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Areas of study

Richmond’s Bands

Richmond’s Bands began in 1995 with the founding of the Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble for advanced high school musicians. The following year, the Richmond Honors Band was created as an opportunity for advanced middle school and young high school students and in response to popular demand, a high school jazz ensemble was added the following year.

The Richmond’s Bands program is a valu­able addition to Richmond’s vibrant instrumental community, offering aspects of a district or all-state band experience within a long-term rehearsal environment.

The program has given Richmond-area students the opportunity to work with some of the finest conductors and teachers in the U.S. Guest conductors for GRYWE have included composer Timothy Mahr, retired United States Marine Band Director Colonel John Bourgeois, band clinician and author Ed Lisk and internationally renowned conductor David Whitwell. Students from Richmond’s Bands have gone on to study in some of the finest music schools in the country.

For more information, see the Richmond’s Bands audition brochure [PDF] and the GRYWE handbook [PDF].

Audition information

Wednesday, January 25, 5-7 p.m.
Bird High School Bandroom (Chesterfield County)

Thursday, January 26, 5-7 p.m.
Patrick Henry High School (Hanover County)

Tuesday January 31, 5-7 p.m.
Vlahcevic Concert Hall at VCU

GRYWE audition excerpts

Membership in the Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble is determined by audition. Students are asked to prepare the following excerpt for their instrument.

Those students wishing to audition for the Richmond Honors Band do NOT use the GRYWE excerpts. Please prepare a piece of your choice for your audition.

Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Department of Music