Concert Ensemble Information

Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds Rotation

Fall and Spring – Tuesday, Thursday, 2:30-4:30pm and Friday, 3:00-5:00pm

The Wind Ensemble is the University of Houston’s premier performing organization. The ensemble has gained a national reputation through performances at the conventions of the Texas Music Educators Association (1988, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2006, 2011, and 2016), the Midwest Clinic (2012), the College Band Directors National Association, Colorado Music Educators Association (2010), the Meyerson Symphony Hall Series in Dallas, the 2015 World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in San Jose, CA, and numerous performance in the Houston metropolitan area.

The Wind Ensemble has recorded twelve compact discs, including four recorded after being selected by the International Percy Grainger Society to record Grainger’s works in a four-volume series. One of their recordings was chosen as a compact disc of the year by Stereophile Magazine, and two others were nominated for Grammy awards: volume IV of the Grainger series, and their recording of Gustav Holst’s The Planet’s the first college wind ensemble recording to be honored with a Grammy nomination. The 56-member organization performs at least four concerts during the academic year, each exploring the wide diversity of wind-ensemble literature from the canonic wind repertoire to exciting new and unexplored chamber works written within the last decade. The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Mr. David Bertman.

Audition required.
Undergraduate students should enroll in MUSI 1102-04 (25934)
Graduate students should enroll in MUSI 6106-2 (25905)

The University’s second concert band is the Symphonic Winds. Symphonic Winds is dedicated to performing the highest level of literature possible and performs concerts throughout the year. The Symphonic Winds meets in the fall and the spring semesters. The Symphonic Winds ensemble is conducted by Dr. Cameron Kubos.

Audition required. Students should enroll in MUSI 1102-02 (25812)

Students in both ensembles also have the ability to be rotated into the orchestral cycle, which rehearses during the same time frames on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as rotated by piece between the two wind ensembles. Assignments will be posted clearly at the start of the semester.

Symphonic Band

Spring - Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00am-1:00pm

The Symphonic Band rehearses and performs compositions for all levels of concert band and new arrangements of standard marches. The band’s goal is to introduce students to new music and offer music education students the opportunity to work with their peers. The Symphonic Band currently meets during the fall and spring semesters and is primarily geared towards non-music majors. Non-music majors are not required to audition. The Symphonic Band ensemble is conducted by Mr. Bertman and the graduate conducting studio.

Students should enroll in MUSI 1102-03 (25813)