Ensembles
The Department of Bands is represented by the following ensembles that perform a wide variety of musical selections for large audiences at various events.
Pep Band
The university's Pep Band performs for the men’s and women’s basketball teams for home games and for tournament play. The unit is open to all students of the university and is a high-energy group who help to create the “Aggie Spirit” through performing exciting and rousing music. The group also participates in cheers with the crowd and the cheerleaders to help encourage Aggie victories on the court. The ensemble is comprised of approximately 50 instrumentalists. The pep band is not offered as a class so the students of the ensemble all volunteer to participate.
Small Ensembles
The Department of Bands has added several small ensemble groups to further enhance the development of each musician and provide additional performance opportunities during the spring semester. These ensembles consist of:
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- Flute Choir
- Clarinet Choir
- Saxophone Choir
- Trumpet Choir
- Brass Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
Each ensemble is an independent performance group, ranging from 8 to 25 musicians each. Musicianship and technique development is the emphasis for the small ensemble. Because the groups are so small, the individual musician has to be accountable for his/her part in order for the music to be performed, strengthening each person’s musical abilities and developing more independent musicians and enhancing each member's performance levels.
Stage Band
The university's Stage Band, better known as the Aggie Rhythm and Blues Review, performs during the Spring semester. This group performs a wide variety of selections from big band classics, Latin afro Cuban jazz, bebop, fusion, pop music, rhythm and blues, and contemporary jazz. They are under the direction of Dr. Kenneth G. Ruff and Thomas G. Warner, Jr.
Symphonic Band
The university's Symphonic Band currently meets on Tuesday, Thursday, and every third and fourth Friday. The 65-75 piece ensemble is made up of many non-music majors who wish to continue to grow and develop on their instruments while enjoying performing standard concert band literature. In addition to a spring concert, the ensemble performs at many events within the community and public school engagements. This ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Lamon Lawhorn.
Wind Ensemble
The university's Wind Ensemble is open to all N.C. A&T students by audition only. The band consists of approximately 65-75 musicians. Meeting on Monday, Wednesday, and every first and third Friday, the ensemble provides challenging band literature for the skilled performer. The ensemble performs high level music literature geared to entertain and appeal to diverse audiences. The class is designed to assist each musician with detailed musical and technical development, while emphasizing performance techniques to enhance the overall development of the band student and band program. The wind ensemble is under the direction of Mr. Thomas G. Warner, Jr.
Contact Us
N.C. A&T State University
Blue & Gold Marching Machine
1120 East Bessemer Ave/The Band Center
Greensboro, NC 27411
Phone: 336-334-7776
Fax: 336-334-7311
