University Bands
There are five bands at BGSU: the Falcon Marching Band, the Wind Symphony, the Concert Band, the University Band and the Athletic Band. Each band is an independent unit, and a student may become a member of any ensemble for which he or she qualifies. It is not necessary for a student to be a music major to participate in these ensembles.
Athletic Band
The Athletic Band is auditioned group formed midway through the fall semester to provide music at selected basketball and hockey games. It continues into the second semester for the remainder of the basketball and hockey seasons. The director of the Athletic Band is Dr. Carol Hayward.
Concert Band
The Concert Band performs the finest in wind literature, emphasizing the core repertoire and contemporary publications that provide a strong basis for the music educator. The Concert Band is one of three concert bands at BGSU. This auditioned ensemble is open to all university students and meets in the fall on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30–1:20 p.m. In the spring, the ensemble meets Monday from 8–10 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30–3:45 p.m. The Concert Band performs in at least two concerts throughout each semester, including the Band New Music Reading and Directors Clinic in January. The director of the Concert Band is Dr. Carol Hayward. Listen to the Concert Band.
Falcon Marching Band (FMB)
Exists only during football season and performs for all home games, selected other events and a concert. Auditions are held at the beginning of rehearsals in August. Students report (and move into their assigned residence halls) for marching fundamentals, drills and music rehearsals about seven days prior to the opening of classes. Flag corps and twirler auditions are held at other times (Flags: April and early August; Twirlers: early August). Information on current dates for these auditions can be obtained from the band office. The director of the FMB is Dr. Carol Hayward.
The largest student organization on campus, the FMB performs at all home football games and various other university functions. They have also performed at the University of Akron, University of Michigan, University of Toledo and Eastern Michigan, Miami, West Virginia, Marshall, Ohio State and Ball State universities, as well as professional football games at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, the Pontiac Silverdome, and Cleveland Browns Stadium, and many high school band festivals. Additional trips have included bowl games in Fresno, Calif. (Raisin Bowl), Las Vegas (Silver Bowl), Detroit (Motor City Bowl), and Mobile, Ala. (GMAC Bowl). In 2007, the band was proud to have been invited to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America Regional in Indianapolis.
Numbering 220 members, the band serves as a showcase of the finest in musical and visual performance, as well as a centerpiece for athletic spirit. The FMB is composed of students from all colleges of the University and membership is open by audition to students of all class levels and all majors.
The band performed an original composition composed especially for the Falcon Marching Band by Ryan Nowlin ’00, ’04, entitled New Frontiers. It includes original visual design by Jason Sivill ’04 and percussion book by Michael Sander ’97.
University Band
The University Band performs the finest in wind literature, emphasizing the core repertoire and contemporary publications that provide a strong basis for the music educator. The University Band is one of three concert bands at BGSU. This ensemble is open to all university students, and it meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30–1:20 p.m. Throughout each semester, the University Band performs two concerts. The director of the University Band is Dr. Kenneth Thompson.
Wind Symphony
The Wind Symphony is the most advanced-level performing ensemble in the band area. Seating and placement are through audition. The ensemble performs contemporary and standard literature for winds and percussion. Each fall, the Wind Symphony performs in the New Music Festival and recently was selected to perform at the College Band Director’s National Association Conference in Chicago. Performing on the Band New Music Reading and Directors Clinic in January, the ensemble also performs at least two concerts each semester. The Wind Symphony meets Monday from 8–10 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30–3:45 p.m. in the fall and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4–5:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 4–5 p.m. in the spring. The director of the Wind Symphony is Dr. Bruce Moss.