Music
CWU Bands
Concert Band Options
Consisting of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Wildcat Marching Band, and Pep Band, the Central Washington University Band program has a long history of musical excellence and is recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as one of the region’s finest band programs. 
Wind Ensemble
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is the second concert band, serving as both a high-quality performing ensemble and an essential training ground for developing musicianship at the collegiate level. Through a focus on skill-building, collaboration, and musical excellence, the ensemble provides an environment where students can grow artistically while preparing advanced performance opportunities. Repertoire includes a balance of standard wind band literature and contemporary works for winds and percussion, allowing members to explore a variety of musical styles and traditions. Membership is open to all CWU students, regardless of academic concentration, through auditions held at the beginning of the academic quarter.
Concert Band
The Concert Band is the third concert band within CWU’s comprehensive band program, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for students to strengthen their musical skills while contributing to high-quality performances. Serving as a developmental ensemble, the Concert Band focuses on cultivating core musicianship, ensemble awareness, and performance confidence, preparing members for continued growth throughout their musical journey. Non-music majors are especially encouraged to participate and will find a welcoming opportunity to continue making music while pursuing any academic discipline. Participation is open to all CWU students, regardless of major, through auditions held at the beginning of each academic quarter. Non-music majors are not required to audition; however, they will participate in a brief informal musical assessment to assist with part assignments.
Athletic Bands
Wildcat Marching Band
CWU Pep Band
The Central Washington University Pep Band is an auditioned group of up 32 members that support the men and women’s basketball teams and other special university events. Consisting of marching brass, woodwinds, drum set, guitar/electric bass, the group serves as a musical spirit leader and ambassador for the department of music and CWU athletic community. Membership is open to all students, regardless of academic major, by audition. Auditions take place in November of each academic year. Members selected for the ensemble receive a performance stipend for participation.
Pep Band Auditions
Pep band will be beginning the audition process very soon! For more information, and to submit your audition, visit the Pep Band page.
Master of Music - Wind Band Conducting
The goal of the graduate wind band conducting program (MM) at Central Washington University places strong emphasis on the training of the 21st century artist/conductor who is flexible and capable of succeeding in an evolving field of music education. The program offers candidates a diverse, collaborative, comprehensive, and inclusive approach to the art of conducting and teaching.
Over the course of a two-year residency, program candidates are involved in rigorous academic coursework, attend weekly private lessons with the director of bands, engage in monthly seminars on special topics in conducting and education, serve as a guest conductor for all of the band program’s concert bands, and assist with the organization and operation of the athletic bands. Graduate students in conducting are eligible to receive graduate teaching assistantships.
Interested applicants for the wind band conducting program should hold a bachelor’s degree in music. Although not a requirement, it is preferred that the applicants have at least two years of public-school teaching experience. The conducting studio is designed to be small and selective to maximize student growth. Interested applicants are encouraged to send initial contacts to Dr. Nicole Lamartine as well as consulting our Graduate Admissions for Music page for further information.
Wind Conducting Requirements
The wind band conducting program at Central Washington University requires a pre-screening process before a formal invitation to audition is offered. Interested applicants should make initial contact with Dr. Nicole Lamartine, graduate coordinator by December 1 the fall before expected academic study to indicate their intent to audition.
For pre-screening, candidates are required to submit a conducting video. The recording should be no longer than 25 minutes in length and include both rehearsal and performance footage if possible. The video should capture the conductor facing the camera and be in full frontal or partial profile view. Video footage should be uploaded to YouTube (set to unlisted) and the link sent directly to the director of bands for review. It is recommended that this step be completed by February 1.
After materials are reviewed, the most qualified candidates will be invited to Ellensburg, WA for a formal audition and interview (during the winter quarter) if possible. At this time, candidates should also review the Graduate Admissions for Music page for details on graduate school admissions. It is expected that by the time of the formal audition outlined below that candidates have applied for both admission and graduate assistantships.
Formal Audition | In Person
The live audition/interview will consist of the following:
- An interview with Dr. Nicole Lamartine discussing the applicant’s personal and professional goals, teaching philosophy, and musical experience.
- A diagnostic examination in aural skills, score identification, transposition, musical terminology, wind band repertoire, and conducting technique.
- A twenty-minute audition with the Central Washington University Wind Ensemble. Candidates will be notified in advanced of the repertoire for this portion of the audition process.
Qoestions and Contact
For more information contact Dr. Nicole Lamartine, Graduate Coordinator
(509) 963-1616 (office)
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