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Music Ensembles

Participation in Ensembles is open to all students

Link to Traveling Music Ensembles

Vocal Ensembles (large)

Concert Choir (MUEN 111) Consists of approximately 45 mixed voices, chosen by audition. Literature includes mainly sacred choral music drawn from the Renaissance through the 20th century. Principal performances include Christmas concert and Spring Break tour. Two rehearsals per week.

Choral Arts Society (MUEN 112) College-community chorus, consisting of approximately 100 singers. Active in the four-month period, January-April. Annual spring concert presents a major choral work with full orchestral accompaniment.

Women's Ensemble (MUEN 113) This chorus of college women performs in the Christmas concert in the Fall and in a campus concert in the Spring. One rehearsal per week.

Men's Ensemble (MUEN 115) This chorus of college men performs in the Christmas concert in the Fall and in a campus concert in the Spring. One rehearsal per week.

Instrumental Ensembles (large)

Symphony Orchestra (MUEN 121) College orchestra open on an audition basis. Performs literature drawn from the Baroque through the 20th Century, presenting three concerts each academic year. Also accompanies major choral and stage productions. One two-hour evening rehearsal per week.

Symphonic Winds (MUEN 122) is a concert band comprised of approximately 90 players. Auditions are open to all Messiah Students. Performs the highest quality wind band literature including a mix of sacred and secular works, standards, and newly commissioned works. Two one-hour rehearsals per week. Symphonic Winds performs three on-campus concerts annually in addition to recording and some off-campus performances.

Wind Ensemble MUEN 135) is comprised of approximately 45 players. Auditions are open to all Messiah Students. This more select ensemble performs the highest quality wind band literature including a mix of sacred and secular works, standards, and newly commissioned works. Two one-hour rehearsals per week. Wind Ensemble performs three on-campus concerts annually in addition to recording and some off-campus performances.

Chamber Winds is an ensemble of varying size depending upon repertoire. Performers are selected from the members of the Wind Ensemble. Chamber Winds performs the most demanding repertoire and provides a one per part experience for the most polished performers. Two rehearsals per week. Chamber Winds performs on campus as a part of other wind band concerts.

Vocal Ensembles (small)

Chamber Singers (MUEN 116) is a select vocal ensemble auditioned from the ranks of concert choir. This 16 member group performs repertoire that encompasses all styles and genre.

Jazz Singers (MUEN 114) Consists of 16 vocalists plus a rhythm section. Performs jazz and popular classics. Performance schedule includes two on-campus appearances and occasional off-campus programs. One rehearsal per week.

Messiah College Singers (MUEN 140) is a vocal ensemble auditioned from all students. This 20 member group performs contemporary and traditional sacred music. This is the primary music ministry choir.

Music Ministry Team (MUEN 139) Small student ensembles of varied instrumentation which perform in off-campus worship services. Open by audition.

Instrumental Ensembles (small)

Jazz ONE (MUEN 141) 20 piece "big band" that performs and studies jazz standards as well as contemporary arrangements for jazz ensemble. The group, consisting of the more experienced jazz performer, performs three times per year on campus and does several off-campus performances. Improvisation is part of the curriculum. One one-hour rehearsal per week.

Jazz TWO (MUEN 142) 20 to 25 member "big band" that performs and studies jazz standards as well as other styles. Jazz ensemble II is intended to provide experience for all interested students who wish to develop improvisation skills and jazz reading skills. This group performs two times per year on campus. One one-hour rehearsal per week.

Brass Choir (MUEN 124) Consists of approximately 20 brass players including trumpets, horns, trombones, euphonium and tuba. Brass Choir performs three concerts per year in addition to several other performances on and off campus. Members are selected by audition. Repertoire includes standard brass choir literature as well as contemporary settings of sacred and secular works. One one-hour rehearsal per week.

Brass Quintet Select brass group that performs for on-campus and off-campus events including church services, meetings, and dinners. Members are selected by audition and rehearsals are determined by individual schedules.

Trumpet Ensemble (MUEN 145) is a selects group that performs for on campus and off campus events including the National Trumpet Competition held annually in Fairfax, VA.

Flute Choir (MUEN 126) An ensemble of 10-12 flutes including alto and bass. Performs in Chapel and occasional off-campus worship services. One rehearsal per week.

Chamber Ensembles (MUEN 127) Various chamber groups are formed with the purpose of providing performing experience to qualified instrumentalists. Includes groups such as Saxophone Quartet, String Quartet, Clarinet Choir, and Trombone Choir.

Concert Handbell Choir (MUEN 128) includes fourteen ringers chosen by audition in the fall. Performs in the Christmas concert, spring concert, and in various off-campus concerts. One two-hour afternoon rehearsal per week.

Percussion Ensemble (MUEN 131) Consists of ten to twelve members performing standard percussion and marimba ensemble repertoire. The group performs each semester.

Recorder Consort (MUEN 132) Small ensemble designed to include players on soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorders. The music performed is taken predominantly from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble performs one or two times at Christmas as well as in the Small Ensembles Concert each spring.

Chamber Strings (MUEN 133) String chamber groups rehearse weekly and perform on and off campus. Includes groups such as String Trio, String Quartet, or String Octet.

Jazz Combo (MUEN 134) Small group jazz offering for students w3ith developed improvisational skills.  Rehearses once a week.  Performs on and off campus.

Woodwind Quintet (MUEN 143) A chamber ensemble consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon.

Brass Chamber Music (MUEN 144) Brass quartets or quintets formed to perform throughout the semester.

Piano Quartet (MUEN 146) Ensemble piano duets and quartets for campus and community performances.

Saxophone Quartet (MUEN 147) An ensemble comprised of soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.

French Horn Ensemble (MUEN ) A like-instrument chamber ensemble comprised of hornists from the department, campus, and community which performs both standard and new repertory in four or more parts, both transcriptions and original works.

Pit Orchestra (MUEN 117) A select ensemble which accompanies musical theater and opera productions.

Accompanying (MUEN 125) Guided experience in piano accompanying.  Requires accompanying for one performer in weekly lessons and public performances.

United Voices of Praise (MUEN 138) Gospel choir of approximately 60-100 singers that meets once a week, that performs on campus as well as local and regional churches.

New Light (MUEN 148) A small traveling music ministry ensemble of six to eight students that travels extensively during the summer.  A wide range of music is performed highlighting various talents of the performers.  Students are selected by audition.

Guitar Ensemble (MUEN 130) An ensemble of 3 to 6 performers that develops player's note reading ability and finger style techniques. The group plays a wide variety of music from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The ensemble performs on and off campus. One rehearsal per week.