WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
WIND BANDS
The West Chester University Bands proudly sponsor six different performing ensembles that involve more than 400 students. Opportunities for majors and non-majors are available in all of our concert and athletic bands. Our mission is dedicated to the cultivation and performance of the highest quality music while continuing the proud tradition of excellence that has been the hallmark of the bands at West Chester University.
The West Chester University Bands have been invited to perform at numerous conferences, parades, athletic events and exhibitions. The Bands embrace their role as musical ambassadors in the university and are a vital part of the university and civic artistic communities.
MEET THE FACULTY
Andrew Yozviak
Director of Bands
Hannah Morrison
Associate Director of Bands
Adam Gumble
Director of Athletic Bands
ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Wind Conducting Symposium, July 13-17, 2026
The West Chester University Summer Wind Conducting Symposium is designed to provide musicians the opportunity to sharpen conducting skills, strengthen score study techniques, broaden knowledge of wind literature and refine rehearsal strategies. Conductors may participate in the symposium in one of two different levels. Conducting participants will conduct chamber ensembles during the morning sessions and a full wind ensemble in the afternoon. Participation at this level will be limited to the first sixteen applicants with paid deposits. Observers will be engaged in all of the daily activities but will not conduct the ensembles.
Learn more about the Summer Wind Conducting Symposium and this year's guest clinicians.
2026 GUEST CLINICIANS
Shanti Simon is director of bands at the University of Colorado Boulder where she oversees the band program, conducts the CU Boulder Wind Symphony, leads the graduate wind conducting program and teaches undergraduate conducting. In addition to her role at CU Boulder, she serves as associate conductor of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
Prior to joining the CU Boulder faculty, Simon was director of bands at the University of Oklahoma. Before that, she served as flight commander and associate conductor with the United States Air Force Academy Band in Colorado Springs and the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. where she conducted performances across the country and around the world. She was on the faculty of Shenandoah Conservatory as associate director of bands for the 2013-14 academic year.
In 2016, Simon deployed to the Middle East with the United States Air Forces Central Band as officer in charge–overseeing musical troop support, community outreach and partnership-building missions in seven countries.
Simon earned MM and DMA degrees in conducting from the University of Minnesota where she studied with Craig Kirchhoff; she earned BME and BM degrees from Stetson University with Bobby Adams. Hailing from Florida, she served as associate director of bands at Vero Beach High School for four years during which her ensembles consistently earned top ratings in all areas of district and state assessment.
Simon is active as a guest conductor and clinician both nationally and internationally, serves as a major in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and is a voting member of the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs. She lives in Golden with her husband Jebodiah Eaton, and their children Grace and Bodhi.
Shanti Simon
J. Eric Wilson, Professor of Ensembles and Conducting, has been Director of Bands at Baylor University since 2006. He provides administrative leadership for all aspects of the band program, conducts the Wind Ensemble, and teaches and oversees undergraduate and graduate conducting curricula. Dr. Wilson is Past-President of the Big 12 Band Directors Association and current President of the College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Division. He was recently elected into the American Bandmasters Association and honored as Outstanding Professor for Tenured Teaching by Baylor University in 2014. Dr. Wilson is in high demand as conducting clinician and adjudicator. He has directed numerous honor bands and conducted his own groups at TMEA, CBDNA, and The Midwest Clinic conventions. Prior to joining the Baylor faculty, he served twelve years on the faculty of Abilene Christian University. Dr. Wilson holds the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from ACU. Prior to his university appointments, Dr. Wilson taught in the Texas public school system.
J. Eric Wilson
Philadelphia Wind Band Festival, February 11, 2027
The West Chester University Wind Bands are honored to host the Philadelphia Wind Band Festival as part of Music for All’s Affiliate Regional Music Festival initiative. The Philadelphia Wind Band Festival is modeled after the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. The festival’s non-competitive atmosphere seeks to provide opportunities for musical growth through performance among exceptional peer groups, student masterclasses and workshops, and informative feedback from nationally recognized clinicians. It is our aim to bring the Music For All National Concert Band Festival's student and director experiences to our region.
The Philadelphia Wind Band Festival offers participants:
- 30-minute performance block
- Post-performance clinic with a member of our panel of nationally recognized clinician-educators
- Recorded comments and written evaluations from the adjudication panel
- Conductor’s performance video and written and taped feedback (if interested)
- Student Leadership Clinic with West Chester University faculty
- Exhibition performances by West Chester University ensembles and Liberty Wind Symphony
2027 FESTIVAL CLINICIANS
List will be updated soon.
PERFORMANCE VENUES
High School Ensembles will perform in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre. Middle School Bands will perform in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. Photos & specifications for each facility can be found online through the WCU Venue Management website.
APPLICATION TO PERFORM
Applications for the 2027 Philadelphia Wind Band Festival are now being accepted. The application deadline is September 18, 2026. Selected bands will be announced the week of September 28, 2026.
WCU – National Band Association Wind Band Symposium, January 30 and January 31, 2026
The National Band Association and West Chester University will host its annual Wind Band Symposium on January 30 and January 31, 2026. West Chester University's Andrew Yozviak, Hannah Morrison, and Adam Gumble will be joined by guest clinician Julia Baumanis, Assistant Director of Bands at Rutgers University.
Students will work with these clinicians in a full ensemble setting that focusses on refining ensemble skills and in a master classes with Andrew Hitz of Jupiter Band Instruments that focuses on individual musicianship. Additionally, directors will participate in a series of sessions designed to address important themes in conducting, music education, and the administration of high school instrumental ensembles. All sessions will be streamed in cooperation with JW Pepper.
WCU BAND ENSEMBLES
