Symphony Band

Rehearsals Mondays & Wednesdays
11:00 AM -12:50 PM
Register for MUSE 113
Performance Schedule

Sunday, October 6
Thursday, October 10
Sunday, November 17
Thursday, December 1

You do NOT have to be a music major to play in band!

Composer Gregory Fritze

The Symphony Band offers an exciting fall array of concerts and activities. Homecoming Concert, Sunday, October 6 - 2:00 pm begins the season, and we invite any graduates who have played in the band to join us as we perform Holst Second Suite, mvt. 4. Contact Dr. Tjornehoj if interested. A rehearsal will be held at 1:00 pm that day for any interested alums.

Gregory Fritze will be the composer in residence for one week, culminating in a collaborative concert Thursday evening, Oct. 10, 7:30 pm for Symphony Band/University Band. Gregory writes some of the finest wind band pieces and his gentle spirit is a delight to inspire musicians and audiences. Gregory has written over one hundred compositions that have been performed by some of the world’s greatest musicians and ensembles. These works have received more than one thousand performances in twenty-six countries on five continents. Many of these pieces have also gone on to win national and international awards.

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7:30 pm will feature Chamber Music of Gregory Fritze. Coordinated by Gary Bird, this features fantastic musicians from across the country to showcase this terrific music. Free. Kleinpell Fine Arts Building. We are honored to host Gregory on the beautiful UWRF campus and have him work with our ensemble. https://gregoryfritze.com/

A Tribute to Spain*, Nov. 17, 3:00 pm, will feature music by Oscar Navarro, Javier Pérez Garrido, José R. Pascual Vilaplana, and more. This concert will feature Karrin Meffort-Nelson, clarinet, a free-lance musician, from the Minnesota Opera Orchestra.
The SCVSO and Symphony Band perform on this concert in Wm. Abbott Concert Hall.
The last 2024 Symphony Band/University Band* concert, with a reception and celebration at Juniors following, is slated for Thursday, December 12, 7:30 pm including Leroy Andersons' Sleigh Ride, and many more for your listening pleasure.

Where exciting things are happening!

Performances offer the best in wind band literature
Annual commissions and world premieres
Working with world class composers Oscar Navarro, Javier Perez Garrido, Johan de Meij, Nigel Clarke, Gregory Fritze, Stan Nieuwenhuis, Jacob Beranek, Joel Blahnik, etc.
Guest conductors and performers join the group on a regular basis
Opportunities to travel the world through the Three Rivers Concert Band collaboration (every other May - European tours)
Building relationships and experiences that enrich your life.

Symphony Band is comprised of the finest wind and percussion majors and minors at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, as well as non-music majors who are selected by audition each semester. Adult community members may audition, register, and join this ensemble as per the permission of the instructor. Director Kris Tjornehoj provides leadership and a quality experience for all students through the rehearsal and performance of a wide variety of the best wind band repertoire from all time periods. Guest artists frequently perform with the band and commissions and premiers take place on an annual basis.

Highlights

Jack Stamp, composer/guest conductor and Symphony Band director Dr. Kris Tjornehoj hosted the Barcelona Clarinet Players for a residency at UWRF in December 2023. Masterclasses, lessons, rehearsals, and performances of Stamps music and more made this a wonderful and memorable event.