Symphonic Band

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The Western University Symphonic Band has a long-standing history of musical achievement. It was the first large instrumental ensemble at the university over 50 years ago. The ensemble’s goals are to explore quality music written for the wind band, and to perform it with mastery. Typical repertoire consists of music written in a variety of styles, including transcriptions, the core standard band repertoire, and some of the best new pieces for the genre.

Comprised of approximately 60 musicians or more, the Symphonic Band is open to music majors and non-music majors by audition. Auditions take place immediately before classes begin in the fall. The Symphonic Band performs four concerts per year on the university campus in the Paul Davenport Theatre.

Music Director: Shawn Chabot
Audition required. Open to all Western University students. Audition information
Rehearsals: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30-5:30 p.m. Rehearsal information
Repertoire: Download cumulative repertoire (PDF)
Winds, Brass & Percussion Division

2026-27 Performances

Please read the Audience Information page before joining us on campus.
Concert programs are available for download up to a week in advance.
Durations are estimated.

Saturday, October 31, 2026 3:00pm Paul Davenport Theatre (2.5 hours)

Community and Artistry

Planned repertoire for Symphonic Band: "Overture in Bb" by Caesar Giovannini, "A Jasmine Tree" by Kevin Charoensri, Vincent Persichetti's masterwork "Divertimento for Band", "Footsteps" by Dana Wilson, and film composer Ola Gjeilo's "Meridian". This is a shared concert with Wind Ensemble.

Saturday, December 5, 2026 3:00pm Paul Davenport Theatre (1.5 hours)

Fire and Frost

Our second concert of the season features "Symphonic Suite" by Clifton Williams, a beautiful transcription of Tomasco Albinoni's "Adagio" by Jacob de Haan, "Groovy Loops" by J. Scott McKenzie, a nod to the winter season with a performance of Ron Nelson's "Morning Alleluias for the Winter Solstice", and concludes with a set of "Three Latin Dances" by Jeff Tyzik.

Friday, February 5, 2027 7:30pm Paul Davenport Theatre (1.5 hours)

Heroic Sketches

Our third concert features Alfred Reed's "Viva Musica!", followed by "Adoration" a transcription by composer Florence Price who is considered to be the first Black female to be recognized as an orchestral composer. The concert continues with "Heart on Fire" by Viet Cuong, Clare Grundman's "Three Sketches for Winds", and finishes with "Khan" by Emmy-winning composer Julie Giroux.

Saturday, April 3, 2027 3:00pm Paul Davenport Theatre (1.5 hours)

Urban Dances

Join us for the final concert of the 2026-2027 season! Works include "Four Norfolk Dances" by Philip Sparke, "The Purple Carnival March" by Harry L. Alford, Eric Whitacre's character piece "Noisy Wheels of Joy", "Letters from Sado" by Jodie Blackshaw, and closes with technical flourish with "Urban Light" by James M. David.