Ensembles | WVU Bands | West Virginia University

Concert Ensembles

The WVU Bands program currently features four concert ensembles - the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band, and two Concert Bands. These ensembles present concerts for the campus community throughout the year and represent the School of Music in regional and national appearances. Recent performances by the Wind Symphony include concerts in New York City's Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall in Chicago.

All of these ensembles are open to any WVU student regardless of major. Auditions are required for membership in both the Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Band. No audition is required for membership in the Concert Bands, which are only offered spring semester.

Learn more about auditions

Wind Symphony

Directed by Dr. Scott C. Tobias, this ensemble is comprised of approximately 50 of the finest wind and percussion students at WVU.

Symphonic Band

This auditioned ensemble performs a varied repertoire of standard band literature, presenting two concerts per semester.

Concert Bands

These open-enrollment ensembles offer performance opportunities for students who wish to keep music in their lives as a recreational and aesthetic activity.

Athletic Ensembles

The WVU Mountaineer Marching Band, also known as “The Pride of West Virginia” and the WVU Pep Band are an integral part of the gameday experience for all Mountaineer fans. The Pride enjoys a reputation as one of the nation’s storied marching bands, having earned the distinction of being awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy for outstanding collegiate marching bands in 1997. It has entertained millions over the years in countless bowl appearances, events throughout the state and region, and most recently on the national stage with an appearance in the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Basketball Pep Band provides fun and excitement for both men’s and women’s basketball in the Coliseum, WVU’s home court, and on the road during the teams’ frequent post-season tournament appearances.

Membership is open, pending a successful audition, to any registered WVU student, regardless of major. Instrumentation is limited to traditional marching band woodwind, brass, and battery percussion instruments. Positions are also available for color guard members and feature twirlers. Additionally, there are positions available in the Basketball Pep Band for electric bass and drum set.