Ensembles
Student Ensemble Performance Opportunities
The marching band at MTSU, the Band of Blue, is directed by Associate Director of
Bands, Craig Cornish, and presents original halftime shows at all home football games and selected out-of-town
games. Membership is open to any university student who can display good marching
techniques and a fundamental proficiency on an instrument used in the marching band.
Guard, majorettes, and dance team members are accepted by audition. Two semesters
of marching band may be substituted for two courses of General Studies physical activity
credit, but this substitution does not meet teacher licensure requirements.
Brass Choir is an ensemble that includes trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums and
tubas. Membership is open to any university brass player with instructor approval.
The group meets only in the Spring semester, and rehearses once a week. The ensemble
presents at least one public concert each semester.
The MTSU Clarinet Choir performs a wide variety of original compositions and transcriptions
written for the ensemble's full complement of clarinets: soprano, alto, bass and contra
clarinet. The Choir presents several concerts on campus each year and travels to selected
Tennessee high schools. The Clarinet Choir has also been selected as a featured performing
group at the 2000 Tennessee Music Educators Association Convention in Nashville. Dr.
Todd Waldecker directs the ensemble Clarinet Studio Website
A uniquely fashioned student ensemble designed to explore music of different kinds
that is intended for this austere combination of double reeds and music that is unusual
for this instrumentation. The ensemble consists of oboes, oboe d'amore, English horn,
and bassoons. The students have performed music from the Baroque and Classical periods
written by such greats as Bach and Haydn; light classical works written by composers
from the different style periods; and jazz ballads written by some of the leading
jazz artists in the country. The ensemble is open to all interested double reed players.
The MTSU Flute Choir is an enthusiastic group of flutists that perform a variety of musical styles ranging from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, Popular and Jazz. The MTSU Flute Choir currently consist of sixteen members and showcase all four members of the flute family: piccolo, C flute, alto flute and bass flute.
Performing some of the greatest literature written for this ensemble, the MTSU Guitar
Ensembles give students valuable chamber experience. Students interested in joining
an ensemble should contact Dr. William Yelverton, coordinator of the MTSU Guitar Department.
" Listen to the MTSU Guitar Ensembles"
The MTSU Horn Ensemble is open to all MTSU horn players with the instructor's approval.
The Horn Ensemble rehearses once a week, playing a variety of standard literature
ranging stylistically from the popular "Fripperies" to the more classically oriented
horn literature. Additionally, they rehearse and play standard selections from orchestral
literature, with an emphasis on style and ear training. The Horn Ensemble usually
meets in the early evening when most students are available for rehearsal. The ensemble
performs in recital at least once every semester.
Directed by jazz faculty and graduate jazz teaching assistants, these small ensembles provide students the
opportunity to develop jazz performing skills, master standard literature, strengthen
improvisational ability, and explore original compositions and arrangements. Placement
in combos is by audition and the groups range from beginning to advanced. The combos
perform both on and off campus.
Directed by Jamey Simmons, MTSU Jazz Ensemble I is the top performing large ensemble in the jazz studies program.
It features the most experienced student players and concentrates on cutting-edge
literature and master works from the big band repertoire. The group has recently performed
compositions by Maria Schneider, Jim McNeely, Phil Woods, Bob Mintzer, and many others.
Jazz Ensemble I has toured throughout the region and performed at top collegiate festivals
including the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival. A highlight is the ensemble's annual
performance at the MTSU Jazz Festival where the group performs with an internationally
acclaimed jazz artist. Past guests have included Phil Woods, Rufus Reid, Benny Golson,
Eddie Daniels, Bob Mintzer, Arturo Sandoval, Bobby Shew and Peter Erskine
Real Audio: MTSU Jazz Ensemble I
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The Man from Tanganyika - McCoy Tyner/arr. Jamey Simmons
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The Eternal Triangle - Sonny Stitt/ arr. Clayton
MTSU Jazz Ensemble II
Directed by Don Aliquo, this ensemble provides training and performance experiences in the big band tradition.
They perform throughout the year including a yearly performance at the MTSU Jazz Festival.
The Symphony Orchestra is the premiere orchestral ensemble of the MTSU School of Music. Repertoire is selected from masterpieces of the standard orchestral literature and outstanding contemporary compositions. The Symphony is open to all MTSU students by audition (regardless of major). The Music Director of the Symphony Orchestra is Dr. Carol Nies.
The Chamber Orchestra is composed of the leading members of the Symphony Orchestra. Repertoire is selected from all periods of the Chamber Orchestra literature. The Chamber Orchestra is open to all MTSU students by audition (regardless of major).
The Concert Orchestra offers the opportunity for all MTSU students, faculty and staff
to enjoy participation in an orchestral ensemble. No audition is required to participate
in this group. Repertoire is selected from all periods of orchestral literature. Music
Education and Performance majors may audition to serve as assistant conductors.
The MTSU Percussion Ensemble is a diverse group performing original twentieth century compositions written expressly for percussion instruments as well as classical and jazz arrangements. Over the past years the ensemble has performed regularly at MTSU as well as appearing at various high schools and in Texas in 1998. Future tours include Boston and a joint concert with the University of Massachusetts Percussion Ensemble.
Students in piano ensembles study and perform representative selections drawn from the rich repertory of music written for one piano, four hands; two pianos, four hands; and two pianos, eight hands. Both original compositions and transcriptions from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries are covered in various semesters.
The MTSU Salsa Band is an ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of Afro-Cuban
Salsa music. The group includes a horn section, percussion section, a bass, and a
piano. The percussion section generally includes congas, timbales, bongos, and a drum
set while the horn section includes trumpets, saxophones, and a trombone. The group
is open to students through audition. The members of the group study the style, form,
and history or Afro-Cuban music, and are encouraged to write or arrange tunes in salsa
style. Under the direction of Associate Professor Lalo Davila, the group performs
both on and off campus.
One of this nation's versatile ensembles, the saxophone ensemble is known for performing all styles of music. This group has performed in many different venues such as school concerts, jazz festivals, shopping malls, and student recitals. The ensemble is open to all students at MTSU seeking an opportunity for a challenging and exciting musical experience.
Students are encouraged and given the opportunity to gain chamber music experience
through the formation of small chamber groups, trios, quartets, quintets, etc. Faculty
members coach the ensembles, and performing venues are available on and off campus.
The MTSU Steel Drum band consists of: lead pan, double seconds, double tenors, cellos, tenor basses, drumset and percussion. This ensemble performs a variety of compositions written and or arranged for this medium. Students not only perform this type of literature but also have an opportunity to arrange for this group. They have performed with world renowned Andy Narrrel. Audition is required for ensemble consideration.
The MTSU Symphonic Band fosters the highest performance standards while offering its members an opportunity to expand their technical, intellectual, and musical horizons. The ensemble seeks to broaden performance and pedagogical skills through the programming of exemplary wind band literature while fostering an interest in the band as an integral part of the American musical scene. Membership is open to all university students through audition and the conductor is Craig Cornish, Associate Director of Bands.
Concert Band (Monday Night Band)
Comprised mostly on non-music majors the MTSU Concert Band allows marching band members and former high school players the opportunity to keep their concert skills alive.
Membership is open to majors and non-majors. Instructor approval is needed to join. There is one rehearsal each week. Repertoire includes transcriptions and original works for trombone choir. The trombone ensemble performs publicly at least once each semester.
Directed by Professor of Low Brass, Dr. David Loucky, this ensemble has a long history of performing, touring and commissioning new works.
Offered in the spring semester, the ensemble includes euphonium and tuba music majors,
music majors wishing to perform on a secondary instrument as well as non-majors. Performances
include on campus programs combined with other brass groups and an educational tour
of schools. The 2011 ensemble includes students from 4 states, majoring in Instrumental
Performance Music Industry and Instrumental Music Education.
Conducted by Dr. Reed Thomas, The MTSU Wind Ensemble is the premier performing ensemble for wind, brass, and percussion students at the university. Members are selected through audition each semester and comprise the best musicians at MTSU. The ensemble explores the vast range of the wind repertoire by utilizing a flexible instrumentation approach where the repertoire dictates the number of players for each piece. The ensemble is dedicated to performing outstanding and challenging works of diverse musical styles while furthering wind music of artistic and historical significance. Performing three to five concerts each semester, they also tour extensively throughout the region. The Wind Ensemble is quickly becoming recognized as one of the outstanding university ensembles in the country and abroad. They have been invited to perform in Thailand, Korea, Japan, and several European countries. Membership is open to all MTSU students.
Listen to the MTSU Wind Ensemble in streaming audio:
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from Symphony No. 1 "Lord of the Rings" by Johan de Meij III. Gollum
Students are encouraged and given the opportunity to gain chamber music experience through the formation of small chamber groups, trios, quartets, quintets, etc. Faculty members coach the ensembles, and performing venues are available on and off campus.
Repertory includes choral works from the Renaissance to the present. Participation is by audition only. The Concert Chorale is designed primarily for music majors with advanced vocal skills and choral experience. This group is also a touring ensemble for MTSU and presents regional concerts and biennial European concert tours. Formal Concert attire is required.
This auditioned ensemble is comprised of the men of the MTSU Concert Chorale. The repertory of this group reflects literature for Men's voices from all historical style periods to the present including Broadway and popular styles.
This ensemble performs jazz, Broadway and contemporary vocal literature. It is designed to emphasize the development of stage presence and vocal skills related to the entertainment industry. There is limited enrollment of eight to ten members.
Opera Workshop ( Opera and Musical Theater Webpage)
The Opera Workshop is the preparation and public performance of opera and/or musical
theater, either a complete work or a program of scenes from various opera and/or musical
theater pieces. The type of staged production performed in any given semester is contingent
upon the make-up of the students enrolled in the Workshop. Technical (use of stage
make-up, etc.) and performing aspects of opera and musical theater productions are
studied. Attention is paid to helping Workshop students develop acting as well as
musical skills as they relate to performing opera and/or musical theater. Admission
to Opera Workshop is by audition only. (One credit each semester)
Participation in the Schola Cantorum is by audition only. It is designed primarily for upper division vocal majors and graduate students. Repertory includes choral works from the Renaissance to the present. This group is also a touring choral ensemble. Formal Concert attire is required.
Listen to Schola Contorum conducted by Dr. Raphael Bundage in streaming audio:
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Ave Maria monophonic Chant
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Ave Maria (motet) by Tomas Victoria
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Sicut Cervus (As the deer pants for the water brook...)by G.P. da Palestrina
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Alma Redemptoris Mater by G.P. da Palestrina
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Cantate Domino by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
This choir is open to all MTSU students by audition. Repertory includes octavo literature, Renaissance to the present, as well as major works. It is designed for music and non-music majors. This choir will perform two concerts per semester. Formal Concert attire is required.
The MTSU Women's Chorale is a select ensemble composed of the university's most talented
female voices. These singers represent a variety of musical backgrounds and academic
disciplines. In 2003 this prestigious group was invited to sing for the Tennessee
Music Education Association and by former governor Don Sundquist to perform at the
2001 Tennessee Holocaust Memorial Observance. The ensemble regulary appears with the
Middle Tennessee Choral Society and MTSU's Concert Chorale in oratorio performances.
In 2002 the Chorale collaborated with the University Dance Theatre for a performance
of Karl Jenkins' "Adiemus." Rehearsals are Tuesday/Thursday, 1:00 to 2:25 p.m. For
more information, contact Angela Tipps at angela.tipps@mtsu.edu.
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Middle Tennessee State University, in its educational programs and activities involving students and employees, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or age. Furthermore, the university does not discriminate against veterans or individuals with disabilities.
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