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Bands

Rowan University Bands

Welcome to Rowan University Bands! We are proud to offer performance opportunities for students of any and all majors. Whether you are studying to become a professional musician, educator, engineer or psychologist, we hope that you will join one of our fine ensembles. Explore this page to learn more about our music, our musicians, and upcoming events. We invite you to "LIKE" our Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/RowanWinds/ to stay up-to-date with recent photos and videos from rehearsals and performances!
 
We were excited to participate in the Department of Music's recent "Untold Stories: Truth & Music" programming; in 2017-2018, our concerts featured works inspired by social justice issues and highlighted the music of women and minority composers throughout the season. Click here for a look back at our "Music of Social Justice" programs.
 
Rowan University Pep Band
Summer Band Camp (Now featuring a Future Music Major Workshop)
WINDFEST 2020 Honor Band
Rowan University Conducting Workshop 
Dr. Higgins Honor Band Resources
 Wind Ensemble

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

wind ensemble

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

 barton

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.

Rehearsal

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

Rowan University Pep Band (Suspended during Fall 2020 due to Covid-19 Restrictions)

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

We are currently planning our 2020-2021 season. Here is a look back at our 2019-2020 concert programs!

Wind Ensemble & Concert Choir: THE HERE AND NOW
---Saturday, October 19, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall & Sunday, October 20, 3:00pm at Liberti Church, Philadelphia
Adam Schoenberg - "Rondo" from American Symphony
Claude Debussy (arr. Patterson) - The Engulfed Cathedral
Warren Benson - The Solitary Dancer
Christopher Theofanidis - The Here and Now  
Symphonic Band & Concert Band: THE CAVE YOU FEAR
---Thursday, October 24, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall
Symphonic Band:
Stephen Schwartz - Selections from "Wicked"
James Horner - Casper's Lullaby
Michael Colgrass - The Beethoven Machine
Omar Thomas - Shenandoah
John Zdechlik - Chorale and Shaker Dance
Concert Band:
Tom Wallace - House of Horrors
Daniel Bukvich - Voodoo
Michael Markowski - The Cave You Fear
Wind Ensemble & WindFest 2019 High School Honor Band
---Saturday, November 23, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall
Lyn Murray - Ronald Searle Suite (with video projection)
Charles Ives - Variations on "America"
Oskar Bohme - Trumpet Concerto featuring Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg 
Nicole Piunno - Eternity in an Hour
Jonathan Newman - My Hands Are A City 
Symphonic Band, Concert Band & Brass Band: PRIDE/JOY
---Monday, December 9, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall

CELEBRATING LGBTQIA+ ARTISTS & ACTIVISTS  

Wind Ensemble: Pre-CBDNA CONCERT & featured performance at CBDNA Eastern Division Conference
---Tuesday, February 18, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall
---Friday, February 21, 3:00pm at Temple Performing Arts Center, Philadelphia

        Adam Schoenberg - "Rondo" from American Symphony
        Lyn Murray - Ronald Searle Suite (with video projection)
        Michael Gandolfi - Vientos y Tangos (World Premiere of New Flex-Instrumentation Version) 
        Kala Pierson - Broadloom
        Jonathan Newman - My Hands Are A City 

Symphonic Band & Concert Band: RESONANCEShiggins conducts
---Thursday, February 27, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall

        SYMPHONIC BAND:
        Ron Nelson - Resonances I
        Gerald Finzi - Lyric Suite (arr. Moss)
        Morten Lauridsen - Contre Qui, Rose (arr. Reynolds) 
        Alex Shapiro - Paper Cut
        Cait Nishimura - Intrinsic Light - PREMIERE 

Symphonic Band, Concert Band & Brass Band: SPRING CONCERT (CANCELLED)
---Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall

        SYMPHONIC BAND:
        James Curnow – Rejouissance
        Steven Bryant – Dusk
        Ryan George – Jinx
        Alexader Glazunov (arr. Phillips) – Sérénade du Troubadour
        John Philip Sousa (arr. Sparke) – Nobles of the Mystic Shrine

Wind Ensemble: OUR NEW DAY (CANCELLED)
---Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall

        Steve Danyew – Magnolia Star (Pablo Martinez, conductor)
        Edward Elgar (arr. Reed) – Nimrod from Enigma Variations
        Eugene Magalif – Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble (Liva Savaiinaea, flute)
        Omar Thomas – Of Our New Day Begun
        Vincent Persichetti – Symphony No. 6

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

External programming resources: Institute for Composer Diversity

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!