Bands

Wind Ensemble

The bands at UNC Charlotte seek to foster artistic opportunities of the highest level. Inspiring, building community, and celebrating a diversity of experiences through engaging and representative programming that connect our students and audiences while serving as a resource to local music educators and programs.

We are dedicated to broadening musicianship and artistry through performing both new music and music of historical, cultural, and societal interest.

Whether you wish to participate in a quality concert ensemble or perform as a member of a high-energy athletic band, we have a place for you. Each year students from every major in every college join one or more of our band organizations.

Ensembles

  • Wind Ensemble (MUPF 1112): The Wind Ensemble is the university’s most advanced organization for winds and percussion, performing a wide variety of music from traditional to contemporary. The Wind Ensemble presents at least two concerts per semester and frequently gives concert tours throughout North Carolina and the Southeast. The ensemble has performed multiple times for North Carolina Music Educators Association and College Band Directors National Association Southern Division conferences and is active in commissioning and premiering new works for winds and percussion. All prospective members must audition at the beginning of each semester. The Wind Ensemble meets MWF 2:30-3:45 pm.
  • Symphonic Band (MUPF 1113) The Symphonic Band presents two concerts each semester, offering a diverse and engaging repertoire. The ensemble is open to all students regardless of major without an audition. All students must complete a placement audition at the beginning of each semester to establish part placement. The Symphonic Band meets TTh 4:00-5:15 pm.
  • Concert Band (MUPF 1119 Special Instrumental Ensemble: Concert Band) : The Concert Band is a campus-wide band open to woodwind, brass, and percussion students of all majors. The ensemble is a spring semester class and performs one concert of varied traditional and contemporary repertoire. Concert Band is geared specifically to non-majors who seek additional opportunities to play, as well as music education majors seeking experience on secondary instruments and learning additional repertoire and rehearsal strategies. Concert Bands meet Wednesdays from 7:00-9:15 in the spring semester.
  • Marching Band (MUPF 1118): The UNC Charlotte “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band (PNNMB) is the largest and most visible spirit organization on campus, representing a wide variety of majors from each college within the university. The band entertains thousands of fans each year at football games, community performances, and regional high school marching band festivals. The band’s unique style combines exciting arrangements from diverse musical genres with traditional and contemporary drill design. If you are interested in the PNNMB, please complete our interest form.

  • 49ers Basketball Band (MUPF 1114)
    The 49ers Basketball Band performs for both men’s and women’s basketball teams throughout the basketball season. As an NCAA Division I program, band members travel to annual conference tournament games, including the NCAA basketball tournament. Membership to the 49ers Basketball Band is contingent upon audition in October.

Dr. Hunter Kopczynski Director of Bands | hkopczyn@charlotte.edu

Dr. Brian Taylor Director of Athletic Bands & Associate Director of Bands | brian.taylor@charlotte.edu

Jennifer Anderson Marching Band Business Services Coordinator | jennifer.anderson@charlotte.edu

Spring 2026 Wind Auditions

Audition Procedures

All wind instrumentalists wishing to perform in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Orchestra for the Spring 2026 semester will need to submit a video audition for either placement in the wind ensemble, symphonic band, and/or orchestra. Concert Band is open to any student without an audition. 

Music majors audition should complete the audition for Wind Ensemble. If you are not placed in Wind Ensemble, you will be placed in Symphonic Band. 

Audition submissions are due by 11:59 PM on Friday, January 2. 

Results will be announced by Friday, January 9. Rehearsals for concert ensembles will begin the first week of classes (week of January 12). 

Percussionists: placement will be determined by Professor Dior. If you are a non-music major percussion student, please email Dr. Kopczynski (hkopczyn@charlotte.edu) directly for placement information.

STEP 1
Download and prepare your audition material. 

AUDITION INFORMATION & EXCERPTS WILL BE POSTED HERE IN NOVEMBER

STEP 2
Record all audition material onto one video file. Upload file to YouTube as an unlisted link. 

STEP 3
Complete audition form. Form is not complete until you have provided the unlisted YouTube link to your video audition.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the woodwind and brass placement audition process, please contact Dr. Kopczynski at hkopczyn@charlotte.edu. If you are a string player please contact Dr. Yamamoto at ayamamot@charlotte.edu.

SPRING 2026 CLASS SCHEDULE 

  • Wind Ensemble (MUPF 1112) MWF 2:30-3:45 pm 
  • Symphonic Band (MUPF 1113) TTh 4:00-5:15 pm 
  • Concert Band (MUPF 1119 Special Instrumental Ensemble: Concert Band) W 7:00-9:15pm
  • Orchestra (MUPF 1110) TWTh 2:30-3:45 pm 

You will need to register for the ensemble you are a part of. Music majors and returning Wind Ensemble members should register for Wind Ensemble MUPF 1112, but if you do not get selected for Wind Ensemble, you will need to drop MUPF 1112 and add Symphonic Band MUPF 1113. Non-majors can elect to be in any ensemble (Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band by audition, Concert Band without an audition)

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the woodwind and brass placement audition process, please contact Dr. Kopczynski at hkopczyn@charlotte.edu. Percussion auditions will be handled by Dr. Kopczynski and our percussion professor, Prof. Rick Dior.