Symphonic Band

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About the Ensemble

Since 1920, the Furman Symphonic Band has created exceptional music in concert halls on campus and throughout the country. Performers in this ensemble come from a wide variety of majors on campus–one of the benefits of being a top national liberal arts university.  The Symphonic Band performs concerts in the 2000-seat McAlister Auditorium on campus and regularly travels to perform for other groups and communities as well as for professional conferences.

Auditions for membership and chair placement are held during the first week of classes, fall and spring semesters. Audition music is available in the office and on this website two weeks before the auditions begin. Auditions are open to all interested university students.  The Symphonic Band rehearses Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4 – 6 p.m. (Fall semester begins with only Mondays until later in the fall marching season. Spring semester includes occasional Fridays).

The Symphonic Band is conducted by Sue Samuels, PhD., Director of Bands, and David Stanley, DMA, Associate Director of Bands.

Audition Information

What to Prepare

Fall 2026 Symphonic Band auditions will consist of:

  • Materials located here.
  • 2 major scales (you may choose 1, and we will choose 1) of the 12 major scales – multiple octaves when possible
  • The excerpts found at the link above (I recommend that you find recordings of the pieces as you prepare them if possible)
  • 1 brief sightreading excerpt

When/Where

Fall placement auditions will be held on Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 25 from 2:00-6:30 p.m. Please contact bands@furman.edu (if you are not already on the Furman Bands email list) to receive a link to sign up for an audition time.