University of Kansas Bands

Welcome back Marching Jayhawks! It's good to see you.

Scenes from Camp 📷

Join us this year for an exciting series of performances from the University of Kansas Wind Orchestra and their conductor Dr. Matt Smith.

This fall, we are excited to welcome world-renowned composers Nicole Piunno and Pete Meechan as composers-in-residence to Lawrence to work with KU Bands!

Sign-ups for the Fall 2026 ensemble placement audition are now posted at the Band Office (124 Murphy Hall)! An audition is required for placement into our Wind Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Symphony Orchestra. No audition is required for our University Band, though, you may complete an audition for that ensemble if desired.

Auditions begin in two weeks on Monday, August 24th. Dates, times, and audition material can be found at music.ku.edu/band/concert-band-auditions.

Prof. Toulouse and Dr. Sawyer had a fantastic time visiting our friends at Fruhauf Uniforms, Inc. today! It was great catching up and getting everything ready as we gear up for another exciting season with the Kansas Marching Jayhawks. We cannot wait to welcome our students back and kick off the 2026 KUMJ season!

Congratulations to Abby, one of our former drum majors!

Congratulations to Abigail Lyche of Blue Valley West High School for being named one of this year's KBA Outstanding Young Bandmasters!

Abigail Lyche is beginning her fourth year as Assistant Band Director at Blue Valley West High School. In her role, she directs the Symphonic Band and co-directs the Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Pep Bands. She also assists with sixth grade beginning band at Lakewood Middle School and Pleasant Ridge Middle School as a woodwind specialist. In addition to her job, Abigail is the sponsor for Blue Valley West’s Tri-M Music Honor Society. Prior to her work in Kansas, Abigail served as the Head Band and Orchestra Director at Patrick Henry Middle School in Alexandria, Virginia and as a K-6 General Music Teacher at Lake Highlands Elementary School in Richardson, Texas. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Kansas. Abigail continues her love for music by performing regularly with the Crossroads Wind Symphony on both flute and piccolo. Outside of music, she loves baking, fishing, and spending time with her husband and two sons.

More coverage about our performance last week!

KU marching band welcomes Algeria’s World Cup team to Lawrence with country's national anthem The University of Kansas marching band welcomed Algeria's men's national team on Thursday to Lawrence by playing the team a familiar tune — their country's national anthem.

Congratulations to our very own Leslie O'Neil, KU Bands office manager, for being one of two recipients of KU's Employee of the Month for May, 2026! Anyone who has interacted with the band office knows how special she is. We love you, Leslie!

Employee of the Month Winners Employee of the Month Winners April 2026Matt MillerOnboarding CoordinatorHuman Resources Read more about Matt Miller's work Click to expandMatt Miller is being recognized as an April 2026 University of Kansas Employee of the Month for his ability to welcome new employees and create a sense of belong...

We had a great time yesterday welcoming Algeria's team to Lawrence at Rock Chalk Park!

ATTENTION KU STUDENTS: The ensemble audition excerpts and audition schedule for Fall 2026 auditions have been posted online!

Any KU student, regardless of major, may audition for concert ensembles, including the Wind Orchestra and Wind Symphony. Membership in the University Band does not require an audition, but you may audition into the ensemble.

Audition time sign-ups will be posted later this summer in 124 Murphy Hall.

https://music.ku.edu/band/concert-band-auditions