Band Ensembles
University Wind Symphony
Under the direction of Dustin Barr - Director of Bands, the University Wind Symphony, acclaimed for its broad repertoire and excellence, performs contemporary music by important American composers such as Kraft, Grantham, Welcher, Husa, and Ticheli as well as the traditional concert band music of Sousa, Holst and Vaughn Williams. The ensemble is comprised of the finest wind studies majors in the School of Music, and has performed throughout the world. Tours have included a performance in Lisbon sponsored by the US Embassy and culminated with a performance with one of Portugal's most highly regarded bands in the city of Alcochete; the Jeju International Band Festival in South Korea, and the Japan Band Director’s Association annual clinic at Nemo-No-Sato. The Wind Symphony has also performed numerous times for the College Band Directors National Association's (CBDNA) Regional Conference and the California Band Directors Annual Convention. During Dr. Barr's tenure, the University Wind Symphony made its first appearance at the 2019 CBDNA National Conference in Arizona.
The CSU Fullerton University Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Associate Director of Bands Dr. Gregory Xavier Whitmore, centers artistry and musical excellence each concert season. The University Symphonic Winds continues to explore new music initiatives each concert season, undertaking commissions and world premieres of new works for winds by renowned and emerging composers. With a primacy towards artistic collaboration, the University Symphonic Winds regularly welcomes composers to Orange County for residencies with the ensemble. Previous composer residencies have featured composers Jack Bertrand, Kevin Charoensri, Viet Cuong, Frank Duarte, Adam Schoenberg, Alex Shapiro, Larry Tuttle, and others. Additionally, the University Symphonic Winds regularly collaborate with guest artists and esteemed conductors from across the United States - including Pacific Symphony Orchestra Music Director Maestro Carl St. Clair.
Programmatically, the University Symphonic Winds balances the breadth and depth of the established wind band repertory with works that are, “of our time”. Members of the University Symphonic Winds are selected by audition and are students in the applied studios of the California State University Fullerton School of Music. The University Symphonic Winds undertakes performance tours and has been a featured performer at local and regional conferences. Each concert season, The University Symphonic Winds present a concert series consisting of six to eight performances. The University Symphonic Winds performance home is the beautiful Vaughncille Joseph Meng Concert Hall on the Cal State Fullerton campus (Fullerton, CA).
The California State University Fullerton – University Symphonic Winds
University Band
Music making is a life-long pursuit and the CSUF School of Music wants every student, regardless of their major, to have an opportunity to continue playing. The University Band (MUS 406U) is designed and structured with this in mind. The ensemble is primarily made up of non-music majors representing the entire campus community. Some music majors also enroll, often performing on a secondary instrument to strengthen their skills as future music educators. The ensemble is conducted by Dr. Dustin Barr and assisted by graduate conducting students, making it a unique learning opportunity for ensemble members and conductors alike.
The band meets on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:50pm. There are no auditions for membership, though a small audition may be required to determine part assignments. The time commitment outside of class consists of one or two concerts per semester.
