Orchestras

The West Virginia University Wind Symphony is the premiere performing ensemble of the WVU Bands program. Comprised of fifty of the finest wind and percussion students at West Virginia University, the ensemble performs literature of the highest caliber, and presents six concerts annually at local, regional, and national venues. The ensemble is committed to performing a varied repertoire of standard band compositions combined with contemporary new works for wind ensemble. Throughout its history, the WVU Wind Symphony has performed for conventions of the American Bandmasters Association and of the College Band Directors National Association. Recent performances have included concerts in historic venues such as Symphony Hall in Chicago and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Recent guests with the ensemble have included composers Aaron Perrine and Kevin Day, in addition to guest conductors Colonel Don Schofield of the United States Air Force Band and Captain Adam Williamson of the United States Coast Guard Band.

In addition to the Wind Symphony, five additional ensembles compromise the WVU Bands program. The Symphonic Band, two Concert Bands, “The Pride of West Virginia” Mountaineer Marching Band, and the Basketball Pep Band serve approximately four hundred student musicians at West Virginia University. The overall program is designed to provide professional training for music majors within the School of Music while also serving as a performance outlet for wind and percussion players throughout the university community, regardless of major. The Mountaineer Marching Band has appeared in both the 2024 and 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and was awarded the Sudler Trophy by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 1997.

Located in Morgantown, West Virginia University is the flagship land-grant institution of the state. Over 23,000 students pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees in over 300 academic majors.

Dr. Scott C. Tobias currently holds the position of Director of Bands and Professor of Music at West Virginia University where his responsibilities include conducting the WVU Wind Symphony, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, and providing administrative leadership for the WVU Bands program. Prior to his appointment at West Virginia University, Dr. Tobias served as Director of Bands at the University of Central Florida and as Associate Director of Bands at Appalachian State University.

He also previously served as a high school band director in the public schools of Georgia and South Carolina. Additionally, Dr. Tobias has served as director of several community music organizations including the Youth Band of Orlando, the Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Appalachian Youth Wind Ensemble. Bands under Dr. Tobias’ direction have performed nationally and internationally at events such as the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference, the New York Wind Band Festival in Carnegie Hall, the Western International Band Clinic, the Cabalgata de Reyes (Madrid, Spain), the London New Year’s Day Parade, and the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival. Dr. Tobias remains active as a guest conductor and clinician working with collegiate honor bands, all-state bands, and district honor bands throughout the United States. Additionally, he has presented sessions at numerous state music educator conferences as well as the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Dr. Tobias has been recognized with election to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and was named West Virginia Bandmaster of the Year by Phi Beta Mu. He is also a recipient of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the Hayes School of Music Outstanding Teacher Award. Dr. Tobias is a Past President of the National Band Association and a Past President of the Big 12 Band Directors Association. He currently serves as Executive Secretary of the National Band Association. Additional professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, West Virginia Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. A native of South Carolina, Dr. Tobias earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Furman University, the Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Georgia.

Ivo Kahánek is one of the most promising Czech pianists of his generation, thanks to his powerful, profound and particularly expressive style. He is also considered one of the finest interpreters of the Romantic repertoire, particularly works by Czech composers. Winner of various international competitions (Prague Spring, Concurs Internacional de Música Maria Canals Barcelona, Vendôme Prize Wien, Frédéric Chopin Competition in Marienbad), Ivo Kahánek has already performed with major orchestras

(BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek, Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Wiener Symphoniker, WDR Sinfonieorchester, Zürcher Kammerorchester). He also enjoys chamber music and has performed with violinist Daniel Hope, cellist Alissa Weilerstein and violist Paul Neubauer, as well as with the Tetzlaff and Pavel Haas quartets. Ivo Kahánek teaches at the Prague Academy of Music and has recorded thirteen CDs with Supraton Music, featuring works by Chopin, Dvořák, Francaix, Ibert, Janáček, Klein and Martinů.