BYU bands and ensembles

Last updated

BYU has a broad array of bands and ensembles. Most of which are a part of the programs of the School of Music in the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications, primarily either in the Department of Bands or the Jazz Studies Department.

Contents

History

The first band at the original Brigham Young Academy (BYA) was organized in about 1900 by Albert Miller (birth name Ernest Ludwig Adelbert Muller, lived 1875–1906), a German Mormon who was recruited to be on the music faculty at BYA by Anthony C. Lund in 1901. In 1901 Miller recruited as his assistant Robert Sauer, who he had known in Dresden, Germany before immigrating to America.

In 1906, after Miller died, Robert Sauer (1873–1944), a German convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, became the director of the BYU band. Sauer remained the band director until 1942. At the end of Sauer's time as band director, BYU had one band that had 35 instruments.

John R. Halliday then became the band director in 1942. During his eight-year tenure, BYU's band department expanded to 3 bands with 225 people playing instruments. Halliday would remain with BYU, with the exception of two years he did post-doctoral studies at the University of Southern California until his retirement in 1976 (when he became president of the Italy Milan Mission) but would spend most of the next 25 years as a director of choirs. [1]

In 1950, Norman Hunt became the director of BYU bands. In 1953, Ralph G. Laycock became the director of BYU bands.

Wind Symphony

The BYU Wind Symphony has 45-members. Over the years it has performed in many locations across the United States and twenty other countries. It is currently directed by Dr. Shawn Smith.

Symphonic Band

The BYU Symphonic Band is an audition band with about 75 members. Many members are music-majors but the audition is offered to students from all majors of study. The band performs two concerts per semester.

University Bands

There are two non-audition University Bands. Each group rehearses one night per week during Winter semester in preparation for their annual concert at the end of the semester.

Cougar Marching Band

BYU Cougar Marching Band at halftime BYU Marching Band half-time (46029545984).jpg
BYU Cougar Marching Band at halftime

Known today as the "Power of the Wasatch", The BYU Cougar Marching Band was first organized in 1908 by Robert Sauer who wrote the well known tune "When It's Springtime in the Rockies". Years later, in 1943, the band was found as part of the school´s ROTC. In 1953, control of the band was given to the College of Fine Arts (which still sponsors the band today) with Richard A. Ballou as its director and Grant Elkington as the first drum major. Since then the band has been led under the direction of Elkington, Bruce Bastian, Dan Bachelder, David Blackinton, and Donald Peterson. [2]

Today the Marching Band is a 225-member band directed by Fred McInnis. Prior to 2008, the band held rehearsals in the parking lot of the Marriott Center and utilized storage space inside Conference Center, which sits adjacent to the Caroline Hemenway Harman Building. The current home of the BYU Marching Band is the Cougar Marching Band Hall, which includes rehearsal space, instrument storage areas, and band staff offices. It was built and completed in 2008 and is located in the southwest corner of LaVell Edwards Stadium. [3] The band rehearses in the west stadium parking lot next to Lavell Edwards Stadium. In 2011 a permanent rehearsal tower, with an integrated sound system and two observation levels, was built in the parking lot for use by the marching band.

The band puts on pregame and halftime shows at all home football games and will generally travel with the team versus in state rivals and for postseason bowl appearances. The band has a tradition of marching from the baseball complex into LaVell Edwards Stadium about forty-five minutes before each game begins, stopping in front of the Cougar statue outside the southwest corner of the stadium to play for fans about to enter the stands. Shortly after the conclusion of each game, the band lines up and marches to the same spot outside the stadium to offer a short concert to fans lingering after the game, always concluding with the singing of BYU's traditional "College Song".

The band also performs at the Rocky Mountain Marching Band Invitational, a high school competition hosted by the school the second Tuesday of October each year, and in its own concert towards the end of the season in November in the deJong Concert Hall on campus.

To become part of the BYU Cougar Marching Band, potential participants must be actively attending Brigham Young University. To apply, potential participants got to the Marching Band website [4] and select for the band to reach out to the potential participant for an audition.

The main cadence for the drumline is called synergy and is a collection of different cadences and changes in some way every year. The band participates via vocals which are scattered throughout the piece. The average size of the drumline is 5 bases, 5 tenors, 8–10 snares, and 8–10 cymbals. The Drumline holds their camp one week prior to the general band camp.

Visitor's Fight Song (since 2023)

ROC Bands

BYU has two pep bands that perform at both men's and women's basketball games respectively. Referred to as the ROC (Roar Of Cougars) Bands, named after the BYU Student Sections at athletic events, the pep bands perform at most regular season home games and often travel with the team in post-season tournaments. [5] Through their music they help pump up the crowd and create the excitement found in the college hoops atmosphere at the Marriott Center.

Jazz ensembles

BYU has a large array of Jazz ensembles. Three of these perform music in the Big Band tradition. The premier band in this group is Synthesis which was founded by K. Newell Dayley and is currently directed by Ray Smith. Synthesis has performed at several Jazz festivals in many locations in the US as well as in some other countries. The Jazz Ensemble functions as the training group for Synthesis and is currently directed by Mark Ammons. Their performance schedule is less expansive than Synthesis', primarily performing in Provo and its immediate vicinity when performing beyond BYU Campus. There is also the Jazz Lab Band, which performs twice a year on campus.

Smaller groups in different styles include Q'd Up the Faculty Jazz quintet that as of 2011 consisted of Ray Smith, Steve Lindeman, Matt Larson, Jay Lawrence and Ron Brough. There is also the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band which has performed across the US, the Salsa Combo and then 5 other groups that perform in "casual" format. The salsa and other five combos are all directed by Jay Lawrence.

There are also three Jazz vocal groups. Jazz Voices, Vocal Point and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Other ensembles

BYU has three other faculty ensembles: Orpheus Winds, Brassworks, and the American Piano Quartet.

Other student ensembles include the Clarinet Choir, the Flute Choir, the Trombone Choir, The Brass Chamber Music group, the String Chamber Music Group, and the Woodwind Chamber Music Group. There is also a collection of folk music ensembles, some of which work with the BYU International Folk Dancers. [6]

Percussion

Besides performing in many of the bands listed above, BYU's percussion section also has a percussion ensemble.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School</span> Specialized high school in New York City

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, often referred to simply as LaGuardia or "LaG", is a public high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts, located near Lincoln Center in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of the Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York City. Located at 100 Amsterdam Avenue between West 64th and 65th Streets, the school is operated by the New York City Department of Education, and resulted from the merger of the High School of Music & Art and the School of Performing Arts. The school has a dual mission of arts and academics, preparing students for a career in the arts or conservatory study as well as a pursuit of higher education. The school has a long history of producing many of the country's most talented artists and is considered to be one of the most prestigious performing-arts high schools in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rehearsal</span> Practice performance

A rehearsal is an activity in the performing arts that occurs as preparation for a performance in music, theatre, dance and related arts, such as opera, musical theatre and film production. It is undertaken as a form of practising, to ensure that all details of the subsequent performance are adequately prepared and coordinated. The term rehearsal typically refers to ensemble activities undertaken by a group of people. For example, when a musician is preparing a piano concerto in their music studio, this is called practising, but when they practice it with an orchestra, this is called a rehearsal. The music rehearsal takes place in a music rehearsal space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Wausau</span> College in Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Wausau, is a two-year campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It is located near downtown Wausau, Wisconsin, United States, and adjacent to 78-acre (32 ha) Marathon Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Naval Academy Band</span> Military unit

The United States Naval Academy Band was officially founded in November 1852. Previously, there had been a band since the founding of the Naval Academy in 1845, consisting of a fifer and a drummer. The band consists of US Navy career musicians. The band is required to blend tradition and change into a wide variety of musical styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln High School (Lincoln, California)</span> Public school in Lincoln, Placer County, California, United States

Lincoln High School is a public high school located in the city of Lincoln, California. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Western Placer Unified School District. It is one of two high schools in Lincoln, California and has its own working school farm - the largest working school farm west of the Mississippi river. The school finished construction of the Edward A. Grey Sports Complex in 2005, including a new stadium and baseball fields. In 2007 Lincoln High School celebrated its 100th anniversary with the largest graduating class in the school's history. while also celebrating the honor of receiving the California Distinguished school award earned by that year's graduating class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Park High School (Woodbridge, Virginia)</span> Public school in Woodbridge, Virginia

Forest Park High School is a public high school in Woodbridge, Virginia, unincorporated Prince William County, Virginia, United States. It is part of Prince William County Public Schools and is located on 15721 Forest Park Drive. The school's name references adjacent Prince William Forest Park, one of the largest natural parks in the Washington metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Minnesota Marching Band</span> Marching band of the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Marching Band is the marching band of the University of Minnesota and the flagship university band for the state of Minnesota. The Pride of Minnesota serves as an ambassador for the university, representing the school at major events both on and off campus. The band performs before, during, and after all home Golden Gopher football games and bowl games, occasional away games, local parades, numerous pepfests, exhibition performances, as well as a series of indoor concerts toward the end of the regular football season. Members of the band, along with non-member students, also participate in smaller athletic pep bands that perform at other major sporting events, including men's hockey, men's basketball, women's hockey, women's basketball, and women's volleyball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa State University Cyclone Marching Band</span> College marching band in Ames, Iowa

The Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band (ISUCF'V'MB) is the marching band of Iowa State University. Also known as the Cyclone Marching Band (CMB), it is nicknamed the "Pride of Iowa State", the "Best of the Midwest", and the "Varsity Band". The band performs in support of the Iowa State Cyclones football team at all home games and at some away games versus Big 12 Conference rivals. The band plays at high school band festivals, indoor concerts, and post-season bowl games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunder of the East Marching Band</span> Marching band of the University at Buffalo

The Thunder of the East is the marching band of the University at Buffalo in the State University of New York system. UB's first marching band was created in 1920, and disbanded in 1927. It was revived in 1946, increasing in size and reputation until about 1970. It was known as "The Pride of the East." At that time, it was dissolved upon UB's departure from Division I athletics. In 1981, some UB students continued the tradition of playing music at UB's home football and basketball games by forming UB's Pep Band. In anticipation of UB's return to Division I athletics, a marching band was formed in 1999 and named, "Thunder of the East." The band debuted at the University at Buffalo Stadium on September 11, 1999. The Thunder of the East is currently led by James E. Mauck; and performs at UB's Buffalo Bulls home football games, as well as in other musical venues.

The choirs at Brigham Young University (BYU) consist of four auditioned groups: BYU Singers, BYU Concert Choir, BYU Men's Chorus, and BYU Women's Chorus. Each choir is highly accomplished and performs from an extensive repertoire. Together, the choirs have recorded and released over 30 albums. The choirs perform frequently throughout the academic year, both as individual ensembles as well as a combined group.

K. Newell Dayley is a prominent Latter Day Saint composer, hymnwriter and musician. He was a professor of music at Brigham Young University (BYU) and later served as the associate academic vice president for undergraduate studies at that institution. He retired from BYU in September 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulane University Marching Band</span> College marching band in New Orleans

The Tulane University Marching Band (TUMB) is the marching band of Tulane University. It performs at every Tulane Green Wave football home game in Yulman Stadium, bowl games, and some away games. It is also marches in New Orleans Mardi Gras parades each year, having appeared in Le Krewe d'Etat, the Krewe of Thoth, the Krewe of Bacchus, and the Krewe of Rex, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Band</span> Marching band of the University of South Carolina

The Carolina Band, or the Mighty Sound of the Southeast, is the official marching band of the University of South Carolina. With an average membership of 360, it is the largest ensemble associated with the university's School of Music. The marching band performs at all South Carolina Gamecocks football home games played at Williams-Brice Stadium, as well as neutral site games, bowl games, and all games against Clemson, where both the Carolina Band and Clemson's Tiger Band both perform at half time regardless of which school is hosting on a given year.

The Sacramento State Marching Band(SSMB) is the official marching band at California State University, Sacramento. To this day the band performs at all home football games and various away games during the football season. The SSMB also functions as the de facto student cheering section at athletic events, as it is the largest and loudest spirit organization of Sacramento State's campus. The SSMB also is present every year during the Causeway Classic against its arch-rival: UC Davis.

RMIT Link is a division of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) around student life and historically was an unincorporated entity, the campus union of the RMIT in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was formed in 1968 and currently consists of the following branches: Arts and Culture, Sport, City Fitness, "Recreation", "Orientation and Transition" and Administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band</span> College marching band in Cullowhee, North Carolina

The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band is the marching band which represents Western Carolina University. The band performs pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows at all Catamounts Football home games and routinely provides exhibition performances throughout the Southeast. Unlike most college marching bands, the Pride of the Mountains designs, creates, and performs one perfected halftime show other than doing different performances every week.

Ron Saltmarsh is an American composer, producer, guitarist and performer. He has written many TV and movie scores, and also written many country music songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications</span> Fine arts school of Brigham Young University

The Brigham Young University (BYU) College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) is one of the nine colleges at the university, a private institution operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and located in Provo, Utah. Founded in 1925, the college has grown from a small college of the arts with minimal faculty and only 100 students to the second largest college on campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band</span> College marching band in Louisville, Kentucky

The University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band is the official marching band of the University of Louisville (UofL) in Louisville, Kentucky. It is considered a Music Ambassador for UofL. The CMB performs at all home football games at Cardinal Stadium, all postseason bowl games, and select away football games. It also plays at the annual Spring Scrimmage Game which pits the Cardinal Offense against the Cardinal Defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newell Weight</span>

Newell Bryan Weight, born in Springville, Utah, studied music at Brigham Young University and the University of South California. He was a professor of music at Brigham Young University from 1949 to 1962 and founded its a cappella choir. With this choir, he was able to record in commercial studios and go on national tours as the choir's popularity grew. He was later a professor at the University of Utah from 1962 until his retirement in 1984. There, he worked with established choirs, which were nominated for two Grammy awards. He also served as the chair of the University of Utah's Music Department. In his personal life, Weight married Dorothy Hill in 1936. The couple had six children. Weight also belonged to two clubs: the Good Sam's Club and the Golden Kiwanis Club. He died in Orem, Utah, at the age of 92.

References

  1. "John R. Halliday personal papers, 1887-1987 | BYU Library - Special Collections". archives.lib.byu.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  2. BYU Athletics Band information page
  3. "BYU: Marching Band has New Headquarters at Stadium".
  4. "BYU Marching Band" . Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  5. BYU Marching and Pep Band information page
  6. BYU School of Music small ensembles information page