Concert Bands

GW Bands is the home of Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, auditioned concert band ensembles in the George Washington University’s Corcoran School of the Arts & Design. Both ensembles rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The ensembles perform classic, contemporary and newly composed wind music with on-campus performances in the Fall and Spring.
 

Both Wind Ensemble (CMUS 1085) and Symphonic Band (CMUS 1083) are concert band classes. Each ensemble is a 1-credit, pass/fail class. However, students with a full academic load are allowed to take band at zero credits with an $85 fee. Course credit for CMUS 1083/1085 appears on your transcript and counts towards the 120 credits required for completion of an undergraduate degree. 3 credits of CMUS 1083/1085 in 3 semesters can be also used to fulfill requirements for a Music major or minor. 

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Membership in both groups is open to students from all schools and departments at GW, including all undergraduate and graduate programs. Students do not have to be Music majors or minors to join GW Bands. Membership in either concert band requires instructor approval via a short audition each academic year. Everyone who auditions is automatically welcomed into Symphonic Band. Auditions determine seat placement in both ensembles and acceptance into Wind Ensemble. If accepted into Wind Ensemble, a student can choose to play in one or both concert bands. Auditions are held at the beginning of the Fall semester, the beginning of the Spring semester, and on a case by case basis for anyone who joins throughout the year. Band members only need to audition once a school year. Fall audition materials will be emailed out over the summer. Learn more about the audition process.