Ensembles

Ensembles

The Department of Music at Vincennes University offers performance opportunities in many different ensembles. While ensemble performance is required for all music majors, participation in these performing groups is also extended to the general student population.  If you are interested in joining a VU Department of Music ensemble, please contact the department chair or the ensemble director for more information or to schedule an audition.  Come join us!

 

Concert Choir (MUSI 260)
Juliet Gilchrist, director

Participation in Concert Choir involves the study and performance of diversified choral literature from all stylistic periods.  No audition is required.  3 hours of rehearsal plus additional rehearsal hours as required for tours and performances.

 

VU Connection (MUSI 261)
Juliet Gilchrist, director

 

The Vincennes University Connection is a music performance ensemble that focuses on ensemble repertoire from the American Musical Theatre genre, incorporating music, movement, and theatrical elements.  The ensemble performs throughout the year on and off-campus.  Auditions are required each semester.  Membership for the entire year is desired, but not required or guaranteed.  3 rehearsal hours per week plus additional rehearsal hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Concert Band (MUSI 250)
Susie Jackson, director

This performance-based course is open to any University student who plays a wind or percussion instrument, and is a requirement for all wind and percussion majors.  String players may also enroll in this course with permission of the band director.  The Concert Band performs a wide variety of traditional and contemporary wind literature each semester.  No audition is required to participate in this ensemble.  Membership in the ensemble for the entire year is preferred, but not required.  4 hours rehearsal per week plus additional rehearsal hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Jazz Ensemble (MUSI 251)                          
Addisson Grimm, director

The jazz ensemble performs traditional big band style arrangement of various styles including swing, Latin, and popular.  An audition is required for membership.  The ensemble rehearses twice weekly for a total of 4 hours per week plus additional rehearsal hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Pep Band (MUSI 252)
Susie Jackson, director

This performance-based course is open to all University brass, woodwind, electric guitar, electric bass, keyboard, and percussion players.  An audition is required to be eligible to participate in this course.  The Pep Band performs for the majority of the VU Women’s and Men’s home basketball games throughout the season.  The ensemble plays a wide variety of musical styles including jazz, rock, pop, and Latin.  Membership in the ensemble for the entire year is preferred, but not required.  2 hours rehearsal per week plus additional rehearsal/preparation hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Brass Ensemble (MUSI 253)                          
Addisson Grimm, director

This performance-based chamber ensemble of mixed brass instrumentation is open to all University brass players, and is a requirement for all brass majors.  Participants study and perform a wide selection of literature from the brass repertoire each semester.  The ensemble may be organized into various sizes and instrumentation for the performance of the literature.  An audition is required to be eligible to participate in this ensemble.  Membership in the ensemble for the entire year is preferred, but not required.  2 hours rehearsal per week plus additional rehearsal/preparation hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Woodwind Ensemble (MUSI 254)                        
Tom Wilson, director

This performance based chamber ensemble of mixed woodwind instrumentation is open to all University woodwind players, and is a requirement for all woodwind majors.  Participants study and perform a wide selection of literature from the woodwind repertoire each semester.  The ensemble may be organized into various sizes and instrumentation for the performance of the literature.  An audition is required to be eligible to participate in this ensemble.  Membership in the ensemble for the entire year is preferred, but not required.  2 hours rehearsal per week plus additional rehearsal/preparation hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Percussion Ensemble (MUSI 255)                     
Susie Jackson, director

This performance based chamber ensemble is open to all University percussionists, and is a requirement for all percussion majors.  Non-percussionists may also enroll in this course with permission of the percussion instructor.  Participants study and perform a variety of traditional and innovative percussion instruments in various traditional and contemporary musical styles (including jazz/fusion, classical, rock, pop, and novelty) each semester.  The ensemble may be organized into various sizes and instrumentation for the performance of the literature.  An audition is required to be eligible to participate in this ensemble.  Membership in the ensemble or the entire year is preferred, but not required.  2 hours rehearsal per week plus additional rehearsal/preparation hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Guitar Ensemble (MUSI 256)
Mike Howell, director

This course provides performing group experiences of literature for classical guitar ensembles (duets, trios, quartets and larger groups).  Ensemble groups will prepare classical compositions by Bach, Sor, Giuliani, Albeniz, and other standard guitar ensemble repertoire.  These performances apply note reading and classical technique and will culminate with a public performance at the end of each semester.  The enrollment in this ensemble requires concurrent registration in private lessons and is repeatable for additional credits.  An audition will be required.  Rehearsals will meet 2 hours per week with additional rehearsal hours as required for tours and performances.

 

Blues Ensemble (MUSI 257)
Dave Parman, director

This ensemble studies and performs blues music of subgenres from the earliest to the most recent recorded styles.  Two hours rehearsal per week plus additional rehearsal and performance times as required for tours and concerts.

 

String Ensemble (MUSI 258)                            
Dave Parman, director

This ensemble studies and performs string music from the earliest to the most recent styles.  Two hours rehearsal per week plus additional rehearsal and performance times as required for tours and concerts.

 

Jazz Combo (MUSI 259)
Scott Mercer, director

The jazz combo performs traditional jazz styles including swing, Latin, and popular with a focus on improvisation.  Permission of instructor is required.  The group will rehearse 2 hours per week plus additional hours as required for tours and performances.