BANDS
Discover a vibrant community of ensembles open to all University of Houston students. Whether you’re marching with the Spirit of Houston or performing in our concert bands and pep band, there’s a place for you to grow, perform, and connect.
The Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band is made up of 280 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.
The university’s premier concert band is the Wind Ensemble, conducted by David Bertman. This ensemble has performed at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles international conference, Texas Music Educators Association conferences, College Band Directors National Association conferences, 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 Wind Ensemble meets during the fall and spring semesters.
The university’s second concert ensemble is the Symphonic Winds, conducted by Cameron Kubos. Symphonic Winds is dedicated to performing the highest level of literature possible and performs concerts throughout the year. The Symphonic Winds meet in the fall and the spring semesters.
The university’s third concert ensemble is the Symphonic Band, conducted by Sean Phelan. The Symphonic Band performs traditional band masterworks alongside modern compositions. The band’s goal is to introduce students to outstanding music for the genre and especially to provide 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 all men’s and women’s basketball home games at the Fertitta Center and dozens of UH events annually. The band performs a variety of pop and traditional music and travels annually for the conference and NCAA basketball tournaments. Membership in Cougar Brass is by audition.
- David Bertman, Director of Bands
- Cameron Kubos, Director of Athletic Bands & Spirit Groups
- Madeleine Gregory, Visiting Assistant Director of Bands