The UW-Stout Bands welcome all student instrumentalists to become a part of our groups. Anyone who has participated in their high school music program or equivalent may be a part of the University Bands.
The Symphonic Band (Music 266 — Concert Band) is our largest group and performs standard and new literature for symphonic band, orchestral transcripts, and lighter favorites. The group performs one concert each semester, at commencement ceremonies, and takes a short tour in the spring semester.
The Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra (Music 264 — Jazz Band) performs music from across the jazz spectrum including swing, Latin, rock and fusion styles. The group performs one concert each semester, at commencement ceremonies, and takes a short tour in the spring semester.
The Blue Devil Jazz Project is our pep band ensemble that is based on the idea of a New Orleans street band with a hip groove. This group performs at selected athletic events and other venues on and off campus. The group is brand new and we are working to make it an iconic group of the university. Students wishing to participate in this group must also be a part of either the Symphonic Band or Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra. See below for more information.
The Blue Devil Jazz Embers is a jazz combo that performs on and off campus for a variety of events.This small group focuses on developing improvisation skills and plays a variety of jazz standards.
Students may also participate in several small ensembles (Solo & Ensemble - Music 268).A percussion ensemble and jazz combo are typically organized each semester.Depending on time availability and interest, students may also play in a woodwind quintet, brass quintet, or saxophone quartet.Small ensemble perform at the large group concerts each semester and additional venues as available.
Aaron M. Durst (Director of Instrumental Music) is an active saxophonist pursuing performance and commissioning opportunities for new music.
Blue Devil Jazz Project
The UW-Stout Blue Devil Jazz Project is a unique ensemble that will provide music for activities, celebrations, and festivities on the UW-Stout campus and community. We have performed at football games, basketball games, the Chancellor’s inauguration, commencement ceremonies, and jazz concerts.
- The group would be best described as a New Orleans style street jazz ensemble. It might be compared to a pep band but the music is better.
- We move and perform in the street, at outside venues, or for indoor stationary performances. The group does not move in the military-style formations associated with marching bands, but rather moves casually as a unit with simple musical accompaniment, stopping occasionally to perform more complex numbers.
- Music would be joyous and rhythmic, reminiscent of New Orleans or Kansas City jazz with a modern sound. We model our sound on that of groups like the Rebirth Brass Band and the Youngblood Brass Band.
- Instrumentation will be based on typical jazz instrumentation of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and drums with sousaphone as bass. You do not have to have jazz experience or improvise to participate. The group is typically 15-20 members.
- We rehearse on Fridays 3:35-5:00 pm but there will be some flexibility with rehearsal times.
