Purdue Symphonic Band

The highly selective Purdue Symphonic Band, directed by Jay S. Gephart, includes some of the finest instrumentalists on the Purdue campus. Its membership is determined through auditions at the beginning of the academic year, and usually numbers between 60 and 70 wind, brass and percussion players. This ensemble presents formal concerts on campus each semester, and boasts an impressive record of performances around the world including Canada, Japan, South America and Europe as well as the United States.In March of 2006, the Symphonic Band performed on the Carnegie Hall stage as the Showcase Band at the New York Wind Band Festival. Its’ rich history also includes performances under the baton of some of the world's finest conductors, ranging from John Philip Sousa to Arthur Fiedler, and from Karl King to Harry Begian. Most recently the band has had the privilege of working with many of the world’s great band composers including Frank Ticheli, Timothy Mahr, David Holsinger, and Robert Jager. Purdue will welcome David Gillingham in 2007 and Philip Sparke in 2008.

The curriculum for the Symphonic Band consists of wind literature representative of the genre throughout the 20th century. Special emphasis is placed on the performance of contemporary literature written by prominent and emerging composers in the field of wind composition. Additional emphasis is placed on the historical development of music through the performance of transcriptions of orchestral masterworks.

Performances of the Symphonic Band have featured nationally recognized guest soloists as well as solo performances by the Purdue Applied Music faculty. Recent soloists have included Susan Rider, trumpet, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band; Patrick Sheridan, freelance musician and internationally famous tuba virtuoso; Rex Richardson, former member of Dallas Brass and professor of trumpet at Virginia Commonwealth University.

In April of 2003, the Symphonic Band performed Echoes of Indiana , an original ballet written by Sandra Peticolas and performed in collaboration with the Lafayette Ballet Company. The ballet depicted Indiana history with emphasis placed on trials and tribulations of Native American in the early part of our state's history. The symphonic band used original band compositions as music for the ballet. The entire collaboration between University Bands and Lafayette Ballet was part of the department's effort to build stronger relationships with arts organizations outside the university. The ballet was performed for the public and was presented to 4 th graders from Tippecanoe and surrounding counties as an educational outreach program.

The Symphonic Band has also been an integral part the "Partners in Music Education" program. The purpose of the program-to establish a partnership with a high school instrumental music program within the state of Indiana, involving all facets of instrumental music education.

Since the implementation of the program in 2000, the following schools have been participants:

North Central High School, Indianapolis, William Henry Harrison High School, West Lafayette, Penn High School, Mishawaka and Westside High School, West Lafayette, Lebanon High School, McCutcheon High School, Lafayette, Columbus North High School and Northwood High School.

Symphonic Band membership is determined through playing auditions conducted each semester. Faculty members evaluate performance of a prepared work, along with sight reading skills. As is true of other Bands ensembles, participating students earn two hours of academic credit each semester. Students grow musically, and earn the respect of university and community audiences through involvement in concert bands while, at the same time, finding a respite from the daily academic grind. Symphonic Band meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the semester.

Interested in joining the Purdue Symphonic Band?

Click here for audition information