Music
Bands
Click below for Ensemble Placement Hearing information!
Email Dr. Martin Gaines, Director of Bands and Orchestra if you have questions: mgaines@uwlax.edu
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers a variety of bands designed to meet the artistic and educational needs of UW-La Crosse students. Students from all academic disciplines are invited to participate in the band program. Membership in every band is open to any interested and qualified UW-La Crosse student.
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Ensemble Placement Hearings
UWL Ensemble Placement Hearings for Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra – All are welcome!
Participation in the UWL Bands and Orchestra is open to all interested and qualified UW-La Crosse students regardless of major. Placement hearings set the initial chair placement for each ensemble.
All hearings take place in Annett Recital Hall (except as marked). Please arrive as close to the start time of your instrument group as possible. If the following blocks of time do not align with your schedule, email Dr. Gaines to schedule an alternative time (this is rare). Schedule follows:
Sunday, August 31
1:00p to 3:00p - All Clarinets
3:30p to 4:30p - Double reeds
4:30p to 5:30p - Horns
5:30p to 6:30p - Trumpets
6:30p to 7:30p – Percussion (CFA 56)
Monday, September 1 (Labor Day)
2:00p to 3:30p - Flutes
3:30p to 5:00p - All Saxophones
5:00p - 6:30p – Trombones/Euphoniums/Tubas
Tuesday, September 3
1:10p (class time) - any remaining Concert Band members (CFA 56)
Wednesday, September 4
7:00p (class time) – Strings (CFA 56)
What to prepare:
Winds & Strings
• Any two major scales (full range with arpeggios) and (for winds only) a chromatic scale (full range).
• A solo piece (no accompaniment needed) or other excerpt of your choosing (make logical cuts so that you do not to exceed two minutes).
• Sight-reading (provided).
Percussion
• Keyboards – Prepare any two majors scales (full range with arpeggios) & Chromatic scale (full range).
• Prepare a solo piece or other excerpt of your choosing on Snare Drum and/or keyboard instrument (not to exceed two minutes).
• *Sight-reading (provided).
MUS 103 Concert Band (Fall) and MUS 144 Symphonic Band (Spring) is open to all individuals on campus who wish to continue performing on their instrument. Class registration is required for each ensemble. If you need to loan an instrument from UWL, please contact Dr. Gaines, Director of Bands and Orchestra (mgaines@uwlax.edu).
Wind Ensemble
Dr. Martin I. Gaines, conductor
The UWL Wind Ensemble is committed to performing diverse, relevant, contemporary literature reflecting the diversity of its members while also creating moving performances of masterworks of the wind band repertoire. This ensemble is open to all university students by audition and provides students and the surrounding community with rich and rewarding experiences. The Wind Ensemble performs at least two concerts each semester and often participates in collaborative efforts across the community. You must enroll in MUS 140 and audition for the ensemble in the information provided above. The Wind Ensemble rehearses Monday and Wednesday from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in CFA 56.
For more information contact Dr. Gaines at mgaines@uwlax.edu or during student hours in 142 Lowe Center for the Arts.
Concert Band
Dr. Martin I. Gaines, conductor
The UWL Concert Band is a non-auditioned fall concert ensemble that meets in the fall semester and is designed for any student who wishes to continue playing their instrument in college. This ensemble performs a variety of music from classic band repertoire to new works. The Concert Band rehearses Tuesday and Thursday from 1:10-2:05p.m. in CFA 56, and they perform twice a semester.
To enroll, register for MUS 103, and contact Dr. Gaines (mgaines@uwlax.edu) if you need an instrument. You are encouraged to attend the Labor Day weekend ensemble placement hearings; otherwise, Dr. Gaines will hear you play on the first day of classes for an initial part placement.
Screaming Eagles Marching Band
SEMB website
Dr. Tammy Fisher, Director
The Screaming Eagles Marching Band (SEMB) is an exciting ensemble that energizes the spectators of UWL’s new state of the art football stadium. The ensemble captivates its audiences at regional exhibition performances and tears up the pavement as it marches down the street during parades. The SEMB has also performed at Green Bay Packer football games and special events in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Membership in the SEMB is open to all UWL, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College students!
Symphonic Band
Dr. Tammy Fisher, Conductor
The Symphonic Band is open to all UW-La Crosse students regardless of major. This group provides a challenging and rewarding atmosphere for anyone who wishes to continue playing without the stress of an audition. Although the Symphonic Band performs less difficult music, emphasis is still placed on musical excellence. The band rehearses during the Spring Semester on Tuesday-Thursday from 4:45 – 6:15 p.m. in CFA 56.
Course Registration
All music ensembles are a one-credit course. Students are required to enroll in the course through WINGS. Students from area institutions (Viterbo, Western Technical College) are welcome to join our program and should contact the director of the ensemble in which they would like to participate. If you have a course conflict or credit hour need, please discuss with the director.
Dr. Martin Gaines (mgaines@uwlax.edu):
Concert Band (MUS 103)
Wind Ensemble (MUS 140)
Symphony Orchestra (MUS 156)
Dr. Tammy Fisher (tfisher@uwlax.edu):
Screaming Eagles Marching Band (MUS 100)
Symphonic Band (MUS 144)
Instruments
Please email your ensemble director to request an instrument.
Students can check out instruments on loan (without charge) from the UWL Music Department. Ensemble Directors must provide written permission to the Music Department Office (dbashaw@uwlax.edu). Check-out of instruments are run through the Music Office, CFA 234.
Dr. Martin Gaines (mgaines@uwlax.edu):
Concert Band (MUS 103)
Wind Ensemble (MUS 140)
Symphony Orchestra (MUS 156)
Dr. Tammy Fisher (tfisher@uwlax.edu):
Screaming Eagles Marching Band (MUS 100)
Symphonic Band (MUS 144)
Emails from the Directors to the music office will suffice to initiate the instrumental loan process. Times to pick up instruments will be posted no later than the last week of August.
For more information:
For more information on the UWL Bands, please contact us!
Dr. Martin Gaines (mgaines@uwlax.edu):
Concert Band (MUS 103)
Wind Ensemble (MUS 140)
Symphony Orchestra (MUS 156)
Dr. Tammy Fisher (tfisher@uwlax.edu):
Screaming Eagles Marching Band (MUS 100)
Symphonic Band (MUS 144)
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Truman T. Lowe Center for the Arts
Department of Music
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
608.785.8409