Student Ensembles
OVERVIEW
The primary focus of Performance Music at The 91Â鶹ÊÓƵ is upon our student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no major in music at The 91Â鶹ÊÓƵ, and all enrolled 91Â鶹ÊÓƵ students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible for membership in the University Bands, University Performance Choirs, University String Orchestra & Ensembles, and Steel Drum Ensemble. Neither an audition nor enrollment fee is required for membership. A number of members of the faculty and staff, as well as alumni from the region, also perform with the groups. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year.
Large ensembles include Concert/Symphonic Band, Concert Choir/Singers, String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble (big band format), and Steel Drum Ensemble. Smaller groups are made up of members from within the large ensembles, and vary by semester, including groups such as String Quartet, Flute Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Low Brass Sextet, Trumpet Choir, Clarinet Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, and small vocal groups in various formats. Solo, duo, trio, and quartet performance opportunities are available to members of the ensembles through the semesterly General Recitals.
Other programs within the department - such as our Guest Artist Series concert programming, World Premiere Composition Series, The Nelhybel Collection, and 91Â鶹ÊÓƵ Brass Orchestra - closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with a variety of world class musicians and artist-teachers.
High school juniors and seniors considering application to 91Â鶹ÊÓƵ for future years are encouraged to contact Performance Music to arrange to sit in on a rehearsal, meet the staff, attend a concert or masterclass/clinic, or tour the building.
HERE'S SOME REPERTOIRE THE LARGE ENSEMBLES ARE PREPARING FOR PERFORMANCES IN FALL 2025!
SYMPHONIC BAND: "Caucasian Passacaglia" (V. Nelhybel), "Concert Processional" (J. Turrin), "A Hymn for the Lost and the Living" (E. Ewazen), "Invicta" (J. Swearingen), "Pacem" (R. Spittal), "Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo" (M. Arnold), "Puszta" (J. Van der Roost), "Rest" (F. Ticheli), "Songs of Praise" (V. Nelhybel), "When Jesus Wept" (W. Schuman)
CONCERT CHOIR: "Adoramus te, Christe" (G. Palestrina), "All Through the Night (Ar Hyd y Nos)" (arr. K. Jenkins), "And Suddenly" (M. Engelhardt), "Angels We Have Heard on High" (arr. D. Forrest), "Ave Maria" (J.S. Bach, arr. Rev. S. Hanes), "Cantate" (N. Goemanne), "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" (arr. V. Nelhybel), "Jesu Carols" (S. Paulus), "Jesus, What A Wonderful Child" (arr. R. Dilworth), "The Oxen" (M. Sirett), "Rockin' Jerusalem" (A. J. Thomas)
STRING ORCHESTRA: "Autumn" from The Seasons (A. Vivaldi, arr. H. A. Alshin), "The Best of the Ballet" (arr. C. L. Gruselle), Carmen "Suite from the Opera" (G. Bizet, arr. C. McAlister), "Divertimento for Strings" (V. Nelhybel), "El Gato Tango" (J. S. Bishop), "English Folk Song Suite" (R. Vaughan Williams, arr. S. Bulla), "Night On Bald Mountain" (M. Mussorgsky, arr. E. Segnitz)," "Nimrod" (E. Elgar, arr. M. Bender), "Two Scenes from the Hollow" (K. Mosier)