass students are required to audition. Audition information is distributed through ensemble class meetings. Rhythm section positions are appointed and previous member positions are annually re-affirmed by the director.

University Community Band

University Community Band is open to UWM students and community members of all skill levels. Performances take place each semester and the repertoire include both standard and contemporary band literature. 

Auditions & Membership

Open to UWM students and community members of all skill levels (musicians under 18 accepted with instructor permission). There is no formal audition, however participants perform a placement reading each semester to determine part assignments. Previous experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument is required. Enrollment is on a first come first served basis with an opportunity to be placed on a waiting list.

Students seeking college credit should register via PAWS in one of the following: MUS 30 (non-music majors for 1 unit), MUS 334 (music majors or non-music majors for 3 units), MUS 730 (grad students). First-year and transfer students should register with their advisor during New Student Orientation. Music majors cannot take this in place of their assigned ensemble.

Non-credit students and community members should register through the School of Continuing Education.

Music Programs

Music studios and ensembles are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of programs offered by the Department of Music.

Choral Director Zack Durlam gestures to the audience after receiving a standing ovation at the Zelazo Center.
MajorOn Campus
Music BFA
MajorOn Campus
Professor Rene Izquierdo sits in a chair next to a music performance mm student while both explore classical guitar chords.
Master’sOn Campus
Music Minor
MinorOn Campus
Music Composition and Theory MM
Master’sOn Campus
Music Conducting MM
Master’sOn Campus
Music Education BFA
MajorOn Campus
Music Education MM
Master’sOn Campus
Music History and Literature MM
Master’sOn Campus
Music Performers Certificate
Graduate CertificateOn Campus
Music String Pedagogy MM
Master’sOn Campus

Faculty & Directors

Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please click the button below.


Scott Corley Headshot
  • Teaching Professor, Instrumental Music Education & Conducting
  • Director, Symphony Band, Panther Pep Band
  • Music Director/Conductor, Youth Wind Ensemble (UWAY)
Thomas Gamboa HEADSHOT
  • Assistant Professor, Instrumental Conducting
  • Director, Wind Ensemble, New Music Ensemble, University Community Band
John Woger Headshot
  • Associate Conductor/Co-Director, Youth Wind Ensemble (UWAY)
Important Dates
Music

Undergraduate Entrance Auditions
Music BA/BFA enrollment for Spring & Fall 2026.

Friday, December 5, 2025
Monday, February 16, 2026
Friday, March 6, 2026
Friday, April 3, 2026
Or by video submission

Graduate Applications
Fall: March 1 | Spring: December 1
Applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may not be processed in time for the intended semester.

Contact
Music

Undergraduate Programs
Scotlyn Haverkorn, music-admission@uwm.edu

Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu

General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763

Upcoming Music Events