Northeastern State University Band
Welcome to NSU Bands
Thank you for your interest in the band program here at Northeastern State University. Our goal is to create a thriving band program where band members learn and grow as musicians as well as provide enriching performances for our university and community. Whether our members are performing on a field or in a concert hall, our ensembles are striving to create memorable experiences for both audiences and performers.
The NSU band program offers a variety of ensembles for students and community members to participate in, including the RiverHawk Marching Band, Basketball Band, and the Community-University Band. We also have an auditioned Wind Ensemble that explores the broadest range of band repertoire.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premiere concert band in the NSU Band Program. The Wind Ensemble performs standard concert band repertoire as well as new literature by some of the very best composers working today. Membership in the Wind Ensemble is open by audition to any NSU student, regardless of major.
Auditions for the fall semester take place the weekend before classes, and auditions for the spring semester take place in December.
Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 in Fine Arts 128 or the Center for the Performing Arts.
To learn more about the NSU Wind Ensemble and other band opportunities, please contact Dr. Malcolm Burke, NSU Director of Bands, at burke07@nsuok.edu.
For information on upcoming performances, please visit the NSU Campus Calendar or NSU Music on social media.
Click Here for Fall 2026 Audition Materials
Community-University Band
The NSU CommUniversity Band is a non-auditioned wind ensemble open to all NSU students and members of the Tahlequah community, including high school students. Rehearsals are Monday nights from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Fine Arts 128 or the Center for the Performing Arts. The NSU-CUB performs one formal concert each semester and participates in other department events, such as the Opera Gala and Northeastern Noël.
For information about the CommUniversity Band, email Dr. Alexandra Doyle, doyle14@nsuok.edu.
RiverHawk Marching Band
The RiverHawk Marching Band supports RiverHawk athletics by performing stand tunes and halftime shows at home football games. The ensemble also makes frequent appearances at parades in Tahlequah, including the Cherokee National Holiday Parade and Christmas Parade.
Participation in the RiverHawk Marching Band is open to any NSU student, regardless of major. Rehearsals take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 4 to 6 p.m. with performance obligations on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the semester.
To learn more about joining the RiverHawk Marching Band, please contact Dr. Malcolm Burke, NSU Director of Bands at burke07@nsuok.edu.
Click here to become a member of the 2026 RiverHawk Marching Band!
