About GW Bands
Who We Are
GW Bands is an inclusive instrumental music organization at the George Washington University dedicated to producing quality musical performances, promoting school spirit, fostering strong friendships, and serving the community. Our membership spans a wide variety of majors and interests, all brought together by a shared love of music. Any and all GW students, undergraduate and graduate, are welcome to join GW Bands.
What We Do
GW Bands consists of three instrumental ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the Foghorns Pep Band. All three ensembles rehearse twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year. The two concert bands, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, are 1-credit classes and perform at least one concert a semester. The Foghorns Pep Band performs at every home women's and men's basketball game as well at various events around campus throughout the year. In addition to playing music, we organize an array of social events and band traditions to bond and have fun together!
Where We Are
All three GW Bands ensembles rehearse in Phillips room B120, located in the basement of Phillips Hall on the GWU Foggy Bottom campus. The concert bands have performed in on-campus venues such as the beautiful Lisner Auditorium, and Wind Ensemble gets to perform at Commencement on the National Mall! Foghorns plays at every home basketball game in the Charles E. Smith Center and performs at various events around campus, including at annual GW traditions like First Night. Foghorns also gets the opportunity to perform at the A-10 Men's and Women's Championship Tournaments every year; past tournaments have been held at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. and the Barclays Center in New York City!
When We Do It
GW Bands is active throughout the academic year. Each ensemble rehearses twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday, according to the following schedule:
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Wind Ensemble: 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM ET
Symphonic Band: 5:10 PM - 6:25 PM ET
Dinner Break
Foghorns: 7:10 PM - 8:15 PM ET
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The concert bands perform two concerts a year, one toward the end of the Fall semester and one toward the end of the Spring semester. During basketball season (November through March), Foghorns typically performs at one to two games per week. Foghorns also performs at various events throughout the school year. ​
Why & How: Our Vision
We will utilize our resources to support GW Bands and student musicians in their musical experiences at George Washington University. We endeavor to enhance students’ musical skills, create unique performance opportunities, deliver tools and resources to participants, and support music education by promoting awareness of music’s impact on student growth and achievement. We also look to create a close-knit community on GW’s campus and provide all members with a safe place to explore their musical passions and academic inclinations.
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As an organization, we are open to all. However, we recognize the inequities that exist on this campus. As a result, we are committed to continuous growth and improvement to foster a community that is as accessible, inclusive, and equitable as possible. This means recognizing that diversity and equity are not a destination; rather, we must continuously work towards making this space accessible to all of our members, not just those that have this space readily available to them. We acknowledge that our responsibilities to equity and justice extend beyond our organization and we commit ourselves to learning about and serving the greater DC community.
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We are a band, so musicianship is a vital component of our existence. Nevertheless, we use music as a vehicle. The time and effort we place into practice and performance; the skills we develop; and the lessons we learn are modes for personal and community enrichment.
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At the end of their tenure with GW Bands, we hope every member leaves with improved musicianship, a strong passion for music, and most importantly, a community that will remain with them far after graduation.
