The IUP Music Department and the IUP Community Music School (IUPCMS) are excited to partner for the spring 2022 semester in offering a special topics course, University Band [MUSC 281]. This new, student-centered ensemble will provide a unique and intergenerational playing opportunity for all graduate and undergraduate IUP students who are non-music majors, all IUP music majors on their secondary instruments, as well as talented high school students and adults from the surrounding community.
Beginning January 25, the group will meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in 121 Cogswell, and will be led by conductor and IUP music professor Jason Worzbyt. IUP students may take the class for zero credit if they are registered for at least 15 credit hours, or one credit if they are below 15.
"One of the best things about this," said Worzbyt, "is that there is NO audition required to play in the ensemble!"
He continued, "In my 24 years at IUP I have met many students from all academic disciplines who played in their high school band and wanted to continue to play in college, but absolutely would not get up in front of the music faculty to audition for one of the Music Department's major ensembles. This new collaboration is that fun and engaging musical opportunity they've been looking for—and without the pressure of an audition!"
IUP students interested in being a part of the ensemble simply need to follow a two-step process:
- Register for MUSC 281 (zero credit if at 15 credits or more; one credit if below 15 credits)
- Email the following information to both the conductor, Jason Worzbyt at reedtip@iup.edu, and the IUPCMS director, Jeff Wacker at jwacker@iup.edu:
- What instrument you plan to play
- Previous playing experience
- Whether you're a music major or non-music major.
Community members will continue to follow the current process of registering into the IUPCMS via the online registration form if they've not participated previously, or if they've played in the past or are currently playing, emailing both Worzbyt and Wacker of their intent to play.
"It's been proven time and time again that the skills music provides and reinforces are those most prized by future employers, so I'm very excited about this opportunity to make music with the IUP and Indiana community," said Worzbyt.
For more information or with questions, email Professor Worzbyt at reedtip@iup.edu and/or Jeff Wacker at jwacker@iup.edu, or call the IUPCMS at 724-357-4565.