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Wind Ensemble

About the Wind Ensemble

The Miami University Wind Ensemble has won praise from many composers for performances or their music, including Michael Colgrass, John Harbison, Gunther Schuller, Karel Husa, Leslie Bassett, Verne Reynolds, Daron Aric Hagen and Aldolphus Hailstork. The ensemble has performed for the College Band Directors National Association in 1994, 1998, 2006, and at the national conference in 1999; for the Ohio Music Education Association in 1990, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2010; at the inaugural Atlanta International Band and Orchestra Conference in 1996; and at the MENC North Central Division/Michigan Instrumental Music conference in 2005.

A unique guest conductor residency program has allowed the ensemble to work with some of the finest conductors in the world, including Frederick Fennell, H. Robert Reynolds, Eugene Corporon, Richard Floyd, Michael Haithcock, Jerry Junkin and Robert Ponto. Commitment to new music is also a vital part of the ensemble's mission, having joined commissioning consortia for works by John Harbison, Lukas Foss, Joan Tower, Joseph Schwantner, Michael Torke, Richard Danielpour, Daron Eric Hagen, and Chen Yi, among many others.

Fall 2025 Instrumental Ensemble Auditions

Brass and Woodwind Auditions

Woodwind and brass players wishing to perform in the Wind Ensemble or Symphony Orchestra take one audition to be considered for either or both ensembles. First, be sure to fill out the Fall 2025 Ensemble Audition Form! Next, access the Brass and Woodwind Audition Excerpts. We will utilize video auditions for the Fall 2025 semester, so check the folder for a file named “Audition Instructions – Fall 2025,” and reach out with any questions. Video submissions are due to Daniel Farr, DMA, and Ricardo Averbach, DMA, no later than Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.

Access Brass and Woodwind Information and Excerpts

Only woodwind and brass players will complete this audition process. Percussion players should contact Mr. Michael LaMattina at: lamattm@MiamiOH.edu

Questions? Contact us!

If you have an unavoidable conflict during the specified audition date or time for your instrument, please contact the conductors to setup a different audition time. We are available to answer any questions you may have!

Ricardo Averbach, DMA, Director of Orchestral Studies (MUSO): averbach@MiamiOH.edu

Ryan Yahl, DM, Visiting Associate Director of Bands (Symphony Band): yahlr@MiamiOH.edu

Daniel Farr, DMA, Director of Bands (MUWE): farrd@MiamiOH.edu

About the Director

Daniel FarrDaniel Farr, DMA, studied conducting with Russel Mikkelson, Patrick Dunnigan, Richard Clary, and Alex Jimenez, and clarinet with Deborah Bish. He served as a high school band director in the public schools of Florida for 10 years before pursuing his doctorate. Under his direction, ensembles have consistently earned Superior ratings at the Marching Music Performance Assessment, District and State Solo and Ensemble, and District and State Concert MPA.

Research interests for Farr include commissioning new music for the wind band medium, pioneering performances of music by underrepresented composers, best practices for middle and high school bands, and mental health awareness for music educators. He is actively sought after as a concert clinician and clarinet pedagogue. His professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, the College Band Directors National Association, the Ohio Music Educators Association, the Florida Music Educators Association, and NAfME: the National Association for Music Education.

Department of Music

The Miami University Department of Music encourages its students to develop their relationship to the discipline of music as they explore the world through the lens of a superb liberal arts education.