The University of South Alabama Department of Music, through its innovative curriculum, empowers professional musicians, music educators, and those who wish to enrich their lives through the arts.  The Department serves the needs of the University to promote general education and to provide a vital cultural link to the Gulf Coast region. Its excellent facilities and faculty, promotion of technology, and dedication to life-long learning provide a wide spectrum of experiences for both the student and the community.

Department of Music News:

Spring 2010 Concert Ensembles Audition Materials Now Online
Audition etudes for the Spring Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band are now available.  Students who intend to audition for these ensembles must register for both Wind Ensemble (MUO 127/427) and Symphony Band (MUO 117/417) in advance.  The ensemble for which you are selected will remain on your schedule, while the other will be dropped.  The auditions are open to all full-time USA students, and will take place at the beginning of Spring Semester 2010.  A sign-up sheet for audition times will be available in the Music Office (1072 Laidlaw Performing Arts Center), or you may call 460-6136.  Audition times, once selected, are permanent and may not be changed.  Click on your instrument for a printable PDF of the audition materials.

• Piccolo/Flute
• Oboe
• Bassoon
  
• Clarinets (all)
• Saxophones (all)
• Trumpet
• Horn
• Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Percussion
  

2009-2010 Alabama All-State Audition Podcasts Now Available!

The USA Department of Music is pleased to offer free podcasts to help Alabama high school and middle school students prepare for the 2009-2010 Alabama All-State Band auditions. Please visit our 2010 All-State Audition Podcasts page for all the information you need to download this terrific educational resource!!

Music Department Announces Audition Dates

Music students interested in admission to all USA ensembles and degree programs are encouraged to sign up for audition times.

Need more information on how to sign up for an audition and need to know what to prepare?  Click here to go to our music admissions page.  See you at the audition!!

USA Wind Ensemble Debut Concert November 5!

The University of South Alabama Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Greg Gruner and associate conductor Professor Ward Miller, will perform their debut concert on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for this Musical Arts Series event will be sold at the door only.  Admission is $5 general and $3 for USA faculty, staff, students and all seniors.  Persons needing more information about this event or in need of special accommodation may call 251-460-7116 or 251-460-6136.

The wind ensemble concept was formulated at the Eastman School of Music in the 1950's with the design of one player assigned to each part for clarity and a pristine sonority. The University of South Alabama Wind Ensemble, the premiere instrumental ensemble of forty-five players, was formed this fall through a rigorous audition process affording the students the opportunity to perform a variety of challenging literature specifically written for this reduced instrumentation.

The program opens with a four-movement work written in 1961 by Vittorio Giannini entitled "Symphony No. 3." The Giannini "Symphony No. 3" is held in high regard by conductors and ensembles internationally as one of the best written for winds and percussion. Following this classic, the wind ensemble will perform a 2007 composition, "Give Us This Day," by David Maslanka. The first part of the program will conclude with "The Melody Shop," an energetic march by Karl L. King.

After a brief intermission, the USA Wind Ensemble will open with the brilliant "Kirkpatrick Fanfare," conducted by associate conductor Ward Miller. The concert will continue with the beautiful "Sunrise at Angel's Gate," by Philip Sparke and the evening will conclude with Norman Dello Joio's "Variants on a Mediaeval Tune," which is based on In dulci jubilo.

Come join us for this exciting debut of the new USA Wind Ensemble!