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The University of New Mexico Bands
Department of Music
MSC04 2570
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505- 277-8998
bands@unm.edu

Fall 2021 Ensemble Auditions Click HERE

The University of New Mexico Bands program offers an oustanding discipline in performance, conducting, composition, and music education.

The nationally acclaimed Wind Symphony is conducted by Director of Bands, Eric Rombach-Kendall. Comprised of fifty of the finest student musicians in the Department of Music, the Wind Symphony has performed around the country, at national and regional conventions of the College Band Directors National Association.

The Wind Symphony has released five recordings on Summit Records, featuring the Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, Philip Smith, and the Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic, Joseph Alessi, as well as members of the University of New Mexico woodwind and brass faculty. The Wind Symphony performs approximately six concerts on campus each year and several Chamber Winds and Brass Choir concerts.

UNM's Symphonic Band provides a place for the serious player to explore classic and contemporary repertoire for the wind band. conducted by Associate Director of Bands, Chad Simons, this group is open to talented musicians regardless of academic major, and performs four to five concerts per year on campus. The Symphonic Band regularly shares programs with the Wind Symphony and other musical ensembles in the Department of Music.

In addition to the concert ensembles, the University of New Mexico is home to two of the Southwest's most dynamic pep bands: the Spirit Marching Band and Soundpack.

The Spirit Marching Band is UNM's most visible ensemble, regularly performing for spectators at home football games and representing the university at games across the country. The band has traveled throughout the West, including trips to Colorado, Texas, Nevada, California, and Hawaii. Each year, the Spirit Marching Band hosts the Zia Marching Band Fiesta, one of the largest marching competitions in the Southwest.

The best basketball pep band in the Mountain West Conference, Soundpack performs at all home Men's and Women's Lobo Basketball games. Soundpack also follows the basketball teams to post-season tournament play and has appeared at the NCAA Basketball Tournament across the country.