Overview

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Bands provide students with a variety of unique and high-quality musical, artistic, and social experiences that can be found nowhere else on campus. We offer four bands at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. Each ensemble is open to music majors AND non-music majors who perform woodwind, brass, percussion instruments and select guitarists, bassists (electric and acoustic), and pianists. We also have a scholarship program called the that will award a $6,000 scholarship (renewable for four years) to eligible band students.

Ensembles

As a musician at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, we encourage students to participate in any or all ensembles. We understand that students come from diverse backgrounds, and we pride ourselves on balancing rehearsal commitments without sacrificing the quality of our product. The band program consists of four ensembles.

The ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Wind Ensemble meets in the fall and spring semesters, and we focus on providing an artistic experience for all members. The wind ensemble gives one concert per semester in which we perform a wide variety of established and newly composed repertoire at the highest level possible. It’s a great way to refine ensemble skills and techniques and perform exciting music.

The ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Concert Band is a class that welcomes students, faculty, and community members of all abilities. This ensemble meets once per week, has one concert each semester, and develops strong music fundamentals.

Our marching band, The Fire of the Carolinas (FOTC), meets in the fall semester, performs for all home football games and special events around campus, and emphasizes creating a close-knit family atmosphere with its members. As well as wind and percussion instruments, the FOTC integrates color guard and twirlers to enhance our visual effects on the field. Our goal in the FOTC is to develop a sense of community between the music department, athletics, and the university by performing quality, entertaining music. In addition to our usually scheduled class (Monday and Wednesday from 4:00-5:40), we host a band camp before school starts to develop the skills and techniques necessary to perform for the season; no marching experience is required. Additionally, we understand that your time is valuable. Any admitted student enrolled in the FOTC who completes the season will receive a scholarship of at least $500.

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Pep Band (EPB) begins after football season, and like marching band, we strive to develop a sense of community amongst our students and throughout the university. Though EPB is not an official course on campus, this pep band operates under a limited rehearsal schedule to accommodate students’ schedules. In addition to traveling to conference tournaments, students are compensated for their time based on the number of services performed.