Join the KU Bands!

Annual KU Band Events

The KU Midwestern Music Camp is offered every summer and early each spring KU Bands hosts the Prairie Winds Festival.

Midwestern Music Camp

Prairie Winds Festival

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Play in the KU Bands

There is a place for EVERYONE who wants to make music at The University of Kansas.

From our non-auditioned University Band, to our outstanding Symphonic Band and world-class KU Wind Ensemble, our concert bands perform the widest possible range of concert wind band literature, including chamber music, masterworks, and contemporary works.

Our nationally recognized conductors continually provide new challenges for all levels of performers.

The band program is also home to the award-winning Marching Jayhawks and various pep bands, including those for the men's and women's basketball teams, and the women's volleyball team. We want you to find a home in the University of Kansas Bands!

How to join

Concert Band Auditions

Opportunities for High School Students

Each year the KU Bands offer clinics, masterclasses, and performance opportunities to musicians of every level.

The Prairie Winds Festival is held the first weekend of February and offers high school students the opportunity to work with the KU instrumental and band faculty in a combination of masterclasses, chamber ensembles, and a full band experience. Students also have the opportunity to audition for the KU School of Music during the weekend.

The KU Jazz Festival is held in early March and offers middle and high school jazz bands and combos the opportunity to perform for guest adjudicators and participate in masterclasses with guest artists.

The nationally-renowned Midwestern Music Camp begins enrolling each March and offers a comprehensive musical experience, carefully planned and supervised by KU faculty to ensure that students at all levels of experience receive the quality instruction and attention that they need to improve their skills and enjoy making music.

Degrees in Graduate Wind Conducting

The University of Kansas offers highly competitive MM and DMA programs in Wind Conducting, giving students the opportunity to conduct a broad range of ensembles in preparation for a professional conducting career.

Conduct at KU!

KU Bands

Described by the New York Times as “one of America’s most esteemed concert bands,” the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band at the University of Kansas and is conducted by Paul W. Popiel, director of bands.

KU Wind Ensemble

The Symphonic Band is an outstanding ensemble consisting of highly talented music majors, and non-majors selected by audition. Dr. Matthew O. Smith conducts the Symphonic Band.

KU Symphonic Band

The University Band is an outstanding ensemble available to all students at the University of Kansas and is an open admission ensemble requiring no entrance audition. The University Band provides musical challenge and growth as well as fellowship to all who enjoy performing.

KU University Band

For over 100 years, the Marching Jayhawks have provided entertaining shows for students, fans, and alumni of our great university. Over 400 students participate in the various band ensembles offered at KU, and the Marching Jayhawks and pep bands represent students from nearly every major on campus - we invite you to become part of our family!

KU Marching & Pep Bands

The KU Jazz Studies Program has both performance and academic components, including three big bands, seven combos, and classes in arranging, improvisation, jazz history, jazz theory and jazz pedagogy.

Jazz Ensembles