Ensemble Director: Dr. William Lake, Jr.
The Mason Bands are comprised of two large ensembles, the Mason Symphonic Band and the Mason Wind Symphony, that provide opportunities for students to study, meaningfully engage, and perform historical and contemporary repertoire for winds, brass, and percussion.
Under the direction of Dr. William L. Lake, Jr., Director of Bands, the Mason Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band are committed to embracing social impact as artists with a message to inspire our diverse music ecosystem. This mission is personified through creative programming, collaborations with living composers, and a desire to explore contemporary ideals of performance practice.
The Mason Bands provide opportunities for music education and performance majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels to experience the professional and educational performance environment leading to careers as facilitators of secondary school band programs and members of other performance organizations.
Auditions for the Mason Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band occur at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Find more information about Seating Placement audition repertoire and registration.
For any questions, please contact Dr. William L. Lake, Jr., Director of Concert Bands.
The Mason Wind Symphony
The Mason Wind Symphony is a select concert band of fifty performers majoring in music at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music. Membership in this ensemble is highly competitive and comprised mostly of students who have achieved many musical honors at solo, regional, and national levels, including membership in all-state bands, as well as professional performing credentials in top military bands. Repertoire for this ensemble includes historical and contemporary works for large and chamber ensembles. The Mason Wind Symphony has performed by invitation at international, national, and regional conferences.
The Mason Symphonic Band
Conducted by Dr. William L. Lake, Jr., the Mason Symphonic band provides a challenging musical environment for skilled music and non-music majors chosen by audition. Repertoire for the Symphonic Band includes works written for chamber winds, cornerstones of the wind band tradition, and new works for the medium.
MM Instrumental Conducting, 2017
LaToya A. Webb serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in Conducting and Assistant Director of the Longhorn Band at The University of Texas at Austin. She teaches courses in instrumental conducting, wind band literature, and directs the Longhorn Band (marching and concert) and Longhorn Pep Band. Before joining the UT faculty, Dr. Webb served as an instructor of wind conducting at Auburn and Grambling State universities.