Bands
Central Michigan University’s band program offers a dynamic range of ensembles where students can challenge themselves, build musicianship, and perform at the highest levels. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Wind Symphony, and the Chamber Winds provide advanced artistic experiences, while the Symphony Band and University Band welcome musicians from across campus who want to keep music in their lives. The spirited Chippewa Marching Band brings energy and tradition to every game day, creating unforgettable memories for its members. Together, these ensembles give students from any major the chance to grow, perform, and be part of a vibrant CMU music community.
CMU ensembles are open to all university students by audition.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The CMU Symphonic Wind Ensemble has firmly established itself as one of America’s leading wind bands. Adhering to the original wind ensemble concept utilizing single players per part and flexible instrumentation, the ensemble is composed of the most accomplished musicians in the CMU School of Music.
Conducted by new Director of Bands, Dr. Christopher Chapman, the ensemble has performed at the Midwestern Conference, MENC conferences both regional and national, division and national CBDNA conferences including Madison, WI in 2022, and Ann Arbor in 2026, and in historic Carnegie Hall. Noted wind composers with whom the ensemble has collaborated include Michael Colgrass, Joseph Schwantner, David Biedendender, Augusta Read Thomas, David Gillingham and David Maslanka. The ensemble has won praise from leading conductors and composers for its highly sensitive and deep musical renditions of sophisticated wind literature.
Chamber Winds
Chamber Winds is a part of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony ensemble experience. Music from the Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras are represented in small ensemble music, featuring wind octets and dectets with varied instrumentation.
This ensemble has performed at the Midwestern Conference, Michigan Music Conference, CBDNA Conference and presented a special performance of the Mozart "Gran Partita" at The Midwest Clinic.
Wind Symphony
Conducted by Dr. James Batcheller, the Wind Symphony is comprised entirely of CMU music majors. This large ensemble presents concerts on campus each semester of wind band literature that represents an overview of masterworks. The Wind Symphony has performed at the CBDNA division conference with distinction.
Symphony Band
The Symphony Band is comprised almost totally of CMU music majors. Conducted by Dr. Chris Chapman, the band presents concerts on campus each semester performing large concert band repertoire that spans the entire history of the genre.
University Band
The University Band is open to all CMU students regardless of their major and is a great way to stay involved in music while at CMU. The band presents on-campus concerts each semester performing concert band literature of considerable interest. While non-music majors comprise the majority of the membership, music majors also perform on instruments other than their major ones.
Marching Band
The Chippewa Marching Band has maintained a tradition of excellence and innovation, summarized in our motto, Concordia ad astra (“Together to the stars”). One of the most recognizable public faces of the university, the band is an invaluable collection of musical ambassadors for CMU. On the field each year are students from every college of the university representing over 100 academic programs.
For complete info on our Marching Band, visit The Chippewa Marching Band website.
