MU WIND BANDS
MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY WIND BANDS
| MU WIND ENSEMBLE | MU CONCERT BAND |
| Dr. Joseph Cernuto, Director | Dr. Christy Banks, Director |
| joseph.cernuto@millersville.edu | christy.banks@millersville.edu |
WIND BANDS
WIND ENSEMBLE
The Wind Ensemble is the premier concert ensemble of the MU band program. Conducted by Dr. Joe Cernuto, the band is comprised of the most accomplished woodwind, brass, and percussion players at Millersville University. The 50 members of the Wind Ensemble perform the finest existing and emerging wind band literature, and frequently commission new music from established and emerging composers. Members are selected by audition at the beginning of the Fall semester. The Wind Ensemble presents two on-campus concerts each semester as well as clinics and performances off-campus at schools and community events in the region. Performances regularly feature nationally recognized guest artists.
The Wind Ensemble is the recipient of 3rd Place in the 2024 American Prize for the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music.
The Wind Ensemble was selected for performance in the 2025 PMEA Annual In-Service Conference and performed at Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 2025.
Rehearsals: Tuesday & Thursday, 2:30-4:00 pm; WVPAC 100.
CONCERT BAND
The Concert Band (Dr. Christy Banks and Dr. Joe Cernuto, conductors) seeks to broaden the musical horizons of its members and audiences by performing a variety of quality literature, including original wind band classics, new music, transcriptions, and music from the jazz and popular genres. The Concert Band is comprised of approximately 70 wind and percussion players and is open to all students with previous band experience. Placement auditions are held at the beginning of each semester to determine part assignments. The Concert Band presents two concerts on campus each semester.
Rehearsals: Fall Semester: Monday & Wednesday, 4:15-5:45 pm; WVPAC 100. Spring Semester, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:15-5:45 pm; WVPAC 100.
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Fall 2025 Audition Dates
Fall 2025 Audition dates (rename tab) as taking place on Wednesday, August 27, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and Thursday, August 28, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
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General Information
The MU Wind Band program consists of two concert bands - the Wind Ensemble, where members audition for entry and placement, and the Concert Band, where auditions are for part placement and seating only.
Students are required to make room in their schedule for their assigned ensemble. No lesson, internship, or work should be scheduled that conflicts with your assigned ensemble time.
If a student cannot audition during the listed times, email Dr. Cernuto at joseph.cernuto@millersville.edu for further instructions.
Wind and percussion students interested in performing in the MU Orchestra should contact Dr. Volchansky at vera.volchansky@millersville.edu for more information and instructions.
Auditions will last approximately five minutes and will be first-come first first-served during the allotted time. There will be a room monitor who will assign you a number and introduce you. DO NOT SPEAK DURING THE AUDITION TO PRESERVE ANONYMITY.
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Winds and Percussion Audition Material
The audition will consist of the student playing all of the etudes below (percussionists play snare and mallets) and a full-range chromatic scale.
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String Bass and Piano Audition Material
There will be a need for piano and string bass in Wind Ensemble and likely in Concert Band. People interested in those performing instruments should email Dr. Cernuto at joseph.cernuto@millersville.edu.
Audition Materials Fall 2021 2025