The band program at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is dedicated to stimulating musical growth and providing a comprehensive education to prepare aspiring teachers and performers. The bands provide avocational opportunities for students majoring in disciplines other than music; promote and sustain the proud musical heritage of wind and percussion literature; offer personal rich and unique social contacts; and serve the University from the football field to the concert stage. The UWP Bands are open to both music majors and non-music majors.
For additional information on the UW-Platteville University Band Program please feel free to contact:
Dr. Barry Ellis
Director of Bands
Tel: 608-342-1017
Fax: 608-342-1039
ellisb@uwplatt.edu
Matthew Gregg
Associate Director of Bands Director, Marching Pioneers
608-342-1019
greggm@uwplatt.edu
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the premier wind group of the UWP Music Department. Membership in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble is by audition and consists of the finest wind and percussion players at the university. The repertoire is carefully chosen to provide a variety of musical experiences from the traditional, to the historical, to contemporary art literature. Formal concerts are given both semesters. The group also tours with Jazz Ensemble I in the spring performing concerts at high schools throughout the tri-state area. Past performances include the *National Band Association* and the *Wisconsin State Music Educators Association*. This group has performed with Frederick Fennell, Eugene Corporon, Dennis Glocke*, *James Keene, and commissioned a new concerto for saxophone and winds in 2003 by UWP alumnus David Ott.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Symphony Band is a group of talented musicians who provide performances of artistic merit for the benefit of the University and the Southwestern Wisconsin community. The Symphony band is open to all UWP students who play a wind or percussion instrument and who have an interest in music. The group rehearses on Tuesday evenings for two hours during the university calendar year and presents concerts in the fall and spring.
Chamber Winds is comprised of select members from the Symphony Band and/or Wind Ensemble who perform masterworks of the chamber music repertoire. Music scored for as few as 10 members to as many as 30 performers is the specialty of this flexible ensemble.
The Marching Pioneers perform during pregame and halftime ceremonies during UWP Pioneer home football games. The members of the band consist of students in many different fields of study. The Marching Pioneers have performed halftime shows for the *Green Bay Packers* *at Lambeau Field*, the *Chicago Bears* at *Soldier Field*, *The Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park*, and the *Metrodome* in Minneapolis. The group has also performed for Wisconsin State high schools as an additional recruiting tool for the university. With as many as 10 annual field shows, parades, and concert performances combined, the Marching Pioneers are seen by 70,000 people, making it one of the most visible and vital organizations on campus. Please visit their website.
The Basketball Pep Band consists of a core of musicians who perform for men's and women's home basketball games. This group travels to tournament games.
Placement auditions are given during the first week of school for entrance into the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, and Chamber Winds. The placement audition will determine band and chair placement in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble or Symphony Band; Chamber Winds will be selected from the members in these groups. All students who audition will be placed in one of the university bands.