Appalachian State University Bands
The Appalachian State University Bands program currently consists of seven bands. Serving over four hundred students, the program is designed to provide a musical outlet for wind and percussion players in the university community, as well as professional training for music education and performance majors.
For information regarding the various ensembles within the band program, please visit http://bands.appstate.edu/. Should you need additional information or have questions, please feel free to contact the Hayes School of Music at (828) 262-3020 or one of the directors.
The Appalachian Wind Ensemble
The Appalachian Wind Ensemble represents many of the finest instrumentalists within the Hayes School of Music. Conducted by Dr. John Stanley Ross (rossjs@appstate.edu), the Appalachian Wind Ensemble performs wind literature of the highest caliber, and has performed as a feature ensemble at the American Bandmasters Association National Convention, the Southern Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association, the North Carolina Music Educators Association Convention, and at the American School Band Directors Association National Convention. Auditions for the Wind Ensemble take place at the beginning of each semester. The ensemble rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00pm during both fall and spring semesters. Students who place into the Wind Ensemble receive one hour of academic credit by enrolling in MUS 1102.
The Appalachian Symphony Band
The Appalachian Symphony Band is an auditioned ensemble that meets during fall and spring semesters each academic year. Dr. Jason Gardner (gardnerjp@appstate.edu), Associate Director of Bands, is the conductor of the Appalachian Symphony Band. Auditions for membership are held in August and January just before the beginning of classes. In the fall semester, the band rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-7:45 pm, and in the spring, it rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 -1:45pm, and it presents two concerts on campus each semester in addition to off-campus performances from time to time. Students who place into the Symphony Band receive one hour of academic credit by enrolling in MUS 1101.
The Appalachian Concert Band
The Hayes School of Music offers a spring semester Concert Band, conducted by both faculty and graduate students earning their master's degree in band directing. Hayes School of Music conductors and faculty soloists often perform with the Concert Band. Primarily comprised of non-music majors and music majors performing on secondary instruments, the Concert Band offers continued performance opportunities for those students who wish to keep music in their lives as a recreational and aesthetic activity. Enrollment is open to all Appalachian students, and no audition is required.
The Concert Band meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm during the spring semester, and presents two concerts on campus during the semester. Students enrolled in Concert Band receive one hour of academic credit by registering for MUS 1127.
The Marching Mountaineers
At 296 members strong, the Appalachian State University Marching Mountaineers are a source of pride and "Mountaineer spirit" for the ASU community. The Marching Mountaineers perform for over 20,000 fans at each home football game, provide support for the Mountaineers at select away games, and perform in exhibition at high school festivals. With a strong commitment to excellence in performance, the members of the band take great pride in being known as North Carolina's Band of Distinction!
Under the direction of Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Jason Gardner, the Marching Band rehearses in the fall semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 – 1:45pm. Students enrolled in the Marching Band received one hour of academic credit by registering for MUS 1100.
More information about the Marching Mountaineers can be found at http://marchingmountaineers.appstate.edu/
The Basketball Band
Once an extension of the Marching Mountaineers, the Basketball Band has evolved into a highly energized group of musicians who lend their musical abilities and school spirit to create a "home court advantage" for the ASU Men's and Women's Basketball teams. Basketball Band is open to all students, regardless of major. No auditions are required unless deemed necessary by the director. Rehearsals take place prior to the beginning of basketball season, and the band performs at all home basketball games. The band also travels to the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament each year, and to the NCAA Tournament, should a bid be received. Students enrolled in Basketball Band receive one hour of academic credit by registering for MUS 1125.
The Appalachian Jazz Bands
The Appalachian Jazz Bands perform diverse repertoire highlighting the excellence of the Hayes School of Music. Directed by Prof. Todd Wright (wrighttt@appstate.edu) and Prof. Rodney Berry (berryra@appstate.edu), both bands offers students the opportunity to learn proper style, technique and improvisation skills associated with this most American musical genre.
Jazz Band I meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00 – 12:50pm and Jazz Band II meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:20 pm. Students enrolled in Jazz Band I or II receive one hour of academic credit by registering for MUS 1104.
Playlists
To listen to performances by our bands, click on the links below: