The UW-Milwaukee Band program consists of four performing ensembles; Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, University Community Band, and the Panther Pep 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.
In addition, the band area sponsors one of the longest running and most respected Youth Wind & Percussion Ensemble programs in the country.
Please fill out the ensemble interest form below to join any of our music ensembles, or if you have any questions.
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 recent 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
Open to all UWM students during the first week of fall semester. Audition requirements include a standard solo of your choice (approximately 3 minutes). For music majors and minors, additional band and orchestral excerpts and sight-reading may be required.
Large Ensemble Auditions
The 2023-24 audition form and excerpts for Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, and Wind Ensemble are found below. Updated content is typically available around August 1 each year.
Symphony Band
The Symphony Band ranks as one of the finest of its kind, having collaborated with a number of distinguished composers and performers throughout the past three decades. 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
Open to all UWM students during the first week of fall semester. Audition requirements include a standard solo of your choice (approximately 3 minutes). For music majors and minors, additional band and orchestral 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
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
The University Community Band (UCB) is a concert band designed to enrich your life through the performing arts. Performances take place each semester with repertoire including both standard and contemporary band literature. Instruments are required at the first rehearsal.
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 are asked to perform a short placement audition at the beginning of each semester to determine part assignments. Previous experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument is required.
First-year and transfer students should register with their advisor during New Student Orientation. Returning students should use their PAWS account. Music majors cannot take this course in place of their assigned ensemble.
Community members should register through the School of Continuing Education.
Music Programs
Music studios 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.
Faculty
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 follow the link below.
- Teaching Professor, Instrumental Music Education & Conducting
- Associate Director, University Bands
- Music Director/Conductor, Youth Wind Ensemble (UWAY)
- scorley@uwm.edu
- 414-229-5641
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 342
- Assistant Professor, Instrumental Conducting
- Director, University Bands, New Music Ensemble
- gamboa@uwm.edu
- 414-251-6182
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 348
Entrance Auditions
For Music BA, BFA and Masters programs in Spring and Fall 2024.
• December 1, 2023
• February 9, 2024
• February 19, 2024
• March 8, 2024
• April 5, 2024
Undergraduate Outreach Coordinator
Kay Speidel, music-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Coordinator
Tim Noonan, tpnoonan@uwm.edu
Student Services
Contact Form | 414-229-4763