UNC Charlotte Bands

10/08/2026

Congrats to the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble on their fantastic concerts last week! Both ensembles performed an exciting program at a high level and kicked off the concert season with vigor.

We also were fortunate to welcome Mr. Kerry Taylor, retired Director of Bands at Westlake High School and Fine Arts Coordinator for Eanes Independent School District in Austin, TX, to work with our music education and band students. Mr. Taylor guest conducted both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and worked with our conducting and woodwind techniques classes.

Our concerts happened this year during Niner Nation Week, which culminated with Homecoming and our annual "Pride of Niner Nation" Marching Band Alumni Band. It is always special to welcome our band family back to campus and this was a fun end to an exciting week!

Go Niners! ⛏

09/16/2026

We are excited to announce the 2026 UNC Charlotte Invitational Honor Bands - December 4 and 5!

This fantastic event, organized by the music education area at Charlotte, brings together outstanding high school student musicians from throughout the South Central District to work with our music faculty and students and to perform in the beautiful Anne R. Belk Theater of the Robinson Center for the Performing Arts.

Dr. Hunter Kopczynski, Director of Bands and Dr. Brian Taylor, Associate Director of Bands, will serve as conductors of each of the bands.

Scholarships are offered to select outstanding participants wishing to major in music and participate in the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band at UNC Charlotte.

South Central District Directors and alums, please see your email for the nomination form and additional information. Nominations are open until September 18 and open to high school students in the South Central District and alumni programs.

Please contact [email protected] with questions.

08/25/2026

Still time to sign up! Register by August 28.

Join us for Honor Band Day on Saturday, September 5th.
Experience a college gameday from the PNNMB's perspective.

Register and learn more here: https://marchingband.charlotte.edu/events/marching-honor-band/

08/25/2026

Just a couple weeks away!

08/23/2026

Join us this fall for a concert at the Anne R. Belk Theatre in Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts!

Put these dates in your calendar to hear some great music played by our amazing students. We have a great year planned. Music by Bremer, Bronnenkant, Flagello, Grantham, Hindemith, Holst, Horne, Newman, Orff, Price, Shaw, Sweelinck, and more coming up!

Additionally, the Wind Ensemble will be touring Western North Carolina on November 5.

Look for more information about these concerts, our tour, and several upcoming outreach events!

07/02/2026

Join us this fall! Audition information for concert ensembles is now posted on our website: https://coaa.charlotte.edu/music/ensembles/bands/

06/26/2026

We wrapped up our 4th Annual Charlotte Band Directors Workshop and Conducting Symposium last week! It is always an honor to welcome music educators and students from across the country to campus for three intense days of learning, growth, and music-making.

Dr. Travis Cross, Director of Bands at UCLA; Dr. Alfred Watkins, Director of Bands, ret. from Lassiter High School; and Dr. Travis Higa, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Southern Mississippi joined our band faculty as clinicians this year.

Participants conducted the workshop band and received feedback from all clinicians, participated in three rehearsal labs, and attended clinic sessions on conducting and program development.

We value every opportunity to connect with educators and programs to learn, grow, and share. Thank you to all the participants and our UNC Charlotte Music students who joined us to make this event possible!

06/21/2026

This week we wrapped up our first Summer Music Camp with a fantastic inaugural class!

Campers rehearsed and performed as a full band; formed chamber ensembles to develop listening and collaboration skills; workshopped new unpublished music by composer-in-residence Tyler S. Grant; had a recording session on that new music; took masterclasses with faculty and guests on arranging, composing, conducting, chamber music, and performing; and got to meet and work with current UNC Charlotte Music students.

Congrats to our fantastic participants on a great week and thank you to the amazing Tyler S. Grant for sharing so much!

05/27/2026

Be a part of the 2026 PNNMB! ⛏️

2026 Commitment Form: https://marchingband.charlotte.edu/join-the-band/pnnmb-commitment-form/

We are getting excited for our 2026 season. Be a part of the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band!

04/24/2026

One of the best things about studying music in Charlotte is having access to world class music, experiences, and opportunities right in our backyard. Today, students in our Instrumental Conducting class and some members of the Wind Ensemble observed a rehearsal with the Charlotte Symphony and got to speak with Music Director Kwamé Ryan and Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees. Thanks for taking some time to share with our students!

We value the opportunity to work with the Charlotte Symphony and appreciate all they provide to music education in our community. Plus it’s an added bonus to hear so many of our UNC Charlotte Music faculty playing with the symphony.