BYU bands and ensembles
Encyclopedia
BYU has a broad array of bands and ensembles. Most of these are part of the programs of the School of Music in the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications
, primarily either in the Department of Bands or the Jazz Studies Department.
in 1901. In 1901 Miller recruited as his assistant Robert Sauer, who he had known in Dresden, Germany before immigrants.
In 1906, after Miller died, Robert Sauer (1873-1944) a German convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, became the director of the BYU band. Sauer remained the band director until 1942. At the end of Sauer's time as band director BYU had one band that had 35 instruments.
John R. Halliday then became the band director in 1942. During his eight-year tenure BYU's band department expanded to 3 bands with 225 people playing instruments. Halliday would remain with BYU, with the exception of two years he did post-doctoral studies at the University of Southern California
until his retirement in 1976 (when he became president of the Italy Milan Mission) but would spend most of the next 25 years as a director of choirs.
In 1950 Norman Hunt became the director of BYU bands. In 1953 Ralph G. Laycock became the director of BYU bands.
Today the Marching Band is a 225-member band. It is also known as the "Power of the Wasatch".
tradition. The premier band in this group is Synthesis which was founded by K. Newell Dayley
and is currently directed by Ray Smith. Synthesis has performed at several Jazz festivals in many locations in the US as well as in some other countries. The Jazz Ensemble functions as the training group for Synthesis and is currently directed by Mark Ammons. Their performance schedule is less expansive than Synthesis', primarily performing in Provo and its immediate vicinity when performing beyond BYU Campus. There is also the Jazz Lab Band, which performs twice a year on campus.
Smaller groups in different styles include Q'd Up the Faculty Jazz quintet that as of 2011 consisted of Ray Smith, Steve Lindeman, Matt Larson, Jay Lawrence and Ron Brough. There is also the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band which has performed across the US, the Salsa Combo and then 5 other groups that perform in "casual" format. The salsa and other five combos are all directed by Jay Lawrence.
There are also three Jazz vocal groups. Jazz Voices, Vocal Point
and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
, Brassworks and the American Piano Quartet.
Other student ensembles include the Clarinet Choir, the Flute Choir, the Trombone Choir, The Brass Chamber Music group, the String Chamber Music Group and the Woodwind Chamber Music Group. There is also a collection of folk music ensembles, some of which work with the BYU International Folk Dancers.
BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications
BYU College of Fine Arts and CommunicationsThe College of Fine Arts and Communications is one of nine colleges at Brigham Young University, a private university operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and located in Provo, Utah...
, primarily either in the Department of Bands or the Jazz Studies Department.
History
The first band at what was then Brigham Young Academy was organized in about 1900 by Albert Miller (birth name Ernest Ludwig Adelbert Muller, lived 1875-1906) a German Mormon who was recruited to be on the music faculty at BYA by Anthony C. LundAnthony C. Lund
Anthony Canute Lund was the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1916 until 1935. Lund was also a professor of music at Brigham Young University....
in 1901. In 1901 Miller recruited as his assistant Robert Sauer, who he had known in Dresden, Germany before immigrants.
In 1906, after Miller died, Robert Sauer (1873-1944) a German convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, became the director of the BYU band. Sauer remained the band director until 1942. At the end of Sauer's time as band director BYU had one band that had 35 instruments.
John R. Halliday then became the band director in 1942. During his eight-year tenure BYU's band department expanded to 3 bands with 225 people playing instruments. Halliday would remain with BYU, with the exception of two years he did post-doctoral studies at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
until his retirement in 1976 (when he became president of the Italy Milan Mission) but would spend most of the next 25 years as a director of choirs.
In 1950 Norman Hunt became the director of BYU bands. In 1953 Ralph G. Laycock became the director of BYU bands.
Wind Symphony
The BYU Wind Symphony has 45-members. Over the years it has performed in many locations across the United States and at least six other countries.Other non-sports bands
BYU has the Symphonic Band that performs much less than the Wind Symphony. There is also the University Band which is a non-audition band.Cougar Marching Band
The BYU Cougar Marching Band was organized in 1950 with Richard A. Ballou as its first director. Robert Sauer had organized a marching band in 1908, but it was not a permannent distinct band until Ballou organized it as such in 1950.Today the Marching Band is a 225-member band. It is also known as the "Power of the Wasatch".
Jazz Ensembles
BYU has a large array of Jazz ensembles. Three of these perform music in the Big BandBig band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
tradition. The premier band in this group is Synthesis which was founded by K. Newell Dayley
K. Newell Dayley
K. Newell Dayley is a prominent Latter Day Saint composer, hymnwriter and musician. He was a professor of music at Brigham Young University and later served as the associate academic vice president for undergraduate studies at that institution...
and is currently directed by Ray Smith. Synthesis has performed at several Jazz festivals in many locations in the US as well as in some other countries. The Jazz Ensemble functions as the training group for Synthesis and is currently directed by Mark Ammons. Their performance schedule is less expansive than Synthesis', primarily performing in Provo and its immediate vicinity when performing beyond BYU Campus. There is also the Jazz Lab Band, which performs twice a year on campus.
Smaller groups in different styles include Q'd Up the Faculty Jazz quintet that as of 2011 consisted of Ray Smith, Steve Lindeman, Matt Larson, Jay Lawrence and Ron Brough. There is also the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band which has performed across the US, the Salsa Combo and then 5 other groups that perform in "casual" format. The salsa and other five combos are all directed by Jay Lawrence.
There are also three Jazz vocal groups. Jazz Voices, Vocal Point
Vocal Point
Vocal Point is a nine-member, male a cappella group at Brigham Young University. Founded by students in 1991, Vocal Point operates under the auspice of BYU’s School of Music....
and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Other Ensembles
BYU has three other faculty ensembles. Orpheus WindsOrpheus Winds
Orpheus Winds is the faculty woodwind quintet connected with Brigham Young University .Its members are currently the following:*April Clayton, who holds a D.M.A. from Juilliard School, was formerly Principal Flute of the with the New York Lyric Orchestra. She is also a graduate of the Cincinnati...
, Brassworks and the American Piano Quartet.
Other student ensembles include the Clarinet Choir, the Flute Choir, the Trombone Choir, The Brass Chamber Music group, the String Chamber Music Group and the Woodwind Chamber Music Group. There is also a collection of folk music ensembles, some of which work with the BYU International Folk Dancers.
Percussion
Besides performing in the many of the bans listed above BYU's percusion section also has a percussion ensamble.Sources
- Ernest L. WilkinsonErnest L. WilkinsonErnest Leroy Wilkinson was an American academic administrator and prominent figure in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was president of Brigham Young University from 1951 to 1971 and also oversaw the entire LDS Church Educational System. Prior to this, Wilkinson was a lawyer...
and Leonard J. ArringtonLeonard J. ArringtonLeonard James Arrington was an author, academic and the founder of the Mormon History Association. He is known as the "Dean of Mormon History" and "the Father of Mormon History" because of his many influential contributions to the field.-Biographical background:Arrington was born in Twin Falls,...
, ed., Brigham Young University: The First 100 Years (Provo, UtahProvo, UtahProvo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
: Brigham Young University PressBrigham Young University PressBrigham Young University Press is the university press of Brigham Young University .-History:Brigham Young University Press was formed in 1967 through the consolidation of BYU's various publishing activities into one central organization....
, 1975) p. 385-388. - "Special Program for Naming of Areas: Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center". Tuesday, November 23, 1965 at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602.
- T. Earl PardoeT. Earl PardoeThomas Earl Pardoe was the first head of the Brigham Young University drama program. One of the main theaters in the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU is named for him and his wife, Kathryn Bassett Pardoe, who was also an influential drama teacher at BYU.Pardoes was born and raised in Ogden, Utah...
. The Sons of Brigham. 1969. BYU Alumni Association, Provo, Utah, 84602 - BYU Bands information page
- BYU Jazz Ensembles information page