Ensembles & Instrumentation
Marching Band
MUS268 (1 credit)
Fall Semester only (LaValle Stadium / Track Field)
Directed by Dr. Justin R. Stolarik
Fall Semester only: Mondays 6:30p-8:30p, Thursdays 6:30p-8:30p, and select Fridays 2:00p-4:00p; additionally, all Football Game Days and other announced events are required. Preseason (Band Camp) is required and begins 8 days prior to the start of Fall Semester for all Winds, or 11 days prior to the start of Fall Semester for all Drumline, Color Guard, and Leadership.
Marching Band, also known as the Spirit of Stony Brook, performs at all home Football Games in the Fall Semester, and at various other events on and off campus throughout the year. Most students participate year-round. No audition is required; however, experience playing any of the instruments below, and reading music, is required. Previous marching band experience is not required. There may be part placements for divisi parts. You must complete the Interest Form.
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Drumline (snare, tenors, bass, and cymbals only), Color Guard (flags only), and Feature Twirler (selected annually via competitive audition)Varsity Band
MUS268 (1 credit)
Fall and Spring Semesters (SB Union L03 / SAC Auditorium)
Directed by Dr. Justin R. Stolarik
Fall Semester, upon completion of required Marching Band: Mondays 6:30p-8:30p and Thursdays 6:30p-8:30p; additionally, select night and weekend basketball events, and other announced events, are required.
Spring Semester: Mondays 6:30p-8:30p and Thursdays 6:30p-8:30p; additionally, select night and weekend basketball events, and other announced events, are required.
Varsity Band (Pep Band) is the same personnel as the Marching Band, and performs for all events not related to football, including all home Women's and Men's Basketball (plus post-season tournaments in Washington DC and nationally), and select Volleyball and Soccer games. Additionally, the Varsity Band performs on and off campus at various other events throughout the year. Most students participate year-round. The culminating performance of the year is the Annual Varsity Band Spring Concert every April in Island Federal Arena. No audition is required; however, experience playing any of the instruments below, and reading music, is required. There may be part placements for divisi parts. You must complete the Interest Form.Instrumentation: Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Drumline (snare, tenors, bass, and cymbals only), Drumset, Color Guard (flags and weapons), and Feature Twirler (selected annually via competitive audition)
Wind Ensemble
MUS 263 (1 credit)
Fall and Spring Semesters (Staller/Music 0111)
Conducted by Dr. Justin R. Stolarik
Fall Semester: Wednesday evenings 6:30p-9:20p
Spring Semester: Wednesday evenings 6:30p-9:20p
The Stony Brook Wind Ensemble performs contemporary and traditional wind repertoire of the highest quality, and comprises wind and percussion student musicians from across campus. Members represent undergraduate and graduate music and non-music majors. Many students participate in both the Athletic Bands and the Wind Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble presents one concert at the end of each semester.
All interested musicians can join Wind Ensemble by registering for MUS 263, regardless of major. There is no formal audition; however, an Instrumentation Survey will be distributed via email ahead of the start of each semester to determine part placement and seating. There may be chair placement auditions to determine divisi parts. The first rehearsal is the first Wednesday of classes each semester.
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Battery and Keyboard Percussion, Timpani, String Bass, Piano, and Harp
SBYou Band
Summer (July) (Staller/Music 0111)
Conducted by Dr. Justin R. Stolarik
Summer/July (one week only): Tuesday (6:00p-9:00p), Wednesday (6:00p-9:00p), Thursday (concert at 7:00p)
Summer 2025 dates to be announced.
The SBYou Band will perform contemporary and traditional wind repertoire, and will comprise wind and percussion musicians from across campus (students, faculty, and staff) and beyond (alumni, community members, local and regional music teachers, and students). The SBYou Band is planned to launch in Summer 2025 over the course of one week, including two rehearsals and an outdoor concert on the Staller Steps.
All interested musicians should stayed tuned to this page for developing information in Late Spring 2025. There will be no audition and participation will be open to all.
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Battery and Keyboard Percussion, Timpani, String Bass, Piano, and Harp