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BANDS

With performance experiences for music majors, non-music majors, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community, our concert and athletic bands are at the intersection of our curricular and community engagement efforts.

Concert Bands

UMD Wind Orchestra (UMWO)

Led by Michael Votta, Jr., UMWO is a leading voice among collegiate ensembles in premiering new works for winds. Often featuring faculty soloists and world-premieres of new works and masterworks of the 20th and 21st centuries, UMWO has performed in side-by-side collaborations with major professional ensembles and has performed by invitation at international, national and regional conferences. UMWO rehearses on the same schedule as the UMD Symphony Orchestra, enabling the exchange of players between the two groups as dictated by repertoire demands.

UMD Wind Ensemble (UMWE)

Under the direction of Associate Director of Bands Andrea Brown, UMWE performs works from the most respected repertoire written for wind band with a focus on highlighting women composers and composers of color. UMWE comprises both music and non-music majors with previous band experience.

University Band

This all-campus band serves as a musical outlet primarily for non-music majors at the University of Maryland who are interested in performing in a wind band. Ranging in size from the mid-60s in the fall semester to over 100 members in the spring, students in the University Band rehearse once a week and receive academic credit for their participation in the band. The University Band performs traditional and contemporary works from the band repertoire, as well as transcriptions from other media.

Maryland Community Band

The Maryland Community Band is open to all qualified adult wind and percussion players and draws its membership from campus faculty and staff, alumni, school music teachers and adults from the surrounding communities. This band provides an opportunity for musicians from different musical backgrounds and various skill levels to further develop their individual technique by performing in an ensemble that is both enjoyable and challenging. The 80-member ensemble includes musicians of all ages, from those in their early 20s to others in their early 80s. The Maryland Community Band performs music ranging from classical symphonic repertory to military marches and Broadway and film scores.

Jazz Bands

UMD also offers several jazz bands.

Athletic Bands

Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band

Under the direction of Andrea Brown, the Mighty Sound of Maryland provides a college experience like no other. Its members perform at every home football game and travel to at least one away game per year to create a loud and dedicated Terrapin cheering section! Members of the Mighty Sound of Maryland play every time the band performs, and all majors are welcomed — both music and non-music majors. Our 250+ members often represent every academic college and department at UMD. Marching band provides the opportunity to stay involved in music and to perform in front of 50,000 people, plus the close ties shared by band members can make a large campus feel much smaller. You will always see a familiar face around campus. Be a part of the tradition!

Learn about the Mighty Sound of Maryland!

UMD Basketball Pep Band

Open to members of the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band, the UMD Basketball Pep Band performs at all men's and women's basketball games. You'll never have to worry about getting a seat because your instrument is your ticket! The Pep Band completes the "Student Wall" in the Xfinity Center, helping cheer the Terps to victory. Members of Pep Band also travel to post-season tournaments and prior destinations have included Anaheim, San Francisco, Orlando, Tallahassee, Knoxville, Denver, New Orleans, Phoenix, Minneapolis and Charlotte.

Find out more about the Basketball Pep Band!

UMD Wind Orchestra Director

Michael Votta

Professor, Conducting & Ensembles
Director, Bands
Director, UMD Wind Orchestra

2531A The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5544

UMD Wind Ensemble & Mighty Sound of Maryland Director

Andrea Brown

Associate Professor, Conducting & Ensembles
Associate Director, Bands
Director, Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band
Director, UMD Wind Ensemble
Division Coordinator, Conducting & Ensembles

2531B The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5542

University Band Director

Craig Potter

Senior Lecturer, Conducting & Ensembles
Assistant Director of Bands, Bands
Director, University Band
Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band

2531 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5542

Bands Staff

Tina Hoitt

Athletic Bands Coordinator, Bands

2531 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5542

Jeremy Maytum

Lecturer, Percussion
Athletic Bands Communications & Inventory Coordinator, School of Music
Coordinator of Marching Percussion, Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band
Coordinator, Asian Music Ensembles

2531 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-0844

Mark Wakefield

Instrumental Ensembles Manager, School of Music

2123 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5572

UMD Bands In Action

UMD Bands