This spring, UNCG’s Wind Ensemble barnstormed across more than 1,000 miles of the American South. From North Carolina to Texas, this elite ensemble packed their instruments and hit the road for a nine-day-long whirlwind tour that covered six cities.

One prestigious performance took place at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) National Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. “This is the greatest performance opportunity for collegiate band at the highest level in the United States,” says UNCG Director of Bands Dr. Jonathan Caldwell.

His students’ hard work as an ensemble and as individuals earned them the invitation, he says. “I just marvel at their ability levels. They bring such energy, and you can see the connection with each other when they land that piece that they’ve been working so hard on.”

The Wind Ensemble is a highly select concert band of fifty performers majoring in music at the UNCG School of Music. They range from first-year students to master’s and doctoral candidates.

“I chose to study music at UNCG because of the faculty and community within the School of Music. At the other schools I auditioned at, it wasn’t the same,” says undergraduate Wyatt Roper, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet.  

Michael Mangrum, who is in his first year of a Master of Music in Trombone, says playing at the CBDNA conference will be a highlight of his college career. “I never imagined I would have the chance to go on a tour this extensive with any ensemble.”

Caldwell says the tour was a great way to both attract new students and involve School of Music alumni. “We invited alumni band directors to bring their students so these high schoolers could see what’s going on at UNCG, that we’ve got a good thing going here, and they can be a part of it. We also wanted our alumni to see that we’re still doing things at a very high level.”

Learn more at the CVPA website.

Courtesy photo