UCM Bands: Ensembles

UCM Band ensembles have a long history of excellence dating back to 1871. UCM students enjoy performance opportunities with the Wind Ensemble, Marching Mules, Symphonic Band, Jazz Bands, Basketball Pep Band, Marching Percussion, and Color Guard.
French Horns

The Wind Ensemble is UCM’s premiere concert band and is open to all UCM students by audition. The Wind Ensemble performs contemporary repertoire for wind ensemble and concert band as well as some of the most important core literature. Click here for information about auditions.

Significant performances include the 2014 Southwest Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association at the University of Arkansas; 2008, 2011, 2015, and 2020 performances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference; featured performances in New York's famed Carnegie Hall (2010 and 2016); and the UCM President's Concert at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

For more information, please contact Dr. Corey Seapy, Director of Bands, seapy@ucmo.edu.

Marching Band

Marching Mules

The UCM Marching Mules have a tradition of serving the institution as the musical ambassadors for the university community. Consisting of students from almost every department and major on campus, the Marching Mules provide excitement on and off the field during the football season. All members of the Marching Mules receive a service award for their participation, and additional scholarships may be available depending on the student's performance ability and availability to audition for other UCM Music ensembles.

For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Bonner, Director of Athletic Bands, mbonner@ucmo.edu.

Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band

The UCM Symphonic Band performs four concerts annually and is open to all UCM students who register for the course, regardless of major. The ensemble offers music education majors the opportunity to fulfill scholarship obligations in the spring semester and as a home for those in the Wind Ensemble to perform on a secondary instrument through audition.  In 2020, the UCM Symphonic Band became part of a commission for a new piece of music by composer Joni Greene and will perform this new work during the 2020-2021 academic year.

For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Bonner, Director of Athletic Bands, mbonner@ucmo.edu.

Jazz Bands

Jazz Bands

 The UCM Jazz Bands provide an opportunity for all UCM students to experience performing Jazz at a high level. The program has two big bands, both which serve the campus and regional community in entertaining programs consisting of classic big band charts and contemporary literature. Click here for more information about UCM’s Jazz & Commercial Music Program.

For more information, please contact Dr. David Aaberg, Director of Jazz-Commerical music, aaberg@ucmo.edu.

Basketball Pep Band

Pep Band

The UCM Basketball Pep Band performs at all men's and women's home basketball games and during postseason travel for the MIAA and NCAA tournaments. In 2018, the pep band traveled with the Jennies all the way to the National Championship game, bringing home the second title in school history.

To qualify for the Basketball Pep Band, students must be members of the UCM Marching Band for at least one semester. Current freshmen who are enrolled in Marching Band are eligible to participate.

For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Bonner, Director of Athletic Bands, mbonner@ucmo.edu.

Marching Percussion

Marching Percussion

The UCM Marching Percussion Section has performed at Drummit' at the Summit and Palen Music Festival. There are opportunities performance in the drumline and the front ensemble.

Click here for more information about UCM Percussion. Or, please contact Dr. Alex Smith, Marching Percussion Coordinator, jasmith@ucmo.edu.

Color Guard

Color Guard
For more information about the UCM Color Guard, please contact bands@ucmo.edu.