The Industrial University of Santander (UIS) celebrates the rebirth of its Institutional Symphonic Band, an artistic group with a long university tradition that is now taking on a new lease of life thanks to the commitment of the School of Music and Arts and the Cultural Directorate. This project, approved by the Higher Council, joins other emblematic cultural initiatives such as the UIS Choir, UIS Theater, and UIS Dance, among others, consolidating itself as a space for artistic training of excellence and national projection.
Professor Guillermo Gordillo Galán, a faculty member at the School of Music Arts, highlighted the collective effort that made this process possible: “After several conversations with the faculty of the Bachelor of Music program, we made the decision to reactivate the Symphonic Band, taking advantage of the installed capacity and talent of the students in our program. We worked on this project hand in hand with the Cultural Directorate of the UIS,” he said.
Pre-registration and auditions opened in August, attracting a massive turnout of 87 students. After a rigorous selection process, 43 members were chosen to form the group, accompanied by 11 professional teachers and UIS graduates, who strengthen the technical and artistic level of the band.
Instrumental and academic diversity
The UIS Symphonic Band brings together all the instrumental families typical of a band format: flutes, oboes, bassoons, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums, tubas, double basses, and percussion. “The band is an open and inclusive space that represents the entire UIS community. We have students from different majors, graduates, and teachers, which allows us to consolidate a collective project with great cultural richness,” said Professor Gordillo.
Training, benefits, and student commitment
Being part of the group means more than just artistic and professional growth. Student members receive benefits such as tuition discounts, access to university dining halls, and academic credits, recognition that supports their dedication and discipline. The band rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at scheduled times to ensure the active participation of all its members. “Many of our students come from municipal symphonic bands, and today they find a space at UIS to continue developing their talents. The Symphonic Band is, without a doubt, a project that will continue to grow and offer concerts of high technical and artistic quality,” said the professor at the School of Music Arts.
First concerts
The group is currently working on the initial arrangements that will lead to its first official concerts in the coming days, with which the UIS reaffirms its commitment to being an epicenter of culture, inclusion, and academic excellence.
