University of Kentucky Bands

We are celebrating 50 years of the UK College of Fine Arts!

Picture it: Lexington, Kentucky, 1976.

The University of Kentucky Senate Organization and Structure Committee recommends the creation of a College of Fine Arts, formally recognizing the need for a designated college on campus devoted to the academic pursuit of arts education.

Since 1976, the College of Fine Arts has fostered creative excellence, inspired innovation, and strengthened communities across Kentucky and beyond. From our founding in 1976 to the achievements that continue to shape our future today, we invite you to celebrate with us during the 2026-27 academic year as we host a series of special events to commemorate 50 years of Fine Arts at UK!

Explore our full anniversary timeline: https://finearts.uky.edu/college-fine-arts/cfa-anniversary-timeline



Image: A clipping from the April 2, 1976 Kentucky Kernel newspaper listing the University Senate agenda for the then upcoming April 12th meeting. Under number five titled "Action Items," the B item is "Report of Organization and Structure Committee" recommending creation of the College of Fine Arts, circulated under the date of March 29, 1976.

📸: University of Kentucky Bands / David H. McRae

Our annual Marching Honor Band Day is open for registration! High school students, please join us for CATURDAY on September 5th! Bring your instrument and a guardian (if under 18) for an exciting day as a member of the Wildcat Marching Band! Click this link to register and learn more: https://finearts.uky.edu/music/events/wildcat-marching-band-honor-day-2026

⌛ Reminiscing on our time at Kroger Field. 🏈
🎶 Only 122 more days until we are back! 😸

P.S. The commitment form is in the link in our bio if you want to join us!

Happy Finals! We are spending our time reminiscing on our wonderful weekend of music! Enjoy some of these amazing photos from David McRae!

More photos from the weekend can also be found on David's Facebook!

This past Sunday, we hosted our University of Kentucky Bands Awards Program! It was a great opportunity to recognize some of our students' contributions to the bands. We also would like to extend a "Thank you!" to everyone who made this possible! We could not make this happen without the support of our donors and community members!

Not pictured are:
George Boulden III Perseverance Scholarship recipients: Seth Dossa, James Garvin, Carmen Klapheke, Nick Walden, and Ava Wamsley

Gordon and Kelley Henderson Endowed Scholarship recipients: Loren Little and Colin Selch

Frances Tinsley Smith and E. Vernon Smith Band Scholarship recipients: Elliot Bratten, Keyona Collins, James Garvin, Titus Gustafson, Ashton Hunter, Wesley Klein, Maddy Myers, Juanes Ramirez, Melanie Ridley, Silas Session, Junior Snow, Kyla Stevens, Drason Swihart, James Wang, and Lacey Webber.

We have so many amazing students with so many different majors involved in our band program! Come along to see how some of them spend their day before a concert!

(This was captured before the February 23 Synergy Concert)

Join us for an exciting conclusion to our weekend of music! Corfu Festival April 26 at 3:00, and Imagine April 26 at 7:30. Livestream links can be found in the linktree in our bio!

We warmly invite you to join us for a very special occasion — the University of Kentucky School of Music Celebration Weekend, Friday, April 24 and Sunday, April 26. This two-day celebration brings together the exceptional talent of our students, the generosity of our community, and the power of music to inspire and unite.
We hope you will join us for all or part of the weekend's festivities!
Tickets to the Wind Symphony Concert, CORFU FESTIVAL: https://finearts.uky.edu/music/events/uk-wind-symphony-corfu-festival
Tickets to the Symphony Band and Concert Band concert, IMAGINE: https://finearts.uky.edu/music/events/uk-symphony-band-uk-concert-band-concert-imagine

Its One Day For UK!
Please consider suporting the College of Fine Arts, more details can be found at the UK Philanthropy Page!