BYU has a broad array of bands and ensembles. Most of these are part of the programs of the School of Music in the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications, primarily either in the Department of Bands or the Jazz Studies Department.
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The first band at what was then Brigham Young Academy was organized in about 1900 by Albert Miller (birth name Ernest Ludwig Adelbert Muller, lived 1875-1906) a German Mormon who was recruited to be on the music faculty at BYA by Anthony C. Lund in 1901. In 1901 Miller recruited as his assistant Robert Sauer, who he had known in Dresden, Germany before immigrants.
In 1906, after Miller died, Robert Sauer (1873-1944) a German convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, became the director of the BYU band. Sauer remained the band director until 1942. At the end of Sauer's time as band director BYU had one band that had 35 instruments.
John R. Halliday then became the band director in 1942. During his eight-year tenure BYU's band department expanded to 3 bands with 225 people playing instruments. Halliday would remain with BYU, with the exception of two years he did post-doctoral studies at the University of Southern California until his retirement in 1976 (when he became president of the Italy Milan Mission) but would spend most of the next 25 years as a director of choirs.[1]
In 1950 Norman Hunt became the director of BYU bands. In 1953 Ralph G. Laycock became the director of BYU bands.
The BYU Wind Symphony has 45-members. Over the years it has performed in many locations across the United States and at least six other countries.
BYU has the Symphonic Band that performs much less than the Wind Symphony. There is also the University Band which is a non-audition band.
The BYU Cougar Marching Band was organized in 1950 with Richard A. Ballou as its first director. Robert Sauer had organized a marching band in 1908, but it was not a permannent distinct band until Ballou organized it as such in 1950.
Today the Marching Band is a 225-member band. It is also known as the "Power of the Wasatch".
BYU has two pep bands that perform at both men's and women's basketball games.
BYU has a large array of Jazz ensembles. Three of these perform music in the Big Band tradition. The premier band in this group is Synthesis which was founded by K. Newell Dayley and is currently directed by Ray Smith. Synthesis has performed at several Jazz festivals in many locations in the US as well as in some other countries. The Jazz Ensemble functions as the training group for Synthesis and is currently directed by Mark Ammons. Their performance schedule is less expansive than Synthesis', primarily performing in Provo and its immediate vicinity when performing beyond BYU Campus. There is also the Jazz Lab Band, which performs twice a year on campus.
Smaller groups in different styles include Q'd Up the Faculty Jazz quintet that as of 2011 consisted of Ray Smith, Steve Lindeman, Matt Larson, Jay Lawrence and Ron Brough. There is also the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band which has performed across the US, the Salsa Combo and then 5 other groups that perform in "casual" format. The salsa and other five combos are all directed by Jay Lawrence.
There are also three Jazz vocal groups. Jazz Voices, Vocal Point and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
BYU has three other faculty ensembles. Orpheus Winds, Brassworks and the American Piano Quartet.
Other student ensembles include the Clarinet Choir, the Flute Choir, the Trombone Choir, The Brass Chamber Music group, the String Chamber Music Group and the Woodwind Chamber Music Group. There is also a collection of folk music ensembles, some of which work with the BYU International Folk Dancers.[2]
Besides performing in the many of the bans listed above BYU's percusion section also has a percussion ensamble.