Concert Bands
Tradition, Excellence, and Opportunity
UT’s concert bands offer students the opportunity to perform challenging repertoire, develop their musicianship, and be part of a strong tradition of ensemble excellence.
The UT Wind Ensemble
Excellence at the Highest Level
The Wind Ensemble is the premier concert band at the University of Tennessee, bringing together many of the college’s most accomplished wind and percussion students. Dedicated to musical excellence, the ensemble performs a broad range of repertoire spanning from the 16th century to contemporary works.
Using a flexible player pool model, the Wind Ensemble performs music ranging from intimate chamber works requiring only a handful of musicians to large-scale pieces for full ensemble. This approach gives students the opportunity to take on a variety of musical roles, challenges, and performance experiences throughout the year.
Rehearses Tuesday and Thursday, 2:25-4:10 p.m.
Meet the Ensemble Director
John Zastoupil assumed the role of Director of Bands and tenured Associate Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2022. His primary responsibilities at UT include conducting the critically acclaimed University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble, teaching graduate courses in wind studies, guiding the wind conducting program, and providing the administrative leadership for all aspects of the University of Tennessee’s diverse and historic band program.
An advocate of music education and advancing the wind repertoire, Dr. Zastoupil has collaborated with composers such as James Stephenson, Kevin Day, Michael Daugherty, William Bolcolm, Augusta Read-Thomas, Stephen Gryc, Gunther Schuller, Scott McAllister, Paul Dooley, Scott Boerma and others.
Under the leadership of Zastoupil, the UT Wind Ensemble has been recognized nationally and received invitations to prestigious performances, such as being invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) National Conference in Spring 2025. This was the first time in the UT Band Program’s 155-year history.
The UT Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is a select 60-piece ensemble known for its rich sonority and strong tradition of performance. The ensemble performs significant works from the wind band repertoire, with a focus on music from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Through a wide range of literature and performance opportunities, students develop strong ensemble skills while exploring the depth, power, and artistry of the concert band tradition.
Rehearses Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12:40-1:30 p.m.
Meet the Ensemble Director
Fuller Lyon serves as Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at the University of Tennessee, where he works with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, Basketball Pep Band, and UT Symphonic Band while also teaching in the Music Education area.
Before returning to his alma mater, Lyon served as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Missouri, where he worked with Marching Mizzou, conducted concert ensembles, taught undergraduate courses, and coordinated major band events. He earned his DMA and master’s degrees in wind conducting from Louisiana State University and his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Tennessee. A former Pride Drum Major himself, Lyon previously spent seven years on staff with the UT band program and has also worked as a drill designer and brass staff member for collegiate marching bands and drum corps across the country.
Concert Band
Music for Every Major
The Concert Band is a select 60-piece ensemble that brings together both music majors and non-majors from across campus. The ensemble performs a mix of standard wind repertoire and newer works, providing students with an opportunity to continue making music in a collaborative and welcoming environment.
Whether students are pursuing music professionally or simply want to stay involved in ensemble performance, Concert Band offers a meaningful way to perform, grow, and be part of the UT music community.
Rehearses Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12:40-1:30 p.m.
Meet the Ensemble Director
Michael Stewart is Associate Professor of Music, Associate Director of Wind Studies, and Director of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band at the University of Tennessee. In addition to leading Pride, he oversees the UT Basketball Pep Bands, conducts the Concert Band, and teaches undergraduate courses in Music Education.
Stewart earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from The Ohio State University. Before coming to UT, he taught students in grades 5-12 in the Delaware City School District in Ohio and later served as Graduate Assistant Director with The Ohio State University Marching Band. He remains active nationally as a clinician, adjudicator, drill writer, and guest conductor.
University Band
The University Band is open to students from across campus who want to continue performing without the commitment of a select auditioned ensemble. Designed for music majors and non-majors alike, the ensemble provides a welcoming and flexible environment for students to continue playing, build friendships, and be part of the concert band experience at UT.
University Band performs a variety of wind band repertoire and offers students the opportunity to stay connected to music while balancing academic, extracurricular, and personal commitments. The University Band is conducted by UT Bands graduate students.
Spring semester only.
