• Illinois Wind Symphony
  
• Symphonic Bands I
  
• Symphonic Bands II
  
• Concert Bands I
  
• Concert Bands IIA and IIB
  
• UI British Brass Band
  
• UI Clarinet Choir
  
• UI Summer Band
  

Comprised of approximately 60 undergraduate and graduate music majors who have attained the highest level of proficiency on their instruments, the Illinois Wind Symphony is the premiere ensemble of the University of Illinois band program. Performing the finest available repertoire, the ensemble's performances include traditional wind band literature, one-per-part chamber works and premiere performances of new compositions in the wind band genre.

The Illinois Wind Symphony has earned an international reputation for excellence in woodwind, brass, and percussion performance, representing the University Bands and the UI School of Music at countless state and national music conventions. In addition, the Wind Symphony has toured Great Britain and most recently performed at Carnegie Hall.

Auditions for the Illinois Wind Symphony are held once per semester. Click here for further information.

Symphonic Band I is a 65 member wind/band selected from the most outstanding wind and percussion majors on the UI campus. In addition to exploring traditional and contemporary works for bands, this ensemble is capable of performing wind chamber music representing all periods and styles. The band maintains an active schedule and enjoys a reputation as a group committed to only the highest musical standards.

Auditions for Symphonic Band I are held once per semester. Click here for further information.

Consisting primarily of undergraduate music majors, Symphonic Band II maintain a full concert band instrumentation for the study and performance of the finest band standards and contemporary literature. The band performs at least two concerts per semester showcasing the high level of musicianship attained by the 75 performers comprising this ensemble.

Auditions for Symphonic Band II are held once per semester. Click here for further information.

Concert Band I includes music majors as well as talented musicians from many other academic disciplines. The Concert Band I maintains an active performance schedule and plays the highest level literature, allowing students to continue and enrich their previous musical experiences at the university level.

Auditions for seating in Concert Band I are held once per semester, following all Symphonic Band auditions. Click here for further information.

Concert Band IIA and IIB are open to students from all colleges and departments of the University, and is designed to give further opportunity for the non-music major to participate in the highest quality musical experience possible. These ensembles offer the opportunity to play excellent repertoire at a high level of performance.

In addition to ensuring inclusion for all qualified and interested University students in the UI Bands Program, Concert Bands IIA and IIB often provide a setting for music education majors to gain experience and build proficiency on their secondary wind instruments.

Auditions for seating in Concert Bands IIA and IIB are held once per semester, following all Symphonic Band auditions. Click here for further information.

The British Brass Band meets during the Spring Semester and is limited to a strict instrumentation of 32 wind and percussion players. Selection to perform in this ensemble is by audition and concurrent registration in one of the six concert bands. Due to the absence of woodwinds or strings who normally perform the technically intricate parts in concert bands and orchestras, performing in the British Brass Band provides brass and percussion students a unique opportunity to display their musicianship and technical skills. Musical selections are chosen from works written specifically for brass band or from arrangements and transcriptions by arrangers with extensive backgrounds in brass band scoring.

Auditions for the UI British Brass Band are held every Spring semester. Click here for further information.

The UI Clarinet Choir performs arrangements of standard symphonic works as well as the latest in contemporary works written for clarinet ensemble. The Clarinet Choir boasts a full instrumentation of clarinets, including Eb and Bb Soprano, Alto, Bass, Contralto, and Contrabass clarinets. Programming pieces from the world's largest library of works for clarinet ensemble, the UI Clarinet Choir maintains an active performance schedule and hosts the UIUC Clarinet Choir Festival each Spring.

Auditions for the UI Clarinet Choir are held once per semester. Interested clarinetists should contact the University Bands Office for more information about joining the UI Clarinet Choir.

The UI Summer Band meets during the second summer session, and performs two "Twilight Concerts" on the UI Quadrangle. The summer band's repertoire includes standard works for band, challenging contemporary pieces, as well as popular selections from a wide array of musical styles.

Those interested in Summer Band should stop by the University Bands Office to pick up a rehearsal/performance schedule and add their name to the participation sign-up sheet. Enrollment is not necessary for membership in the Summer Band, and no audition is required.