David Bertman
Director of Bands
dbertman@uh.edu
(713)743-3183
Welcome to the University of Houston Bands and the Spirit of Houston, the largest spirit organization on the University of Houston campus! UH Bands offer an artistic environment in which to learn, grow and make life-long friends and colleagues. No matter your level of interest or major, THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU IN THE UH BANDS! #GOCOOGS!
Band ensembles at the Moores School of Music include the Spirit of Houston Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Cougar Brass. Membership in all ensembles is open to all UH students. The band department has financial aid grants available to qualified members, regardless of major.
The Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band is made up of 270 auditioned members dedicated to promoting the spirit of the University of Houston through its musical performance and support of the Cougar Football team. Membership is open to all university students by audition . Scholarships and other avenues of financial assistance are available through the Spirit of Houston band program to all students, regardless of major.
Our band program's pride is based on the tradition and history of the University of Houston and is displayed at UH athletic games in Houston and away, as well as other events, including its Spirit of Houston Indoor Concert. The Spirit of Houston has been featured in other performances and events , including numerous bowl games and parades, the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show produced by MTV, multiple performances for the Rotary Lombardi Awards and the 100th Anniversary Birthday Celebration Concert with the Houston Symphony . Recently, the Spirit of Houston collaborated with Houston-area high schools and Allison Orr of Forklift Danceworks to perform "Afoot – A Marching Band Extravaganza " in Houston’s historic East End district and appeared on CBS Sunday Morning News in their segment documenting the rise of music superstar and former Spirit of Houston Member, Lizzo .
With the generosity of the Student Fees Advisory Committee and other funding resources , we issue instruments to specific sections of the marching band . The number of available instruments grows each year. We provide the following instruments with no rental fee involved:
The university's premier concert band is Wind Ensemble, conducted by David Bertman. This 56-member ensemble has performed at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles international conference, Texas Music Educators Association conference, College Band Directors National Association conference, Meyerson Symphony Hall Series in Dallas and throughout the Houston metropolitan area. The Wind Ensemble can also be heard on multiple professional recordings conducted by Eddie Green, Tom Bennett and David Bertman.
The university's second concert ensemble is Symphonic Winds, conducted by Dana Pradervand. Symphonic Winds is dedicated to performing the highest level of literature possible and performs concerts throughout the year. The Symphonic Winds meets in the fall and the spring semesters.
The university’s third concert ensemble is Symphonic Band, conducted by Cameron Kubos. The Symphonic Band performs traditional band masterworks alongside modern compositions. The band's goal is to introduce students to new music and offer music education students the opportunity to work with their peers. The Symphonic Band meets during the fall and spring semesters.
One of the premier bands of its kind in the United States, Cougar Brass is the university's musical ambassador for indoor sports, including basketball and volleyball. This band performs at every men’s and women's basketball home game at Hofheinz Pavilion and dozens of UH events annually. Membership in Cougar Brass is by audition. The band performs a variety of pop and traditional music and travels annually for the AAC conference and NCAA basketball tournaments.
Cameron Kubos
Director of Athletic Bands and Spirit Groups
email: ckkubos@uh.edu
phone: 713 - 743 - 3190
New brass and woodwinds players who are not music majors must submit a recorded video audition to join the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band. Incoming music majors who have successfully auditioned in the Moores School of Music are accepted based on that audition and DO NOT need to submit a video recording. Returning members do not need to submit an audition video. More information can be found here.
Percussion auditions for the UH Drumline can be found here.
The Moores School of Music percussion division provides an intensive and comprehensive program of study built on a total percussion perspective. We boast one of the finest and most extensive collections of percussion instruments in the country.
The Moores School of Music winds division is served by nationally and internationally recognized faculty and provides a total musical learning environment through progressive curricula designed to support musical career aspirations in performance, education and the arts.
“Deciding to attend the Moores School of Music for my music education degree is easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. The combination of the UH Band’s rich history with professors who provide their students with a holistic education makes this a special place to be. The entire band department is committed to finding learning opportunities for their students within the Moores School of Music and in the greater Houston area so that we leave here with the tools and knowledge needed to teach and inspire the next generation of bands! Go, Coogs!” Madeline Gregory (‘19) Assistant Band Director, Oak Ridge High School, Conroe, TX
Audition
Performances
Giving