Rowan University Bands

Wind Ensemble
Joseph Higgins, conductor

The Wind Ensemble is the premier band of the College of Performing Arts at Rowan University. Its members are advanced and versatile musicians who perform the finest large ensemble and chamber music literature, including world premiere performances from today's most innovative and exceptional composers. Collaborative programming showcases our student-musicians interacting with Rowan's outstanding faculty and visiting guest artists from around the world. With each unique performance, audiences join the Wind Ensemble on a journey that uses music to explore a theme, idea, or place. The ensemble was recently invited to perform at the prestigious 2020 CBDNA Eastern Division Conference. Rehearsals are held on Mondays (12:30-1:45pm), Tuesdays & Thursdays (2:00-3:15pm).

For more information or to schedule an audition, please contact Dr. Higgins via email: higgins@rowan.edu

Rowan University Wind Ensemble rehearses in Pfleeger Concert Hall, Spring 2019.

Symphonic Band
Joseph Higgins, conductor

The Symphonic Band was formed in Spring 2019 to serve the growing number of talented instrumentalists in the College of Performing Arts at Rowan University. Selected by audition, its members are advanced and versatile musicians who perform the finest large ensemble and chamber music literature, including world premiere performances and concertos with Rowan's outstanding faculty. With each unique performance, audiences join the Symphonic Band on a journey that uses music to explore a theme, idea, or place. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:45PM.

For more information or to schedule an audition, please contact Dr. Higgins via email: higgins@rowan.edu

Rowan University Symphonic Band performs Aaron Copland's "I Bought Me A Cat", featuring baritone Joseph Barton, Fall 2018.

Concert Band (AKA "College Band")
Mark Kadetsky, conductor

The Rowan University Concert Band is comprised of music majors as well as talented students from many other disciplines (AND faculty members from all campus colleges!). Exploring a variety works for band, the ensemble prides itself in achieving a consistently high level of performance. Student-musicians share in the excitement of the creative process as they prepare two concerts each semester. All interested students are encouraged to contact the conductor for more information. Rehearsals are held each Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00-6:15pm.

Interested in joining us? We are always accepting new members on all winds/brass/percussion instruments! Please register for this course, or contact Dr. Kadetsky via email at kadetsky@rowan.edu to request more information. This ensemble is also available to high school and community musicians; for more information about non-student membership, please inquire with the Rowan Community Music School.

Rowan University Concert Band performs a free campus concert outside the Chamberlain Student Center.

Rowan University Concert Band rehearses in Wilson Hall, Fall 2019.

Rowan University Pep Band

CLICK HERE FOR 2021-2022 Pep Band Audition Details

The Rowan University Pep Band is a high-energy and wildly popular ensemble of brass, saxes, rhythm section instrumentalists, and vocalists. This group can be seen around campus entertaining crowds at home football games, commencement ceremonies, and other athletic and special events throughout the year. Membership is selected by audition when spots are available. For information about Pep Band or to inquire about auditions, please contact the Pep Band Director, Keith Bianchini: bianchink0@rowan.edu

Rowan University Pep Band performs for 2019 Commencement Ceremonies

Fall 2021 - We are thrilled to welcome you back to Pfleeger Concert Hall for LIVE performances!

• Program TBA

Wind Ensemble: MOTHER EARTH
---Saturday, October 23, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall

• David Maslanka - Mother Earth
• Jodie Blackshaw - Peace Dancer
• Peter Van Zandt Lane - Echo Chambers (commission consortium premiere)
• Charles Ives - The Unanswered Question
• Alex Shapiro - Beneath
• Armando Bayolo - Dispatches from the Anthropocene (commission consortium premiere)

• John Jacob Niles (arr. Higgins) - I Wonder as I Wander (world premiere)
• Ryan George - Firefly
• Ola Gjeilo - Serenity
• Norman Dello Joio - Variants on a Medieval Tune

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Socially Conscious Programming

"The Empathy Machine: Socially Conscious Programming" Presentation Slides (Higgins, 2019)

Check out Rowan's 2017-2018 "Music of Social Justice" Series Details

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CJMEA Region II Wind Ensemble 2020 (Dr. Higgins, conductor)

Please explore these reference recordings before our first rehearsal on January 10th. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions (higgins@rowan.edu). I look forward to an awesome weekend of music making!

• Gabrieli - Canzon Primi Toni
  • Professional Brass Ensemble recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjntqVWW9eM
  • MIDI mp3 of our arrangement (which was created specifically for our performance): https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rnStA7sq1WjI1BDc9yZ-LSS_S_v96bhz
• Salfelder - Cathedrals
  • This piece is based on material from Canzon Primi Toni.
  • North Texas Wind Symphony recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHFqeTz13Tk
• Debussy - The Engulfed Cathedral
  • Here is a score/recording of the original piano version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVMGwPDP-Yk
  • And here is the US Marine Band performing the beautiful band transcription: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUIcayqOVWo
• Dello Joio - Variants on a Medieval Tune
  • Dallas Wind Symphony recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQutDrh8KTs
  • Listen to a bit of Bach's setting of In Dulci Jubilo, which is the "medieval tune" that Dello Joio is using in his piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gK3yH1mGcE
• Danyew - Magnolia Star
  • North Texas Wind Symphony recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCZbub4IOZ8
  • Steve Danyew's website has more information about this music: https://www.stevedanyew.com/store/magnolia-star