 Furman Bands:
- Brass
- Woodwind
- Percussion
- Majors AND non-majors welcome!
- Three major ensembles + symphony orchestra winds
- Jazz ensemble and jazz combos
- Multitude of chamber music groups
- All undergraduate membership set by audition
- Degrees in Education, Performance, Composition, Theory
- Strong internship/alumni connection
The SYMPHONIC BAND, open to all Furman students, performs several times annually. Each year, the Symphonic Band
tours communities in South Carolina and the regional United States. Previous
extended tours have included performances in Florida, New York, Washington D.C.,
New Orleans, and Europe. In addition to an active performance schedule, the
Furman Symphonic Band has recorded new music for Carl Fischer Music Publishers
and performed for the South Carolina Music Educators Convention. The Symphonic
Band provides music for the annual spring commencement services. Fall rehearsals: Mondays 3:30 - 5:30pm. Spring rehearsals: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:30pm. Membership is determined by audition and fulfills the music scholarship large ensemble requirement. Faculty
contact: Dr. Leslie
Hicken
 The WIND ENSEMBLE combines by
audition the top fifty wind, brass, and percussion students at Furman, both
majors and non-majors, and performs the most difficult repertoire for this
medium. The highlights of previous seasons included guest conducting appearances
by Prof. Ray Cramer, director of Bands at Indiana University, Maestro Keith
Lockhart of the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra, and nationally acclaimed
composer, W. Francis McBeth. The Wind Ensemble begins rehearsals during the fall
marching season, meeting twice a week. Auditions are held at the beginning of each term using posted excerpts. Membership fulfills the music scholarship large ensemble requirement. Faculty
contact: Dr. Les Hicken.
Wind Ensemble Performance at Carnegie
Hall... Read more.
 The PALADIN REGIMENT Marching Band is 120+ members
strong and is one of the finest groups of its kind in the nation. Directed by DCI Hall of Fame inductee Jay Bocook,
the Paladin Regiment has entertained audiences at professional football games,
Disney World shows, and numerous regional exhibitions, including state marching
championships. It is the aim of the marching band (horn line, drum line, front ensemble and the Furman Dance Company) to provide audiences with variety and entertainment that also contain
leading-edge drill and creative musical arrangements. An important part
of a future band director's skill set, participation is both an
educational and a musical experience - and a whole lot of fun! The Paladin Regiment is NOT the all-consuming activity you experienced in your high school career. Open to all interested and
qualified Furman students, rehearsals begin prior to the start of school and take place twice a week in the Fall (Wednesdays and Fridays 3:30 - 5:30pm). Membership fulfills the music scholarship large ensemble requirement.
Director of Athletic Bands and marching arranger: Mr. Jay Bocook
 Director of Bands: Dr. Leslie HickenWatch on UTube!
-2011: "Jump" and "Forget You"
-2010: Glee, Safety Dance and Lady Gaga
-2009: Michael Jackson's Thriller
-2009: Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody
Our Drum Corps International connection:
Jay Bocook, long time arranger for Garfield Cadets, inducted into DCI Hall of Fame!
 The Jazz Ensemble performs the best big band
literature in jazz, Latin and fusion, entertaining groups with concerts on
campus and throughout the state. Membership is by audition and open to all
interested students, music major and non-major alike. Outstanding guitar, bass,
drum set and jazz piano students team up with saxophone, trombone and trumpet
musicians to prepare several performances throughout the year. As part of the
jazz program, quartets and small combos branch out to explore literature for
smaller ensembles. Faculty contact: Dr. Matt Olson
The Chamber Winds and Furman
Percussion Ensemble are comprised of several smaller ensembles which
rehearse during the early portions of Winter Term, and give a concert late in
January. The different ensembles, which are mainly divided according to
instrument quality (brass or woodwind), are composed of Furman's finest wind and
percussion players, and are directed by various wind faculty from the Music
Department. Visit the Furman Percussion web site. Faculty contact: Dr. Les Hicken
 The Furman
Symphony Orchestra is one of the few all-undergraduate full symphony
orchestras in the country; select wind and percussion players may earn placement
through audition and teacher recommendation. Learn more about the Furman Symphony Orchestra
and Dr.
Thomas Joiner, conductor.
The Paladin Basketball
Band furnishes entertainment for all home basketball games during the
winter semester. Open to select marching band students, membership is based on
seniority, expertise, dependability and prior experience. Basketball band
members receive a stipend per game, including the required after-season
tournaments. Faculty contact: Mr. Jay Bocook
FACULTY
 Mark Britt, Trombone, Department Chair
Omar Carmenates, Percussion
Robert Chesebro, Clarinet, Woodwind Coordinator
Cynthia Hopkins, Flute
Gary Malvern, Trumpet
Phil Elkins, Trumpet assistant
Matt Olson, Saxophone, Coordinator of Jazz Studies
Paula Riddle, Horn
Michael Taylor, Euphonium and Tuba
Petrea Warneck, Oboe
Steve Wilson, Trombone
Amy Yang,
Bassoon
|
|