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 5:30-6:45 pm.

  • 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 2025 Wind Auditions

AUDITION PROCEDURES

All wind instrumentalists wishing to perform in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Orchestra for the Spring 2025 semester will need to submit a video audition for either placement in the wind ensemble and/or orchestra or part assignment for the symphonic band. Membership to Wind Ensemble and Orchestra is by audition. Symphonic Band is open to any student, but complete the following steps for part assignments. 

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

Results will be announced by Thursday, January 9. Rehearsals for concert ensembles will begin the first week of classes (week of January 13). It is greatly encouraged that music majors audition for Wind Ensemble on their primary instrument.

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. Please read the cover sheet to know exactly what to prepare. There are separate folders for symphonic band and wind ensemble excerpts.

AUDITION INFORMATION & EXCERPTS

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 2025 CLASS SCHEDULE 

Wind Ensemble MWF 2:30-3:45 pm

Symphonic Band TTh 4:00-5:15 pm

Orchestra 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-music majors will also need to register for the ensemble you are in. If you register for Symphonic Band MUPF 1113, you can add Wind Ensemble MUPF 1112 if you make the group and it fits in your schedule. If you register for Wind Ensemble MUPF 1112, but do not make the group, you’ll need to add Symphonic Band MUPF 1113 instead.

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.

ENSEMBLE MEETING TIMES & ENROLLMENT

  • WIND ENSEMBLE (M|W|F 2:30-3:45 pm, Robinson Hall Room 210)
  • SYMPHONIC BAND (T|Th 4:00-5:15 pm, Robinson Hall Room 210)
  • ORCHESTRA (T|W|Th 2:30-3:45 pm, Rowe Recital Hall)*
    *wind/percussion students placed in orchestra will register for a special T/Th rehearsal section. This is to prevent conflicts with wind ensemble while also ensuring more time for the orchestral winds to rehearse as a section.

You will need to register for the ensemble you are a part of. Music majors 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-music majors will also need to register for the ensemble you are in. If you register for Symphonic Band MUPF 1113, you can add Wind Ensemble MUPF 1112 if you make the group and it fits in your schedule. If you register for Wind Ensemble MUPF 1112, but do not make the group, you’ll need to add Symphonic Band MUPF 1113 instead.

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.