Ensembles
Varsity (Pep) Band
In addition to performing at home football games during the fall quarter, the UCLA Marching Band continues through the winter and spring quarters as the Varsity Band; membership is automatically open to all fall marching band members. The Varsity Band plays at all UCLA Men’s and Women’s Basketball home games at Pauley Pavilion, as well as select Olympic sports (e.g., soccer, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics) throughout the year. Groups of Varsity Band members will travel with the basketball teams to their Big Ten Conference Tournament and any NCAA Tournament (March Madness) games. For more information about the Varsity Band, please email us! Students may register for MUSC 185H.
Symphonic Band
Many students in the marching band also play in the university Symphonic Band, which meets on Tuesday afternoons from 3:05pm–4:35pm in the fall and 3:05pm–4:50pm in the winter and spring. Each quarter culminates in a concert during Week 10, typically in Schoenberg Hall at the Schoenberg Music Building. There is no formal audition, and membership is open to all UCLA undergraduate and graduate students. The Symphonic Band is directed by Dr. McManus and often features teaching assistants from the graduate wind band conducting program. Students may register for MUSC 185F. For more information, please email Dr. McManus.
UCLA Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band at UCLA conducted by Dr. Travis Cross, Professor of Music and Director of Bands. Membership is by audition only and is comprised primarily of music majors, but select performance opportunities may be available based on instrumentation, the needs of the ensemble, and individual audition results.
Other Performing Ensembles
The Herb Apert School of Music at UCLA proudly offers a wide array of performing opportunities, from traditional ensembles to student-run organizations. There is even a video game music ensemble!
For more information, please click on the below links or email uclaalpert@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu.
Ensembles – The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
UCLA Orchestras
Student Music Organizations (non-School of Music)
