Bands
ULM Bands attract students from throughout the United States. Band students represent
virtually every academic program within the University. Former band members have graduated
to become doctors, lawyers, nurses, airline pilots, professional musicians, music
educators, television news anchors, and at least one state representative. Ensembles
include the Sound of Today marching band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble,
and the Technical Fowls basketball pep band. Additional instrumental ensembles within
the Music Program include brass quintet, horn ensemble, flute choir, trombone ensemble,
trumpet ensemble, bassoon ensemble, tuba and euphonium ensemble, New Orleans-style
brass band, percussion ensemble, steel drum ensemble, and African drum ensemble. For
more information, email bratcher@ulm.edu.
Faculty
- Nicholas Bratcher, D.M.E., Professor, Director of Bands
- Allen Parrish, D.M.A. Assistant Professor, Director of Athletic Bands
- Kathryn Irwin, D.M.A. Assistant Professor, Applied Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Drumline
- Mr. Jack White, Director of Bands, Emeritus
Ensembles
The Sound of Today Marching Band
The Sound of Today is one of the most recognized college bands in the United States.
The SOT performs at all home football games and travels to select out-of-town games
with the ULM Warhawks football team. Membership is comprised of virtually every academic
program on campus. SOT members enjoy financial assistance through the Band Talent
Grant program. The amount of the talent grant is determined by an audition, the student's
accomplishments prior to ULM, their major field of study, and the needs of the Music
Program.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premier instrumental performing group within the Music Program.
Membership is by audition at the end of the Fall semester. The Wind Ensemble performs
the most challenging literature for the wind band. Comprised of up to 52 of the most
proficient wind and percussion players on campus, the Wind Ensemble performs several
concerts on campus throughout the year and travels throughout Louisiana and surrounding
states as musical ambassadors for the university.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band performs several concerts on campus each year. Membership is by
audition at the end of the Fall semester. The Symphonic band performs a wide variety
of challenging literature for the wind band. Comprised of up to 75 highly proficient
wind and percussion players, all Symphonic Band members qualify for band talent grants
if they participated in Marching Band during the fall semester.
Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble performs several concerts on campus throughout the year and travels
throughout Louisiana and surrounding states as musical ambassadors for the university.
Jazz Ensemble students qualify for additional talent grant money.
Technical Fowls Basketball Band Performs at all home basketball games and selected away games, including the annual
Sunbelt Conference tournament. Membership is selected by audition, and eligible students
can receive an additional Talent Grant award for performing in this ensemble.
Choral
The University of Louisiana at Monroe has multiple ensembles that offer ULM students
an opportunity to sing and be a part of a music community here on campus. Any ULM
student may participate in these groups. Membership in two of the choirs is by audition—the
Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers. The University Chorale is open to any interested
person without any audition required.
Faculty
Ensembles
AUDITIONED ENSEMBLES
Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is ULM’s premiere choral ensemble of 40-60 mixed voices. This auditioned
choir performs a variety of literature both sacred and secular. In addition to the
seasonal concerts given during the academic year, the group sings for and serves as
one of the recruiting ensembles for the Music Program by performing at high schools
and colleges in the area. The choir rehearses five days a week working through repertoire
in sectional and combined rehearsal configurations.
Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers is a select group of 12-24 voices. The group performs accompanied
and a cappella music of all styles and periods. Chamber Singers are auditioned out
of the concert choir. They give 1-2 chamber concerts on their own each year. They
sing at social functions in the community and serve as a recruiting ensemble for the
Music Program.
UNAUDITIONED ENSEMBLES
Warhawk Singers
A non-auditioned choral ensemble for Tenor/Bass Singers that performs standard choral
repertoire, contemporary/entertainment music, and offers campus and community service
opportunities.
Bayou La Belle
A non-auditioned choral ensemble for Soprano/Alto singers that performs standard choral
repertoire, contemporary/entertainment music, and offer campus and community service
performance opportunities.
University Chorale
The University Chorale rehearses and performs in conjunction with the Bayou Masterworks
Chorale, a community choir. The Chorale is open to any and all students at ULM wishing
to sing and make music, regardless of their major or degree track. University Chorale
rehearses for one hour each week on Monday evenings.
Percussion
The ULM Percussion Ensemble is the premier percussion performing group within the Music Program. Membership is
open to all ULM students by appointment of the ensemble director, Dr. Kathryn Irwin. The percussion ensemble performs historical and current works written specifically
for the idiom. ULM Percussion Ensemble concerts also regularly consist of world premieres
of new percussion ensemble literature. Comprised of the most proficient percussion
players on campus, the percussion ensemble performs concerts each semester on campus,
off campus, throughout Louisiana and the surrounding area as musical ambassadors for
the university.
Bayou Steel is the steel drum ensemble here at ULM. Performing the music of the Caribbean on
the native instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Steel drums are 55-gallon oil drums
that have been processed into instruments through the heating and hammering of an
arrangement of pitches for each voice within the ensemble. Bayou Steel is also open
to all ULM students by appointment of the director. Bayou Steel performs a concert
on campus each semester and throughout Louisiana and the surrounding area of ULM.
To book Bayou Steel for an event, please contact Dr. Kathryn Irwin, kirwin@ulm.edu.
Faculty
Faculty Ensembles
Black Bayou Brass, Faculty Brass Trio in Residence
Lunte/Seiler Duo, Flute and Piano Duo
Trio Mélange, Soprano, Horn, and Piano Trio
VAPA
VAPA Music