Wind Band Activities
Welcome to the Georgia State University Bands webpage. We are pleased to offer a comprehensive program to the Georgia State University community. We invite you to browse our page where you will learn about each of our performing ensembles and our annual High School Honor Band.
Our performing ensembles, each of which is open to any Georgia State student by audition, include:
- Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- Wind Orchestra
- Chamber Winds
- Panther Basketball Band
- Marching Band - coming soon!
Students interested in the Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting degree progam may view the program description for audition information and degree requirements.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Robert J Ambrose, Director of Bands at robertambrose@gsu.edu or 404-413-5942.
Under the direction of Dr. Ambrose, the Georgia State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble is quickly gaining recognition as one of the finest wind bands in the region. Their recent performances have been met with critical acclaim for musical artistry and innovative programming.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is comprised of the finest woodwind, brass and percussion players in the School of Music who are selected each semester by audition. The ensemble's repertoire is drawn from significant literature written for wind ensemble, symphonic band and chamber winds. Most literature is performed with one player assigned to each part. In 2004 the Symphonic Wind Ensemble was chosen to perform at both the Georgia Music Educators (GMEA) In-Service and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Southern Division Conferences. In 2006, the ensemble was selected to perform again at the CBDNA Southern Division Conference, earning the coveted featured performance spot.
Alumni of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble hold positions in many of the leading orchestras, bands and chamber ensembles in the country. Among them are Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians Michael Moore, tuba; Brice Andrus, principal horn; Joseph Walthall, trumpet; and Donald Wells, bass trombone. Other notable alumni include Charles Vernon, bass trombone, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Peter Bond, trumpet, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Steven Norrell, bass trombone, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; and James Fonts, trumpet, Pershing's Own United States Army Band.
Each year, nationally and internationally recognized artists are featured with the ensemble as guest soloists, conductors and composers-in-residence. Recent composer residencies include Michael Colgrass (2005), Jack Stamp (2005), John Harbison (2004) and David Maslanka (2000). Recent guest artists include Alexander Mickelthwate, assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2003) and H. Robert Reynolds and the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings (2002) to name only a few. In 2006 the ensemble will host Pulitzer Prize winning composer Leslie Bassett on campus.
Non-majors interested in auditioning for Symphonic Wind Ensemble should contact Dr. Ambrose for audition dates and requirements.
The Wind Orchestra is an outstanding ensemble consisting of highly talented music majors from the School of Music and non-majors from throughout the university. The Wind Orchestra is conducted by Dr. Ambrose as well as graduate students in the Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting degree program.
This ensemble performs a wide range of repertoire for large concert band including the finest band masterworks in a full schedule of concerts. Audition is for seating purposes only and the ensemble is open to any student with prior instrumental experience.
Interested students should register as follows:
- MUS1061-001 Freshman/Sophomore undergrad
- MUS3061-001 Junior/Senior undergrad
- MUS7061-001 Graduate students
The Georgia State University Chamber Winds is an elite ensemble consisting of the finest woodwind and brass players chosen from the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. Repertoire is drawn from the most significant literature written for chamber wind ensemble including music of Mozart, Varèse, Poulenc, Weill, Stravinsky, Britten and countless others. The Chamber Winds regularly perform to audiences both on- and off-campus.
The Panther Basketball Band is open to all university students by audition. The band performs at all men's and women's home basketball games and at all tournament appearances for both teams, providing a large part of the atmosphere in the sports arena. Recent tournaments have brought the band to the Georgia Dome and Philips Arena as well as to Orlando, Knoxville, and Troy, Alabama. The band has appeared numerous times on national television. Students selected to perform with the Basketball Band are given a stipend which is commensurate with the number of rehearsals and games attended.
Auditions are held in late September with rehearsals beginning in October. The basketball season runs from late November until March. For more information contact Basketball Band Director Chester B. Phillips.
The marching band will begin its inaugural season in the fall of 2010. Marching Band is open to all university students by audition. The band will perform at all home football games and other related events throughout the fall. Georgia State's corps style marching band will perform intricate drill and high energy music and will consist of brass, woodwinds, percussion, and auxiliaries. Those who seek membership must demonstrate performance mastery through an audition. Auditions will be held in the later part of the spring semester 2010. All interested students should fill out a student information form. For more information contact marching band director, Chester B. Phillips. Auditions for membership in the band will be held later in the spring semester 2010.
Due to programmatic restructuring, we have decided to cancel the 2010 High School Honor Band program. We will offer new programming for High School band, jazz and wind orchestra students soon. Please check the Community Music Programs website regularly for updates.
