Bands

Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble & Basketball Band

The Bower School of Music & the Arts wind bands are open to all students on campus regardless of major. Auditions take place in the Fall and Spring prior to classes beginning. The wind bands are the Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble & Basketball Band.

Brass and Woodwind ensemble placement auditions take place in person or via Zoom. To schedule an audition, go to 1:1 with Jones.

Percussion placement auditions take place in the Rehearsal Hall (MUS 112) of the Bower School of Music Building and should be arranged with Professor Jones at tvjones@fgcu.edu. Review the audition procedure and prepare the audition music to the best of your ability. We look forward to having you with us!

Wind Orchestra

The FGCU Wind Orchestra includes the finest brass, woodwind, and percussion students at Florida Gulf Coast University, and is guided by a philosophy grounded in the study and performance of the highest quality music composed for wind band. Every member of the ensemble is regarded as a “principal player” and is responsible for performing one player to a part with an emphasis on expressive musicianship and artistry. Formed in 2008, the Wind Orchestra’s development reflects that of the Bower School of Music and FGCU, having performed world premieres and commissioned works. In addition, the Wind Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2015 and 2025, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2018. Please contact Mr. Troy Jones to audition for this ensemble. Audition procedure and pieces are listed below the 2026/27 schedule.

Conductor: Mr. Troy Jones

2026/27 Schedule

Fall 2026
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Spring 2027
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Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is open to all University students regardless of degree. This ensemble frequently performs significant band literature of varied musical styles and genres. Since its establishment in 2009, the Symphonic Band has entertained audiences both on and off campus and has garnered a reputation as a collegiate ensemble of noteworthy distinction. Membership in the ensemble is by instructor approval and a chair placement audition. Please contact Mr. Troy Jones to audition for this ensemble. Audition procedure and pieces are listed below the 2026/27 schedule. Please direct all other questions to Mr. Christopher Hill.

Conductor: Mr. Christopher Hill

2026/27 Schedule

Fall 2026
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Spring 2027
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Audition Procedure
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Audition Music link for the Fall 2026 Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Bands: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TScStLcHXl_of2_vmpZ9JTFxlwDs5UOB?usp=sharing
- - - All music majors and minors play both etudes. (Percussionists: snare drum and xylophone)
      
      Non-music majors auditioning for Wind Orchestra play both etudes. (Percussionists: snare drum and xylophone)
      
      Non-music majors auditioning only for Symphonic Band play Etude 1. (Percussionists: snare drum and xylophone)
      
      Percussion auditions are held on campus.
      
      To schedule an audition, contact Prof. Troy Jones at tvjones@fgcu.edu .
Audition pieces
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Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble is an auditioned-based ensemble open to all students across the university. The Jazz Ensemble is one of the top collegiate ensembles in the Bower School of Music and has been featured at the Landings Music Festival, the Sanibel Jazz Festival, and is an EMMY nominated ensemble for best documentary on a collegiate program for higher education. The ensemble performs a variety of styles pertaining to the jazz idioms.

Brandon Robertson The FGCU Jazz Combo is a small chamber group composed of the top players in the Bower School of Music. In the past, this elite group has performed on several radio appearances and is highly recommended for various campus events and community events around the Southwest Florida region.

Conductor: Mr. Brandon Robertson

2026/27 Schedule

Fall 2026
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Spring 2027
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Friday, January 22, 2027 at 5:00 p.m., FGCU Jazz Combo, Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples

     Rhythm & Blooms is free for members of Naples Botanical Garden or with the price of admission. General Admission to the Garden for non-members: $27 adults, $12 for children ages 4-17 and free for children 3 and under.

Saturday, February 6, 2027 at 11:00 a.m., Jazz Ensemble, ArtFest Fort Myers, Downtown Fort Myers/River District

Thursday, February 25, 2027 at 7:30 p.m., Jazz Ensemble, U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus

Friday, February 26, 2027 at 5:00 p.m., FGCU Jazz Combo, Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples

     Rhythm & Blooms is free for members of Naples Botanical Garden or with the price of admission. General Admission to the Garden for non-members: $27 adults, $12 for children ages 4-17 and free for children 3 and under.

Friday, March 12, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.,

FGCU Jazz Combo, Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples

     Rhythm & Blooms is free for members of Naples Botanical Garden or with the price of admission. General Admission to the Garden for non-members: $27 adults, $12 for children ages 4-17 and free for children 3 and under.

Friday, April 2, 2027 from 6:00-9:00 p.m., FGCU Jazz Combo, Fort Myers Music Walk, Downtown Fort Myers/River District

Friday, April 16, 2027 at 5:00 p.m., FGCU Jazz Combo, Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples

     Rhythm & Blooms is free for members of Naples Botanical Garden or with the price of admission. General Admission to the Garden for non-members: $27 adults, $12 for children ages 4-17 and free for children 3 and under.

Tuesday, April 20, 2027 at 7:30 p.m., Jazz Ensemble, U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building, FGCU Campus

Jazz Ensemble Fall 2024 Audition Sign-up Form
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Jazz Band Auditions
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Jazz Combo Auditions
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The Jazz Combo auditions will take place on Monday, August 17, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall (MUS 112), immediately following the Jazz Ensemble auditions.

This year's audition piece is "Blues for Alice" by Charlie Parker. For your audition, you will be asked to:
1. Perform the melody from memory (you will play the head twice).
2. Improvise two choruses over the chord changes.
3. Perform the tune at 180 BPM.
The instrumentation for this year's Jazz Combo will be:
- 1 Trumpet
- 2 Saxophones
- 1 Trombone
- 1 Guitar
- 1 Piano
- 1 Bass
- 1 Drums
I've attached lead sheets for Bb, Eb, and C instruments (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZzFJ-ds1NKots5K7ToRW_NCuKzBClvBt?usp=sharing).

There are plenty of excellent recordings available online to help you learn the tune and become familiar with the style.

If you're interested in auditioning for Jazz Combo, please email brobertson@fgcu.edu.

Basketball Band

Baketball Band The Basketball Band is an auditioned ensemble open to all students across the university. The band performs for all of the FGCU men's and women's basketball home games and is an integral part of the excitement that is FGCU Basketball. The ensemble performs a variety of today's contemporary favorites and classic top 40s. The band also travels with the the teams during the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournaments and has made several appearances on national television.

Conductor: Mr. Randy Webb

Coordinator: Mr. Troy Jones