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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Yale Concert Band?
The Yale Concert Band, the musical center for the woodwind and brass world
at Yale University, is best known for its varied repertoire which spans
from traditional marches, world premieres, and crowd favorites to the
music of Glenn Miller and theatrical pieces (involving black lights, a
fog machine, and sunglasses). Recent successes for the ensemble include a Brazilian tour to wild acclaim in the summer of 2007 and an appearance at the 2008 College Band Directors National Association Conference in Washington, DC.
How does one audition for the Concert Band?
Auditions for the Yale Concert Band will be held in the Band Room, 301
Hendrie Hall, 165 Elm Street, in early September. All interested musicians
should prepare a piece of music which demonstrates your artistic and technical
abilities (i.e.: an All-State audition piece or comparable etude) and
be prepared to sight read. We do have some instruments available for rental
for those of you who do not have your own. Call us if you have any questions
about auditions (203) 432-4111; please think about auditioning now while
there is time to practice a bit. We want to affiliate all qualified musicians
at Yale!
What kind of time commitment is involved?
The Yale Concert Band rehearses four hours per week -- every Tuesday and
Thursday from 4:15-6:15. The ensemble performs four concerts per year
at Yale's Woolsey Hall, goes on retreat in the fall, performs a few off-site
concerts, and is in the planning stages for a post-commencement international
summer tour. Members are encouraged to take advantage of group-sponsored
social events (movie nights, bowling, etc) and the overall time commitment
to the ensemble is largely determined by the enthusiasm of the individual
player.
What type of music does the YCB play?
Take a look at the extensive YCB Repertoire
which covers all Woolsey Hall concerts from 1982 through the present.
Who is the conductor of the Yale Concert Band?
The concert band is conducted by
Dr. Thomas C. Duffy,
Adjunct Professor in the School of Music and Yale University's Director of
Bands.
Does the Yale Concert Band go on tour?
The Yale Concert Band has the distinction of being the first United States
college concert band to tour Europe, that being in 1956 with Director
of Bands and Professor Emeritus Keith L. Wilson. Since that time, the
Concert Band has completed twenty concert tours to Puerto Rico, California,
Florida, Texas, the Netherlands, Germany, France (twice), Switzerland,
England (three times), Denmark, Bermuda (twice), Japan, Italy, Ireland, Spain
and the north coast of Africa, and Austria and the Czech Republic.
The Yale Concert Band toured Brazil in the summer of 2007 and is currently in the planning stages for a summer 2009 tour.
How do I get music lessons at Yale?
Highly trained musicians at Yale College may qualify for a program that
awards course credit for students taking free music lessons. Students
audition in September at the Yale School of Music, one of the top music
graduate schools in the country, and are matched with excellent teachers,
including School of Music faculty and highly-trained graduate students.
Participating students must have taken or be concurrently enrolled in
Music 210 or 211. Placement examinations for music classes are administered
by the Music Department in the first week. If you are not selected for
lessons for credit, students are still matched with a teacher and have
the opportunity to take lessons with them for a fee.
How do I get involved in the Yale Concert Band?
The Yale Bands will have an informational
meeting in early September in 301 Hendrie Hall. At this meeting, audition
dates will be set up and excerpts will be handed out for the auditions.
Be prepared for the audition with a solo piece and the excerpts. Notification
of acceptance to the group will take place by then end of the first week.
How can I learn more about the YCB?
Contact Stephanie Hubbard, the Yale Bands manager, via email at
stephanie.hubbard@yale.edu
or by phone at (203) 432-4111. Also, feel free to contact the Yale
Bands' Officers with any questions you may have.
Still have questions?
Send an email to Rita Alway, the Yale Bands President,
with any additional questions you may have.