Ensembles
UWF Performance Ensembles
UWF Singers
The University of West Florida Singers was founded in 1967 at the newly established University of West Florida. With frequent collaborative performances with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the Pensacola Choral Society, and the Pensacola Children's Chorus, the UWF Singers have continued to be an example of choral excellence in the Northwest Florida region. The UWF Singers is the flagship choral ensemble at the University of West Florida. Two additional choirs make up the trifecta of choirs at UWF -- the select UWF Chamber Choir and the non-auditioned soprano/alto UWF Concert Choir.All three groups are under the direction of Dr. Peter Steenblik.
Contact Dr. Steenblik, director of choral activities, at psteenblik@uwf.edu or 850.474.2183.
UWF Symphonic Band
The University of West Florida Symphonic Band, a fifty-piece ensemble, is committed to performing the finest wind band and chamber wind ensemble repertoire—both traditional and contemporary. The Symphonic Band is composed of talented musicians from all majors on campus and is dedicated to providing an opportunity for musical growth. The band performs four concerts per year on campus in the Mainstage Theater of the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts with occasional concerts in other venues.
Contact the School of Music Office at music@uwf.edu or 850.474.2147.
The UWF Symphonic Band is open to all dedicated UWF students with instrumental backgrounds regardless of major!
Symphonic Band meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM in the CFPA: Bldg. 82/Rm. 140
Credit Options
There is a 0 credit option: 81220 - MUN3133 UWF Symphonic Band
...and a 1 credit option: 80352 - MUN3133 UWF Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band Audition Schedule
- Option 1: Sunday, August 20, 2-6 pm in the Rehearsal Hall/Music Hall
- Option 2: Monday, August 21, 3-7 pm in the Rehearsal Hall/Music Hall
- Option 3: Tuesday, August 22, 12:30-2:30 pm in the Rehearsal Hall
1) 2 scales of your choice AND chromatic scale showing your range
- both scales must include 3 or more sharps or flats
- Major or Minor (up to you!)
- two octaves (at least)
2) Lyrical Solo/Etude
- choose an excerpt of a solo or etude that you're working on in the lyrical style
- less than 2 minutes
3) Technical Solo/Etude
- choose an excerpt of a solo or etude that you're working on that shows your technique
- less than two minutes
4) Sight reading
- I will choose an excerpt for you to sight read at the audition
Q: What music should I prepare?
A: Prepare excerpts from solos/etudes that you've already worked on - or something that you're currently learning. Choose the prepared music and scales that will show you at your best! One excerpt should be faster/technical and one excerpt should be slower/lyrical.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Treat this as an opportunity to work through performance nerves (we all get them!). Business casual would be appropriate for the audition; make sure it's comfortable!
Q: What should I bring with me to my audition?
A: Bring your instrument, water (if you want), and an extra copy of your prepared music so that I can follow along
- Q: When will results be posted? When will I get my music?
- A: Wednesday, 8/26 by 2pm
- Q: When is the first Symphonic Band rehearsal and will we play?
- A: Thursday, 8/27
If you have any other questions, or none of the available options fit your schedule, please email music@uwf.edu
UWF Runge Strings
The Runge Strings Orchestra was created in 2001. The Orchestra consists of graduate and undergraduate music majors and minors. The music director of the orchestra is the director of the UWF String Program is Dr. Leonid Yanovskiy. The orchestra bears the name of the passionate and generous string music supporter, the late Mr. Paul Runge.
The orchestra’s repertoire includes the music from the Baroque and Classical eras to the compositions of the 21st century. The ensemble has accompanied student soloists, UWF faculty members and distinguished guest soloists. as well as performed with various choral and instrumental ensembles: the UWF Singers, the PJC Choral, and the Goliard Chamber Ensemble of New York.
Contact Dr. Leonid Yanovskiy, director of strings, at lyanovskiy@uwf.edu or
UWF Jazz Band and Combo
The UWF Jazz Program, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Spaniola, offers the student the opportunity to play jazz music and develop their skills in a variety of ensemble settings, from the traditional Jazz Big Band to medium sized ensembles ranging from septets to quartets to the classic jazz trio. Students are exposed to all facets of the art, from sectional playing to soloing, from sight-reading to improvisation. The repertoire focuses on the entire one hundred year history of the genre, enabling the student to become familiar with and authentically perform all of the broad range of styles in this music that we call jazz. Membership in these performance groups is also available to Music Minors and Non-Majors with the permission of the director (audition required).
Contact Dr. Joseph Spaniola, director, at jspaniola@uwf.edu or
UWF Argo Athletic Band
The UWF Argo Athletic Band is THE performing music ensemble at all home football and basketball games. As a UWF tradition, the Argo Athletic Band strives to instill pride in the University of West Florida students, faculty, alumni and fans by providing the highest quality of musical performance while creating an exciting atmosphere at university, athletics and community events
Learn more about band camp and audition requirements.
UWF Percussion Ensemble
The UWF Percussion Ensemble provides quality percussion music to UWF and the Pensacola area. The ensemble is a vital part of the study of percussion by performing a wide range of standard and new works for chamber percussion ensembles. The UWF Percussion Ensemble performs one concert each semester and has featured notable guest artists such as Blake Tyson, Peter Ferry, Elliot Cole, Benjamin Fraley, and many more. In 2017, the UWF Percussion Ensemble competed at the Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition at PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention).
The UWF Percussion Ensemble is open to music and non-music majors with a background in percussion.
Email Professor Laura Noah at Lnoah@uwf.edu if you’d like to join!
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday and Wednesday: 1 PM - 2:15 PM in the Rehearsal Hall of the CFPA (Building 82).
Course: Percussion Ensemble: MUN3443, (1 or 0 credit hour).
UWF Concert Choir
The UWF Concert Choir non-auditioned soprano/alto choir that specializes in music written for the advanced women's ensemble. Particular attention is given to composers and poets who write specifically for this voicing. Open registration available through the UWF Catalog.
Contact Dr. Steenblik, director of choral activities, at psteenblik@uwf.edu or
