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.
Click for a directory of Ensemble Faculty
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
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.
Within the band exist four student organizations which not only provide service for the bands and their various functions but also encourage personal growth through teamwork and camaraderie. These service organizations are:
For more information on student organizations in the College of Musical Arts, see the student handbook.
Your first step in becoming a member of the University Bands is by filling out the interest form. On this form, indicate in which bands you wish to play. We will then put your name on a list of prospective students for that group.
If you wish to become a member of the Falcon Marching Band, you will be sent the schedule for pre-school marching rehearsals, public appearances, and all other pertinent information after August 1. Auditions for the Falcon Marching Band are held at the beginning of fundamental drills which begin about seven days prior to the opening of classes in August.
If you wish to become a member of the Fall Concert or Fall Wind Symphony, auditions will be held the first week of classes and you must check the audition schedule in the band office the first day of classes.
If you wish to become a member of the University Band, you simply report to the first rehearsal as indicated on your class schedule. In order to balance instrumentation, it may be necessary to audition certain sections.
If you wish to become a member of the Spring Wind Symphony or Concert Band, auditions are held early in November, and interested students should contact the band office for specific times. Both ensembles are organized immediately following the final home football game and rehearse in place of the Marching Band for the remainder of the semester.
If you wish to become a member of the Athletic Band, you may enroll for the Spring semester but must attend organizational meetings, typically three Sunday evenings in November. You will receive one hour credit for playing a designated number of games.
Next, you must register at the appropriate times for the group you desire—for freshmen, this would be at Pre-Registration in the summer for groups meeting Fall Semester; at the November registration for groups meeting during the Spring Semester.
Finally, stop in the band office when you are here for Pre-Registration (or whenever you are on campus) and have a chat with the director of bands about the band program and check and see if your card or email has been received and your name placed on the band list of your choice.