The Furman University Bands offer a range of opportunities for students across campus creating an environment of excellence in music-making. Whether it’s in one of our outstanding concert groups, the Paladin Regiment Marching Band, Jazz Ensembles, Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble or one of our other chamber groups, there is a place for YOU within the Furman Bands. All ensembles are open to non-majors!
Bands
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I'd like to tell you more about what makes our program exceptional. We will be your musical home--where you will be known, challenged, and valued. Be part of one of the best organizations on campus!
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Interested in joining the band? Tell us more about your musical interests.
Meet our Faculty!
Meet our team of directors and learn more about our fabulous faculty!
Academics and Band
Participants in the Furman Bands have a wide variety of major areas of study–yes, we have terrific music majors--but we also have many wonderful musicians in our program who major in sciences, business, computer science, engineering, and virtually all majors offered on campus.
Symphonic Band
Our Symphonic Band brings together musicians from across all majors on campus to perform some of the finest wind band literature available.
Marching and Pep Bands
The Paladin Regiment Marching Band boasts powerful and entertaining performances for Furman football games at home and select away games. As the musical ambassadors for the University, the Paladin Regiment represents Furman at various community events and parades both on and off campus. Membership is open to any Furman student instrumental musicians, dancers, colorguard members, or twirlers.
Jazz Studies & Ensembles
Jazz is about musical interaction, flexibility and team-work. You will perform not only on-campus, but in multiple local venues alongside your teachers and regional professional musicians.
Spirit Wear
Super-soft hoodies, sweatshirts and T-shirt!
A community ensemble, the Furman Summer Concert Band performs at six of the Music By the Lake Thursday evening events. Adults and skilled youth welcome! Sight-read on Tuesday night, perform on Thursday night. Conducted by Sue Samuels, PhD., Furman Director of Bands. The Music by the Lake Summer Series runs from the last Thursday night in May through the first Thursday night in August.
Schedule available in April.
Interested in participating in the band? We have a form for that! Click Here to request more information and alert Dr. Samuels to your interest.
June 11-16, 2022
One of the oldest and most distinguished summer music camps in the country, the Furman Band and Orchestra Camp is a one week intensive event for middle school and high school concert band and orchestral string students. Approximately 270 students attend each summer as either commuters or residential boarding students. Participants perform in one of four large ensembles (a full symphony orchestra, a string orchestra, and two concert bands) and may audition for a jazz ensemble, various chamber groups, or perform as a soloist on the Honors Solo Recital. Private lessons also available.
More information coming soon!
June 26 – July 1, 2022
A joint program of Furman Music and the non-profit Greenville Jazz Collective, the camp is a unique experience designed to encourage students in grades 8th – 12th to fuel their jazz performance skills. 6th and 7th grade students considered based on teacher recommendation. Students of all instruments can apply, particularly those who play saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, guitar, bass (electric and/or acoustic), and drum set. In 2020 we will also accept a limited number of high school vocal soloists. Board or Commute.
More information coming soon!
The Composing for Percussion Seminar is a 4-week symposium conceived from the ground up as an accessible and affordable online experience with multiple participation options based on your schedule and budget. This unique seminar features a roster of world-class faculty and guest composers, our goal is to provide a unique summer event that celebrates creativity and diversity across all genres of percussion. Whether you are a percussionist wanting to learn more about composing, or a composer wanting to learn more about percussion, there is something for you at the Composing for Percussion Seminar! Ages 15 and up.
Homecoming Weekend, October 28-29, 2022
Thank you to everyone who joined us during Homecoming, and/or supported us through the purchase of a Band Alumni t-shirt or other gift! We hope to see you again next year.
Are you an alum who hasn’t shared their updated contact information with the Furman Bands? Please contact bands@furman.edu to let us know who you are, when you participated, and that you’d like to be on the email list. You may also sign up for our free newsletter, which provides updates about the current Furman Bands, here.
The Furman Honor Band Symposium experience is a unique two-day dual event for middle school and high school students. Band directors may submit nominations here.
For complete information about Honor Band Symposium, click here, or read our detailed summary below.
Furman Honor Band Symposium
Friday, November 18th-Saturday, November 19th, 2022
Honor Concert Band – a clinic experience wherein students will attend instrument technique classes and chamber music rehearsals on Friday, November 18th. Friday evening ends with a celebration showcase performance for friends and family.
Honor Marching Band – students will return to campus on Saturday morning for a rehearsal of marching band music, a brief outdoor rehearsal with Furman’s Paladin Regiment Marching Band, and a halftime performance at the Furman football game! We also welcome color guard, dancers, and twirlers.
Submit nominations here.
Students and directors will be notified of their acceptance by November 4th.
Cost at a glance (more details below):
Full Symposium Weekend: $40
Concert Band only: $25
Marching Band only: $25
Questions? Contact Dr. Sue Samuels at sue.samuels@furman.edu
Eligibility
Ninth through twelfth-grade students are eligible. Band directors should recommend students across all 4-grade levels, as care will be taken in the selection process to include all grade levels. Over 200 invitations will be extended for the 2022 Furman University High School Honor Band Symposium.
Division of Ensembles
On Friday, students will meet in like-instrument sectionals and classes for the majority of the day. There will be large group performances (woodwinds, brass, percussion) for the evening showcase performance.
On Saturday, students will join the Paladin Regiment as one large massed band at halftime!
Selection Process
No audition required. Band directors may nominate up to 10% of their current enrollment for participation in the honor band. Priority for selection will be made as follows:
- Band Director’s Ranked Order of Recommendation
- 2022 All-State Students (seated)
- Seniors with past experience at Furman band/summer camp events
- ALL students with past experience at Furman band/summer events
- ALL students with positive band director recommendations (includes color guard, dancers, and twirlers for marching portion)
Given these selection criteria, we will make every attempt to take all seniors who apply to the Furman High School Honor Band Symposium Weekend. Priority will be placed upon each director’s ranking scale in making our preliminary selections. Any additional pertinent information will assist in the decision-making process. In order to have fair representation from all schools, we ask that you keep your number of nominees near 10% of your program’s total enrollment. Due to limited space, only the highest-ranked 200 of the total nominees will be selected for the concert band. However, ALL STUDENTS WITH POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS from their band directors will be selected to participate in the marching portion of the event.
Director Nomination Form
Submit nominations here.
Notification of acceptance will email to directors on November 4.
Questions? Contact Dr. Sue Samuels, Furman Director of Bands
864-294-3193 or email sue.samuels@furman.edu
Important Information
Cost:
Full Symposium Weekend: $40
Concert Band only: $25
Marching Band only: $25
All participation fees are non-refundable and due after notification of selection (we will provide a registration/payment portal). Here’s what they cover:
- Full Symposium Weekend, $40: all instruction, Friday dinner, Saturday snacks, Saturday lunch, admission to the Furman football game, a participation medal, and a shirt
- Concert Band only, $25: instruction, Friday dinner, a participation medal, and a shirt
- Marching Band only, $25: instruction, snack/lunch, admission to the Furman football game, a participation medal, and a shirt
Students are encouraged to participate in the entire Furman Honor Band Experience, but may also elect to participate in only the concert band or only the marching band experience.
Event Location: Furman University campus (McAlister Auditorium, Daniel Music Building, and Ellis Field/Paladin Stadium)
Audition Information
There is no audition for this event. Band Director recommendation is required.
Schedule
Friday, November 18 ——————–
3:30-4:30 – registration (Daniel Music Building Lobby)
4:30-6:00 – instrument techniques classes (locations to be assigned)
6:00-6:45 – dinner (provided)
7:00-8:30 – ensemble rehearsals
8:30-9:00 – Showcase Performance
Saturday, November 19 ——————-
8:00-8:30 – registration/check in
8:30-10:00 – sectional rehearsals
10:00-10:30 – field placement with Paladin Regiment
10:30 – Fan Zone with Paladin Regiment
10:45-11:30 – snack break and change into uniforms
11:45 – in stands to see pregame
12:00 – kick off
1:00 – lunch in the stands
1:30 – halftime
2:00 – students may be dismissed after the halftime performance or they may stay for the entire game with dismissal around 3 pm.
VIDEOS: 2019 Honor Band with Alfred Watkins and Leslie Gilreath, conductors