University of Illinois Bands

The Illinois Wind Symphony is the premier wind ensemble of the University of Illinois School of Music, comprising approximately sixty of the university’s most accomplished undergraduate and graduate musicians. The ensemble includes students from a range of majors in the School of Music and the university at-large, who have been selected by competitive audition. The Illinois Wind Symphony represents the highest level of wind, brass, and percussion performance at Illinois.

Renowned for its artistry and versatility, the Wind Symphony performs a broad spectrum of repertoire ranging from cornerstone masterworks of the wind band canon to chamber literature and newly commissioned compositions. The ensemble is actively committed to the commissioning and performance of new music and regularly collaborates with leading artists of our time. Recent collaborations have included guest composers Christopher Cerrone, Gala Flagello, Patrick Harlin, James Lee III, Joel Puckett, Hilary Purrington, Erik Santos, and Augusta Read Thomas, guest soloists Julian Bliss, Hub New Music, and Lindsay Kesselman, and numerous faculty composers and soloists.

Throughout its history, the ensemble has performed at prominent venues and events regionally, nationally, and internationally, including numerous ABA and CBDNA conventions and performances at Chicago’s Symphony Center, and Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Tonight’s performance marks the ensemble’s seventh performance for the annual convention of the American Bandmasters Association. Alumni of the Illinois Wind Symphony are found in major orchestras, premier military bands, and distinguished university faculty positions throughout the United States and abroad.

Schedule

Wind Symphony - MUSC 480
1:00pm - 3:50 pm | Monday and Wednesday

Room 141, Harding Band Building
Dr. Kevin M. Geraldi, conductor

*All ensembles are open to music majors and non-majors based on audition.