The Coastal Carolina University
Band Program, begun in the Fall of 2000, offers a wide range of opportunities
to continue to “feel the thrill of performance” after high
school – for both music majors and non-majors. These include the
Spirit of the Chanticleer Marching Band, Basketball Pep Band, Jazz After
Hours Big Band, Symphonic Band and The Coastal Winds. Percussion ensembles
such as the Grand Strand Pans, CCU Percussion Ensemble and STRIKE Japanese
Taiko Drums, along with numerous studio ensembles such as flute choir
and sax ensemble round out a comprehensive list of experiences available
on the CCU campus.
The CCU Band Program is housed
in the Coastal Band Hall, which includes practice and rehearsal space
for large and small ensembles, as well as all Wind & Percussion
faculty studios. The Spirit of the Chanticleer Marching Band practice
field is located adjacent to the main building. The percussion studio
features a significant collection of world music instruments such as
a full steel drum band, African mallet and battery instruments, Japanese
taiko drums, and Brazilian percussion, along with traditional western
instruments. The preeminent assets of the percussion inventory are two
five-octave marimbas handmade by Marimba One. The Wind & Percussion
program and/or its faculty hold endorsements from Jupiter, Dynasty,
Vic Firth, Remo, and Zildjan.
THE COASTAL WINDS
CCU SYMPHONIC BAND
(Dr. James L. Tully, Conductor)
The Coastal Winds consists
of the finest wind and percussion players at Coastal Carolina University.
Featuring performers selected by audition, this group regularly programs
the best in wind band literature, from the Renaissance masters to the
most recent prize winning composers. This group rehearses in the Spring
semester MWF 3:15-5:00. The CCUSymphonic Band has
been the mainstay of the concert band program since it's inception in
the Fall of 2001. This ensemble has played two world premiers, and performed
with some of the idiom's finest wind band conductors and soloists, who
serve as guests on each concert. The group rehearses both Fall and Spring
semesters T-TH 1:15-2:45.
Begun in the Fall of 2003, The CCU
Spirit of the Chanticleer Marching Band is the most visible of the CCU
Bands, providing the color and pageantry of Coastal Athletics and enrichment
of university life. The band performs regularly at home and away football
games, parades, and festivals, accepts invitations to perform at high
school marching band exhibitions. The band schedule does not conflict
with other academic classes. In fact, members of the band enjoy having
a break from daily study and classroom work while building leadership
skills and lifelong friendships.
Spirit holds its annual preseason
band camp approximately one week prior to the fall term. Band camp is
required of all members and consists of placement auditions, fundamentals
training, and show preparations. After the conclusion of camp, the band
resumes a class-time rehearsal schedule—no extra rehearsals are
scheduled outside of class. The band rehearses Wednesday and Friday
from 3:15 to 5:30pm and on Saturdays before home games. Members enroll
for university credit toward their academic degree. In addition, the
university pays for most all expenses, including the preseason band
camp and all of the band's travel costs.
This is the group that provides musical
support for basketball and arena functions. The Pep Band is open to
any student regardless of major. Rehearsals generally begin in late
October on Monday evenings with performances starting in early December
at men's home basketball games.
Jazz After Hours offers
the opportunity for students to learn and experience music that is one
of the only truly American forms of music. Jazz After Hours is open
to any student regardless of major, with instructor permission. Smaller
combos are sometimes formed from members of the large ensemble.
