The Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band at the University of Kansas and is conducted by Dr. Paul W. Popiel, Director of Bands. Its membership is selected by audition from among the finest wind and percussion players at the university. The Wind Ensemble performs diverse repertoire of the highest caliber from chamber works to large ensemble pieces. The Wind Ensemble has a strong commitment to new music as well as to the finest standard band repertoire. This ensemble has a long tradition of excellence and performs regularly at national conventions, commissions new works, and hosts outstanding composers, conductors, and soloists. The Wind Ensemble meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00-2:30 in the Fall and from 3:30-5:20 in the Spring.

How to Join

Membership in the KU Wind Ensemble is by blind audition and is open to all qualified students at the University. Auditions take place the first week of classes of each semester and are heard by the conductors and the appropriate applied music Professor.

Auditions consist of prepared excerpts and sight-reading. The prepared excerpts are available in the KU band office or may be downloaded here.