Bands at St. Ambrose
From Pep Band to Symphonic Band, St. Ambrose has a musical ensemble for every musician - even beginners. Learn about earning a band scholarship, finding community, and increasing your skills. All at St. Ambrose.
Symphonic Band
Established in 1896, the Symphonic Band performs the finest music representing a variety of styles, genres, and time periods. The Symphonic Band regularly tours internationally, including a trip planned for 2026.
The band also engages in regular communication with living composers via guest residencies, video teleconferencing, and commissions—most notably, the world premiere of Andrew Boysen’s Grant Them Eternal Rest, Giovanni Santos’ Reunion, and the upcoming premiere of Joseph Sowa’s Phoenix.
Students receive an automatic and renewable $1500 award for participation. Additional talent-based awards are available with an audition.
Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble specializes in presenting jazz from all eras in addition to Latin, funk, fusion, blues, and rock. The band regularly performs off-campus and at local and regional venues.
Additionally, we have separate jazz combos that meet based on student interest and availability.
Athletic Bands
Marching Band
The Marching Band is a corps-style marching ensemble and performs at all home football games in the fall semester, featuring a tailgate performance, pre-game, and halftime show as well as parades and marching exhibitions. The band includes brass, woodwinds, marching battery, front ensemble, and color guard with professional staff in every section to help them meet their goals. Students receive a $2500 automatic, renewable award for participation in the Marching Band.
Express interest
Pep Band
The band plays pop music as the main musical feature of Men’s and Women’s basketball and volleyball games. We also take pride in community engagement, playing at local pro sports games and highlighting as the featured National Anthem performance ensemble throughout the Quad Cities (e.g., Quad City Steamwheelers arena football and Quad City Storm hockey). Pep band is only available for students that have enrolled in marching band.
Request details
Piano at St. Ambrose
Prepare for your career as a professional musician or enhance your skills to play for your own enjoyment! In addition to weekly lessons, piano students also attend piano seminars where they play on a regular basis and learn about technique, stage presence, practice methods, audition/jury/competition preparation, and essential concepts of piano pedagogy and literature. Beginner Group Piano classes are also available for complete beginners who always wanted to learn how to play the piano.
Express interest
At St. Ambrose, I found my home away from home in the Music Department. My professors genuinely cared about me as an individual and took the time to make sure I had everything I needed to succeed - both in the classroom and out of the classroom. They provided me with a wide variety of hands-on learning opportunities from leading rehearsals to managing a classroom to helping organize honor band events and more.
Sarrah Hammond '20
Music scholarships
We offer a variety of music scholarships for first year, returning, and adult students.
Learn about our music scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t own an instrument, does the school have one I can use?
Absolutely! The school owns many instruments that you can use at no charge when you play with one of our ensembles. Please contact the director(s) of the ensembles you wish to join and let them know what instrument you need.
Are there any fees for participating (e.g., uniforms, equipment, uniform cleaning)?
There are no fees associated with marching band or pep band! All of this is provided to you at no charge. There are fees associated with the WGI ensembles to offset the cost of travel and competition. Email the director for more details.
Is there a band camp before classes start?
Yes! Marching Band students move in a little over a week before classes start. The band camp consists of rehearsals, leadership training, and social activities. There is no additional cost for moving in early for band camp and all meals and housing are covered.
Is the Marching/Pep Band separate from Symphonic Band?
Yes! All of our ensembles are separate entities that meet year-round (as in there is not a single band that starts as a marching band in the fall and then converts to a concert ensemble after football season). While you do not have to be in one ensemble to be in another, nearly 85% of our students are in at least two instrumental ensembles and easily make it work with their rigorous academic schedules!
I am at 18 credit hours and cannot join marching band without paying the overload fee. May I still participate?
Absolutely! Contact the ensemble director for more information on registering for 0 credits.
Do you have private Improvisation Lessons?
Yes! These are similar to our traditional private lessons, however, the focus is on improvisation. All you need to do is register for MUS 203-Z.
I have a course conflict with part of a rehearsal. Can I still join?
While we have done our best to avoid scheduling conflicts, unavoidable conflicts are handled on a case-by-case basis. The best thing to do is contact the ensemble director as soon as you are aware of the conflict.
Do you have lockers so I don’t have to keep my instrument in my dorm room?
Yes! These are available at no charge.
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