Letter to Students Interested in the Jazz Bands, Mustang Band, Wind Orchestra and/or Wind Ensemble

Spring/Summer 2009

Dear New Cal Poly Student:

Congratulations on your acceptance to Cal Poly. We are pleased that you have chosen to continue your musical activities during your college career and you can be assured that the band program at Cal Poly will be a meaningful experience that will enhance your overall education and provide a great deal of fun and excitement.

Our band program consists of the following:

(Academic credit is provided – See Class Schedule) Rehearsals are in Room 216 of the Davidson Music Building (#45)

The Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band
- (Tuesday and Thursday – 3:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
University Jazz Band I
- (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – 11:10 a.m. to Noon)
University Jazz Band II
- (Monday and Wednesday – 3:10 to 4:30 p.m.)
The Cal Poly Wind Orchestra
- (Monday and Wednesday – 7:10 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
The Cal Poly Wind Ensemble
- (Monday and Wednesday – 8:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Chamber Winds (Does not give public performances)
- (Monday and Wednesday – 5:10 to 6:30 p.m.)

Our top Jazz Band went on a highly successful concert tour of Brazil, and also performed on tour in China several years ago. Our Wind Ensemble performed in Carnegie Hall in 2003 and toured both Eastern and Western Europe in 2006 with performances in Budapest, Vienna, Schladming, Salzburg, Munich and Prague. We were recently selected to be the "Showcase Ensemble" at the Los Angeles International Music Festival to be held in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in June, 2010.

Please be aware that only 10-20% of the members of the Cal Poly Bands are music majors. Because of this, our performing ensembles are carefully designed to be compatible with the heavy academic demands of students like yourself who are from other areas of the university. With our very limited rehearsal schedules, you will have ample time to participate.

Membership in the Cal Poly Band program will give you:

an "escape" from the books,
an opportunity for meaningful musical expression
challenges that college students seek: leadership, creativity, team work, personal growth and the opportunity to experience the rewards and sense of pride that go along with outstanding achievement.
new friends, many for life

Marching Band Camp Schedule

Monday, September 14
- 3-5 p.m. "Pre-Band Camp" FOR NEW STUDENTS.
- Instrument Check-out, Introductions, read new music, Parents welcome. Building #45, Room 216 Refreshments provided.
Friday, September 18
- 9:00 a.m. Band Camp begins - morning, afternoon and evening
- New and returning members.
- WOW participants will leave camp for one hour and thirty minutes to attend special session.
Saturday, September 19
- 9:00 a.m. Band Camp continues - morning, afternoon and evening
- New and returning members. WOW participants will leave camp for one hour and thirty minutes to attend special session.
Sunday, September 20 Band Camp continues - morning and afternoon
- 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Interview / Audition

Please sign-up for your interview on the bulletin board just outside room 214-A in the Music Building during the Week of Welcome (WOW) or the first week of class. Bring your instrument, if you have one, and be prepared to play something fast and something slow. Some new non-music majors are worried about the interview and decide not to participate. This is a big mistake! The faculty makes every effort to accommodate anyone who would like to participate. If you were a member of your high school band, you are already an experienced musician and are ready to participate in a college band. We do have a place for you in the university bands! If you do not have an instrument, we will provide one for you. We also have lockers and practice rooms.

For information on the jazz band audition/interview, go to the Jazz Bands Web page and select the “Auditions” link.

After you have met with one or more of the directors in a 10-minute interview/audition during the first week, it will be determined which ensemble(s) you will participate in during the fall quarter. Please note that Chamber Winds (Monday and Wednesday from 5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) will be for students who wish to have more personalized instruction in both technique and musical expression, much like what one would receive in private lessons. This group will not perform during the fall quarter.

Bandfest

The fall quarter performance of the Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Mustang Marching Band will be at the annual Bandfest to be held in Harman Hall of the Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening, November 21, at 8 p.m.

Fall Jazz Concert

The Fall Jazz Concert for both Jazz Bands I & II will be on Friday evening, December 4, in the Spanos Theatre at 8 p.m.

Please inform your parents of these performance dates.

Organizational First Meetings

Jazz Bands
- On Tuesday, September 22, there will be two one-hour organizational meetings (no instruments) of all who are interested in being in a jazz band. You can attend at 11:10 a.m. or at 3:10 p.m. The meetings will be in Building #45, Room 216 of the Music Building.
Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble
- On Wednesday, September 23, there will be an organizational meeting from 7:10 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This meeting will be held in room 216 of the Music Building (#45).
It is very important that you attend one or more of these meetings. If you are undecided about your participation, please come and learn more about our program.

Have a great summer. We look forward to meeting you on or before September 22. If there is any way that we can help you, please feel free to contact us. Please keep practicing on a regular basis.

Sincerely,

William V. Johnson, Director, Mustang Band, Wind Orchestras, Wind Ensemble
Office: Music Building, Room 214-A
(805) 756-2556
E-mail Johnson

Christopher J. Woodruff, Associate Director, Mustang Band, Wind Orchestras, Wind Ensemble
Office: Music Building, Room 214-A
(805) 756-2556
E-mail Woodruff

Paul Rinzler, Director, University Jazz Bands
Office: Music Building, Room 122
(805) 756-5792
E-mail Rinzler

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