Join the Band

OWU Course Code = MUSP 002 (0.25 units). Enrollment open to all OWU students!

2025 SWE Fall Semester Welcome Message

Dear OWU Symphonic Wind Ensemble members,

The school year is just a couple weeks away and I'm looking forward to continuing our tradition of playing exciting band music. Ohio Wesleyan's SWE performs a diverse array of old and new concert band music ranging in difficulty from grade III - VI. We rehearse twice a week every Tuesday/Thursday and typically offer four performances throughout the school year.

This message is to help us hit the ground running with important getting started info. Syllabus and Blackboard details including course objectives, grading and attendance policies, part-assignment auditions and more will be addressed at our first rehearsal on Thursday, August 21. 

First Rehearsal: August 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM in Presser Rehearsal Hall (Sanborn Hall)

Bring your instrument! We will play together on the first day, but first, there will be some orientation activities to get us started and on track for a successful year.

Day 1 is open seating with band folders placed on stands before you arrive. Please sit anywhere in your section you like, but leave the folders on the stands at the end of rehearsal. If you need instrument storage or instrument rental, make sure you indicate this in the check-in form.

Check In Form - Please complete at your earliest convenience, preferably by Friday, August 15, 2025.

All band members complete THIS FORM to provide current contact information, instrument preference, instrument rental needs (if any), storage needs (if any), repertoire interests, plus any questions/comments you'd like to share. 

Instrument Rental
If you need to rent an instrument, complete the check-in form ASAP. OWU has a limited inventory of tubas, euphoniums, horns, bass clarinets, bari saxes, and bassoons for rental ($50/semester). All other brass and woodwind instruments are typically provided by students, but if you have other instrument needs, please indicate this in the form and I'll see if we can track down a viable option for you.

Instrument Storage
A limited number of Sanborn instrument lockers and storage rooms are available for music majors, performance minors, and students enrolled in MUSP courses. Please contact the Performing Arts Department Academic Assistant, Lisa Hill (lahill@owu.edu), to check availability for instrument storage that fits your instrument. 

2025-26 OWU Performing Arts Event Schedule
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has one concert this semester:

  • Thursday, October 23, 2025 "Fall Concert"

We are tentatively scheduled to perform three times in the spring semester:

  • Friday, February 13, 2025 "OWU Honor Band Festival Host Concert"

  • Thursday, April 16, 2026 "Spring concert"

  • Saturday, May 9, 2026 for OWU Commencement 

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Best wishes,

Rich Edwards
Conductor, OWU Symphonic Wind Ensemble