Vermont Wind Ensemble Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a music major or music minor to play?
No! Students who play in Wind Ensemble come from all majors,
Colleges, and Schools across campus - you might sit beside someone
with a major in Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Education, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Nursing, or Social
Work. In fact, that's a great thing about the ensembles at UVM:
students from all majors come together to make music. And
because ensembles make up 1/3 of the music minor, students
needing/wanting a minor who want to continue playing in college
often declare a music as their minor (ask Prof. Toner if you have
any questions about this).
Can community members play in the group?
Yes! Community members can play in Wind Ensemble if there is room
(students have preference) and they have a successful audition.
Community members pay a $50 participation fee each semester.
Do I have to audition?
Yes. Students need to audition each year. Click here
to find information about this year's auditions.
How big is the Wind Ensemble?
We generally have between 40 - 50 players, though it varies a bit
from semester to semester.
What if I don't own an instrument?
Students may borrow a UVM instrument at no charge! The Band owns
lots of instruments, including bass clarinets, tenor and bari saxes,
trombones, and tubas that can be borrowed to play in Wind Ensemble
for the semester.
Do I have to carry my instrument back and forth from my dorm
room?
No, lockers are available from Prof. Toner for most instruments at
no charge. It is always a good idea to make sure your instrument is
covered by insurance (such as a parent's homeowner's policy) before
you bring it to school.
What is the atmosphere like during rehearsals?
We try to balance hard work and fun, so you will be encouraged to
play better - not screamed at. The interaction between
community members and students is a supportive one, not a
competitive one. In fact, we rotate parts - that means that
you'll play high and low parts, which makes the audition important
in helping to determine what parts are the best fit for each
player. So a first-year student might play the first part on a
piece while a music teacher with a Master's degree plays third, then
on the next piece the parts might flip.
Can I take Wind Ensemble for credit?
Yes, Wind Ensemble is a
one-credit class that you enroll in at Registration, just like
any other class. Ask Prof. Toner about the one-credit and
zero credit options for those of you already with 18 or 19
credits.
What kind of music does the Band play?
Everything from Concert Band "classics" like the Holst suites to
newer pieces like Danza Barbarica, written for the Band by
UVM alumnus David Myers and the world premier of Elegy for a
Friend by Russian composer Svetlana Artemieva. Recent
concerts have included Armenian Dances (Part One)
– Reed, Overture to Candide – Bernstein/Beeler, A
Movement for Rosa – Camphouse, Vesuvius - Ticheli, and
Variations on a Korean Folk Song – Chance. You
can find recent programs here if
you'd like more details.
How many concerts do you play?
The Wind Ensemble usually plays once every semester, with occasional
additional performances on or off-campus.Who is the conductor? Prof.
D. Thomas Toner is a graduate of the UMass/Amherst, Yale, and
the Eastman School of Music. He is Principal Percussionist of the
Vermont Symphony and can be heard on many CD's, including those of
the Counterpoint Choir and Trey Anastasio.
What if I have more questions?
You can contact Prof. Toner at d.toner@uvm.edu.