In this section:
Support the Wind Bands
We greatly appreciate any donations made to the University Band program. For information on Employer Matching Gifts, please contact the University Advancement Office at (805) 756-2713.
General Wind Bands Giving
The purpose of the Wind Orchestras Instructionally Related Activities fund is to facilitate the annual operational expenses of our concert band program, comprised of both the Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The University is able to provide limited funds to support student learning experiences in our large ensembles. The funding provides for some individual student lessons, purchasing sheet music, commissioning new works for wind bands, guest artist fees, and performance expenses (hall rental and staffing) in the Performing Arts Center.
Specific Needs
Additional funding is needed for
- New instruments and supplies (mallets, reeds, mouthpieces, etc.)
- Expenses when performances require special lighting, projection, and effects
- Guest artist travel and accommodations
- Local run-out performances travel (biennial)
- International performance travel (quadrennial)
To support general Wind Bands needs, use the link below.
Travel Support
The unique and invaluable experiences that come with ensemble travel are possible only with support from alumni and other patrons of the arts. In 2023, an in-state performance tour costs about $160 per student per day for bus and accommodation only. For many students at Cal Poly, that price tag can be prohibitive, and we want those amazing experiences to be open to all our musicians!
- Regional travel (biennial)
- International performance travel (quadrennial)
To make an online donation specifically for Wind Band touring, please follow the link below.
William V. Johnson Composition Commission
Iota Pi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary band fraternity, is engaging in a project to commission a a new work for wind band. This is to honor the 44 years of service by Bill "J" Johnson, Cal Poly's Professor Emeritus and Director of Bands from 1966 to 2010.
Johnson is the past president of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) and serves as the President of Opera San Luis Obispo.
As a guest conductor, lecturer and clinician, Johnson has conducted wind ensembles and orchestras in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Korea, Singapore, China, Hungary and Ireland.
Johnson was elected into the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1984 and served as host for the 73rd and 82nd ABA conventions held in San Luis Obispo in 2007 and 2016. Since his retirement in 2010, Johnson has become an arranger, transcriber and composer of music for the wind band as well as wind chamber ensembles. He was selected as one of three Distinguished Teachers at Cal Poly. Recently, he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the California Band Directors Association and received the Distinguished Service to Music Medal from Kappa Kappa Psi.
To make an online donation specifically for the commission fund, please follow the link below.
- William Johnson Composition Commission
- Please include "for William Johnson Composition Commission" in the special request field.
Iota Pi plans to premiere the new work by spring 2026.
