Wind Symphony

The University of Akron Wind Symphony, conducted by the Director of Bands, is the most select ensemble of wind and percussion students on The University of Akron campus. One of the Midwest’s premiere wind groups, the Wind Symphony most recently performed at the 2024 Regional Conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) in Columbus, Ohio. Additional performances include appearances at the 2022, 2020, 2018 & 2016 OMEA Professional Development Conferences in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Wind Symphony performs the finest repertoire for wind band and has been active in commissioning and premiering new works. In 2024, the UA Wind Symphony premiered Ryan Nowlin's Song of Solace, celebrating the life of UA Band Alumnus, Jordin Andrews and made possible by the support of his parents, Linda and Jeff Andrews. Additionally, the members and alumni of the Zeta Omicron Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the Epsilon Iota Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, and other friends and supporters comissioned Kevin Day to compose UPLIFT: "We Rise Together" in celebration of the 50th anniversary of installing both chapters at The University of Akron. Through the generous support of The University of Akron Women's Committee, the UA Bands were able to participate in a commissioning project in 2019, coordinated by Carl T. Rowles, Director of Bands at Kansas Wesleyan University. The result of the consortium, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Women's Suffrage Movement included four new works by Kimberly Archer, Grace Baugher, Stephanie Berg, and Nicole Piunno. In December 2016 the UA Symphonic Band premiered Mark Camphouse's ILLUMINATIONS (On America The Beautiful) - composed and commissioned by a consortium of wind band conductors and alumni in honor of the legacy of Director of Bands, Emeritus, Robert D. Jorgensen. Additional premiere performances include James Curnow's Hail the Champions (2016) - commissioned by Drs. Mark and Sandy Auburn in honor of Dr. William K. Guegold, Director of the School of Music, Emeritus at The University of Akron and UA School of Music Composition faculty member, Dr. Nikola Resanovic's With a Wave of the Hand (2016) - composed in honor of Robert D. Jorgensen. In 2012, under the direction of Robert D. Jorgensen, the UA Symphonic Band premiered David Gillingham's Nights in Tobago - commissioned by Drs. Mark and Sandy Auburn in honor of Distinguished Professor of Percussion at The University of Akron, Dr. Larry Snider.

The Wind Symphony (formerly the UA Symphonic Band) has previously appeared under the direction of Director of Bands Emeritus, Robert D. Jorgensen, at numerous national, regional and state conventions, highlighted by performances at both the American Bandmasters Association National Convention in Baltimore Maryland, and the College Band Directors National Association Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Other major performances include numerous appearances at the Ohio Music Education Association Conference, the College Band Directors National Association Convention in East Lansing, Michigan, and in Kansas City, Missouri, and tours throughout Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

The Wind Symphony has performed with such noted composers, conductors, and artists as Samuel Adler, James Barnes, Harry Begian, Frank Bencriscutto, Kenneth Bloomquist, Lt. Col. Alan L. Bonner, Col. John Bourgeois, Mark Camphouse, Dave Catron, Ray Cramer, James Curnow, Elliot Del Borgo, Thomas Duffy, Robert E. Fleming, David Gillingham, Col. Jack Grogan, Joseph Herman, Leslie Hicken, James Keene, Mark Kelly, Earl Louder, W. Francis McBeth, Donald McGinnis, Stanley Michalski, John Paynter, Stephen Peterson, Alfred Reed, H. Owen Reed, William D. Revelli, Col. L. Bryan Shelbourne, William Silvester, Gary Smith, Richard Suddendorf, Robert Van Sice, Jay Wadenpfhal, Myron Welch, and John Zdechlik.

Audition information

Auditions for the Wind Symphony are held each year during the first week of the fall semester. Further auditions are held in the spring semester only if openings should occur. The Wind Symphony rehearses three times a week, 12:55 - 2:50 p.m. Monday & Wednesday and 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. on Friday.