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Department of Music
Phone: (509) 963-1216
Fax: (509) 963-1239
music@cwu.edu

Bands at CWU

Consisting of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Wildcat Marching Band, and Basketball Band, the Central Washington University Band program has a long history of musical excellence and is recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as one of the region’s finest band programs.

Concert Bands

Wind EnsembleMaggie playing flute in Wind Ensemble

The Central Washington University Wind Ensemble is the preeminent wind band at CWU. Over the past two decades, the group has distinguished itself as a leader in musical performance with invitations to state, regional, and national conferences. With a goal of developing and refining large ensemble musicianship skills, the Wind Ensemble is comprised of the finest graduate and undergraduate wind and percussion students from the department of music and throughout the CWU community.

The CWU Wind Ensemble strives to deliver engaging performances that are artistic, expressive, and polished. Repertoire selected for study and performance span a wide variety to include contemporary works for wind band, works from the standard band repertoire, transcriptions, and chamber music. As an advocate for the advancement of wind band literature, the ensemble engages in consortium projects from composers to include, David Maslanka, Roger Cichy, Gregory Youtz, Thomas Sleeper, Shelley Hanson, David Gillingham, Mark Camphouse, Kevin Day, and Angelica Negron.

Participation is open to all CWU students regardless of academic concentration through auditions held at the beginning of each academic quarter. The ensemble meets during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The CWU Wind Ensemble is under the artistic and musical direction of director of bands, Dr. T. André Feagin.

Symphonic Winds

The Central Washington University Symphonic Winds is a concert band comprised of outstanding undergraduate students from the department of music and throughout the CWU community. Known throughout the region for excellence in performance, the ensemble has received invitations at local and regional events to include a performance at the National Association for Music Education Northwest Division Conference.

The Symphonic Winds seeks to broaden performance and teaching skills through the programming of exemplary literature to include works from the standard wind band repertoire. Past performances have included the works of Vincent Persichetti, Percy A. Grainger, David Maslanka, and John Mackey.

Participation is open to all CWU students regardless of academic concentration through auditions held at the beginning of each academic quarter. The ensemble meets during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The CWU Symphonic Winds is under the and musical direction of Professor Paul Bain, associate director of bands.

Symphonic Band

Best playing the euphonium in Wind Ensemble.

The Central Washington University Symphonic Band has gained the reputation as being one of Washington’s most outstanding undergraduate wind bands. The Symphonic Band is comprised of outstanding students from the department of music and throughout the CWU community. The ensemble studies and performs a musically diverse repertoire, ranging from standard wind band literature to contemporary works for winds and percussion.

Participation is open to all CWU students regardless of academic concentration through auditions held at the beginning of each academic quarter. The ensemble meets during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The CWU Symphonic Winds is under the and musical direction of Professor Paul Bain, associate director of bands.

Athletic Bands

Wildcat Marching Band

Fall 2021 Marching Band Comittment Form

Saxophone section for marching band.The Central Washington University Wildcat Marching Band is the largest and most visible music ensemble at CWU. Housed within the department of music, the group maintains an annual enrollment of approximately 200 members representing a wide variety of colleges and departments throughout CWU. The ensemble performs annually for nearly 30,000 spectators including performances at home football games, special university events, exhibitions, and community events.

Consisting of sections of brass, woodwinds, percussion, and color guard, the Wildcat Marching Band strives for musical excellence coupled with an exciting and innovative visual presentation. In addition, the group serves as a spirit leader and musical ambassador for the CWU athletic community. Membership is open to all brass, woodwind and color guard performers regardless of academic major. There is no formal audition required for brass and woodwind participants. Although experience in marching band is preferred for members, it is not a requirement. However, an audition is required for those interested in participating in the percussion and color guard sections. Auditions for these sections typically take place during early summer following the conclusion of the spring quarter each year.

The Wildcat Marching Band meets during the fall quarter only and rehearses M/W/F from 4:00pm- 6:00pm. The group is under the musical and organizational leadership of Dr. T. André Feagin, director of bands.

  • 2021 Marching Band Audition Requirements

    2021 Wildcat Marching Band Audition Requirements

    Thank you for your interest in the 2021 Central Washington University Wildcat Marching Band. Membership in the band is open to all students regardless of academic major. Currently, our membership represents a wide variety academic disciplines from throughout the Central Washington University community. Experience in high school marching band is strongly encouraged but not required for participation. There are two important criteria for obtaining membership in the ensemble: registration in MUS 287/487 during the fall quarter and attendance at the required preseason summer camp.

    2021 Preseason Camp Dates:

    • Friday, September 17 — Tuesday, September 21, 2021(attendance required)

    A detailed scheduled will be produced later. Students living in university housing will be required to move into their dormitory on Friday, September 17th with band events beginning in the evening. Central Washington University Bands will work closely with the CWU Orientations and Transition Programs to ensure that new students in the marching band have the opportunity to participate in those events that welcome them to the CWU community.

    Brass/Woodwind Audition Information

    All perspective members must fill out and submit the 2021 online commitment form.

    There is no audition requirement for brass and woodwind players for membership in the CWU Wildcat Marching Band. Experience in high school marching band is strongly encouraged but not required for participation. Central Washington University allows students in the sousaphone (tuba), mellophone, and baritone sections to use university owned equipment during the season. Students in the remaining wind sections (flute/piccolo, clarinet, alto/tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone) are responsible for providing their own instrument for use during the 2021 season.

    Battery Percussion Audition Information

    All perspective members must fill out and submit the 2021 online commitment form in addition to the required material below.

    We have moved to an online audition process for the 2021 season. Auditions for all sections of the drumline (snare, tenor drums, bass drums, and cymbals) will take place via video submission. Video audition are to be submitted by Saturday, July 17, 2021.

    We recognize that the COVID-19 situation keeps many of our potential members from having access to equipment they typically would use during the audition process. Percussionist are encouraged to perform their audition materials on a drum pad or similar surface for their audition. You will not be penalized for not using an actual marching drum. Please note, returning members are required to re-audition.

    You may audition for the instrument/section of your choice. Please indicate your instrumental preference in your audition video as well as on the online commitment form. As part of the audition process, all candidates are required to play the audition excerpts (PDF) provided. Your placement will be based on your musicianship, experience, ability, attitude, and the placement the staff feels is best for you within the CWU Marching Band.
    It is recommended that auditionees create a YouTube video (set to unlisted) and send the link in an email to the Dr. Feagin, director of bands. Please note that the editing of your video is not a priority. The quality of your performance and submission of the following with be the main factors in the selection process:

    Self-introduction (no longer than three minutes)

    (Questions to address should include: Where are you from? What high school did you attend? What marching band experience do you have? Why are you interested in being a part of the Central Washington University Wildcat Marching Band? Anything special that you would like to share about yourself?) Use this as an opportunity for us to get to know YOU!

    Demonstration of technique through the recording of all exercises.

    You may perform the audition materials on a drum, practice pad, or similar surface. Please note that an audible metronome must be present for each exercise during your audition submission. Perform as much of the exercise sheet as you can at tempos that best represent your best playing ability.
    Your feet, hands, and face should be visible at all times during the performance of the video audition and you should mark time during each exercise.

    Color Guard Audition Information

    All perspective members must fill out and submit the 2021 online commitment form in addition to the required material below.

    The color guard at Central Washington University is an auxiliary unit within the CWU Wildcat Marching Band. Membership is selected by audition annually and is open to all students regardless of academic major. Membership in the color guard is open to both female and male performers. The CWU color guard is an integral part of the marching band and by use of color, flag, and dance, help elevate and enhance the overall visual presentation of the marching band.

    We recognize that the COVID-19 situation keeps many of our potential color guard members from having access to equipment they typically would use during the audition process. Candidates who do not have access to equipment should contact Dr. Feagin via email and outline your situation. Candidates not having access to equipment will have the opportunity to use of their winter guard (when available) or high school field show from 2019 as a demonstration of participation, proficiency, and technique.

    All candidates are required to submit an audition video (link). It is strongly advised that candidates send a video link (YouTube, set to unlisted) to satisfy the audition requirement. Make note to wear appropriate athletic clothing allowing free movement.

    Video submission are due on Saturday July 17, 2021. Audition links should be submitted to Dr. Feagin, director of bands via email. Your audition video should include the following:

    Self-introduction (no longer than three minutes)

    (Questions to address should include: Where are you from? What high school did you attend? What marching band experience do you have? Why are you interested in being a part of the Central Washington University Wildcat Marching Band? Anything special that you would like to share about you?) Use this as an opportunity for us to get to know YOU!

    Flag Technique Demonstration

    Drop spins, cones, and flourishes (left and right side). Tosses to include a single and a single and a half (left and right). Please also record parallel tosses, 45’s, pole tosses and pop tosses. Please email Dr. Feagin if you have questions in technical requirements.

    Routine Submission

    Create a short routine (4-8, 8-counts). Be creative and have fun!

  • 2021 Wildcat Marching Band Performance Schedule

    The schedule below is subject to change.

    • July 17, 2021- Battery Percussion & Color Guard Virtual Auditions due (online submission)
    • July 19, 2021- Battery Percussion & Color Guard Results notification (via email)
    • August 21, 2021- Marching Band Commitment Form deadline
    • September 17, 2021- Early Move-In for students living in university housing (am) & 2021 Wildcat Marching Band welcome meeting. Required for all members.
    • September 18, 2021- September 21, 2021- Pre-season Marching Band Camp. Required for all members (In addition, freshman & transfer students will participate in some events through Orientation and Transition Programs).
    • September 21, 2021- 2021 CWU Wildcat Marching Band Preview Performance (Tomlinson Stadium)
    • September 25, 2021- Home football vs. Angelo State
    • October 2, 2021- Home football vs. Midwestern State
    • October 23, 2021- Home football vs. Western Oregon (Homecoming)
    • October 30, 2021- Home football vs. Lincoln University (CA)
    • November 8, 2021- Marching Band Recording Session (Hertz Concert Hall, 4:00pm- 6:00pm)
    • November 10, 2021- Marching Band Recording Session (Hertz Concert Hall, 4:00pm- 6:00pm)
    • November 13, 2021 - Home football vs. Simon Fraser

CWU Basketball BandBrass section at a basketball game.

The Central Washington University Basketball Band is an auditioned group of up to 48 players that support the men and women’s basketball teams and other special events during the late fall/winter quarters. Consisting of winds and percussion (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, sousaphone, guitar, electric bass, and drum set) the group serves as a spirit leader and musical ambassador for the CSU athletic community.

Membership is open to all students regardless of academic major by audition. Auditions take place in mid fall (late November) and are announced in advanced. Members selected for the ensemble receive a performance stipend for participation. The ensemble is under the supervision of Professor Paul Bain, associate director of bands.

Basketball Band Auditions

Basketball band will be beginning the audition process very soon! For more information, and to submit your audition, visit the Basketball Band page.

Master of Music - Wind Band Conducting

The goal of the graduate wind band conducting program (MM) at Central Washington University places strong emphasis on the training of the 21st century artist/conductor who is flexible and capable of succeeding in an evolving field of music education. The program offers candidates a diverse, collaborative, comprehensive, and inclusive approach to the art of conducting and teaching.

Over the course of a two-year residency, program candidates are involved in rigorous academic coursework, attend weekly private lessons with the director of bands, engage in monthly seminars on special topics in conducting and education, serve as a guest conductor for all of the band program’s concert bands, and assist with the organization and operation of the athletic bands. Graduate students in conducting are eligible to receive graduate teaching assistantships.

Interested applicants for the wind band conducting program should hold a bachelor’s degree in music. Although not a requirement, it is preferred that the applicants have at least two years of public-school teaching experience. The conducting studio is designed to be small and selective to maximize student growth. Interested applicants are encouraged to send initial contacts to Dr. T. André Feagin as well as consulting our Graduate Admissions for Music page for further information.

  • Wind Band Conducting Requirements

    The wind band conducting program at Central Washington University requires a pre-screening process before a formal invitation to audition is offered. Interested applicants should make initial contact with Dr. T. André Feagin, director of bands by December 1 the fall before expected academic study to indicate their intent to audition.

    For pre-screening, candidates are required to submit a conducting video. The recording should be no longer than 25 minutes in length and include both rehearsal and performance footage if possible. The video should capture the conductor facing the camera and be in full frontal or partial profile view. Video footage should be uploaded to YouTube (set to unlisted) and the link sent directly to the director of bands for review. It is recommended that this step be completed by February 1.

    After materials are reviewed, the most qualified candidates will be invited to Ellensburg, WA for a formal audition and interview (during the winter quarter) if possible. At this time, candidates should also review the Graduate Admissions for Music page for details on graduate school admissions. It is expected that by the time of the formal audition outlined below that candidates have applied for both admission and graduate assistantships.

    Formal Audition | In Person

    The live audition/interview will consist of the following:

    • An interview with Dr. T. André Feagin discussing the applicant’s personal and professional goals, teaching philosophy, and musical experience.
    • A diagnostic examination in aural skills, score identification, transposition, musical terminology, wind band repertoire, and conducting technique.
    • A twenty-minute audition with the Central Washington University Wind Ensemble. Candidates will be notified in advanced of the repertoire for this portion of the audition process.

    For more information contact:
    Dr. T. André Feagin, director of bands
    TAndre.Feagin@cwu.edu
    (509) 963-1916 (office)