Ensembles
The Department of Music offers a wide variety of ensembles. Some of these require no previous musical experience, while others require an audition and serve to enhance the performance learning experience of students planning a career in music.
Performance Opportunities
University Chorale
Dr. Robert Jones, conductor
The University Chorale, an auditioned mixed ensemble of 30–35 singers, performs sacred and secular compositions from all musical eras. Chorale has performed with Dayton Opera and has collaborated with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus to present masterworks such as Brahm's Requiem and Britten's War Requiem. In 2009, Chorale joined with the UD Choral Union, faculty soloists and orchestra to present F.J. Haydn's The Creation. Chorale sang for the Ohio Music Education Association in 2004 and for the MENC Central Division in 2011. Chorale has sung programs featuring the music of American composers Stephen Paulus and Rosephanye Powell, who visited campus and coached them on select compositions. Since 1999, Chorale has toured the European continent three times, including concerts in St. Paul's Cathedral (London) and the Cathedral of Notre Dame (Paris). Auditions are required.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Dr. Patrick Reynolds, conductor
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs the finest literature written for winds and percussion, and performs four to six concerts each year, both on and off campus. As a part of the Wind Ensemble program, works for various chamber ensembles drawn from the large group are also programmed throughout the year. The resulting musical experience provides members the opportunity to perform quality literature selected from a wide repertoire. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is open to all students. Auditions are required.
University Orchestra
Dr. Patrick Reynolds, conductor
The University Orchestra performs repertoire ranging from string ensembles to chamber orchestras, which includes winds and percussion. Membership is open to UD students, faculty, and staff, as well as the Dayton community. Auditions are required.
Dayton Jazz Ensemble
Dr. Willie L. Morris, director
The Dayton Jazz Ensemble, UD's premier big band, offers a traditional and contemporary big band experience combining the skill of interpreting challenging written music with the art of improvisation. The ensemble performs local and regional concerts, at high school and college jazz festivals, and other invited musical events. It also performs frequently with local, regional and internationally known jazz artists. Past collaborations have included performance with Branford Marsalis, Terell Stafford, Carl Allen, Mulgrew Miller, Conrad Herwig, and members of the Count Basie and Woody Herman Jazz Bands. Auditions are required.
Opera Workshop
Dr. Minnita Daniel-Cox, Dr. David Sievers, Dr. Linda Snyder, directors
Opera Workshop is for experienced student singers interested in singing on-stage. The ensemble encourages development of solo voice acting and staging techniques through the medium of lyric theatre. Productions have included operas such as Menotti's Old Maid and the Thief, Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Strauss' Die Fledermaus-Act II, A Game of Chance by Seymour Barab, It Pays to Advertise (an original opera written by University of Dayton faculty, Phillip Magnuson and Herbert Martin), Signor Deluso by Pasatieri, The Impresario by Mozart, Dido and Aeneas by Purcell, and Ruddigore by Gilbert and Sullivan. Concept revues and scenes evenings have also been featured. Guest stage directors and coaches for opera workshop have included George Shirley (Metropolitan Opera, University of Michigan), Nelson Sheeley (Lake George Opera, NY), Patricia Heuermann (Singers Theatre of New York), John Wesley Wright (Cincinnati, Salisbury State University), Sarah Mantel (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), Jeffrey Powell (Dayton Opera and Ohio Light Opera), and guests from the Dayton Opera. The UD Opera Workshop has performed for the national convention of the National Opera Association, and locally at major theatrical venues in Dayton. The ensemble also performs annually off-campus as "Opera-on-Wheels" for local schools and community organizations.
Pride of Dayton Marching Band
Mr. Tremon Kizer, Mr. James Leslie, directors
The Pride of Dayton Marching Band generates Flyer spirit in performances at UD football games, on campus, throughout the community, and even nationally. As a member of the Pride, UD students can enjoy high performance standards with the opportunity to meet other students from various backgrounds and interest. The Pride of Dayton consists of winds, percussion, colorguard, twirlers, and our dance team, the Flyerettes. Our auxiliary units hold auditions during the spring semester. There is no audition for the rest of the ensemble and is open to Wright State University and Sinclair Community College students.
Ebony Heritage Singers
Dr. Donna Cox, director
The Ebony Heritage Singers perform music from the African-American sacred music tradition. The ensemble has performed for several professional conferences including the Music Educators National Conference and American Choral Directors Association Conference. Each year the Ebony Heritage Singers perform two major concerts on campus as well as perform on tours. Students from various academic disciplines and ethnic backgrounds serve as ambassadors for racial reconciliation. No audition is required.
Choral Union
Dr. Robert Jones, conductor
Choral Union performs a wide range of choral literature, including but not limited to, European and American classical, spirituals, jazz, and musical theatre selections. In the past, Choral Union has collaborated with the University Chorale to perform choral masterworks with orchestra and professional soloists. The two ensembles occasionally combine to form single gender ensembles to perform carols or music for other special occasions. Repertoire ranges from Broadway to folk songs and spirituals to traditional choral repertoire. No audition is required.
Hands in Harmony
Prof. Heidi Reynolds
Hands in Harmony is the University's sign-singing ensemble. Formed in 1980, this ensemble performs popular, choral, and contemporary Christian music in American Sign Language for both hearing and hearing-impaired audiences. No previous signing experience is needed, but all members must have a desire to learn ASL and develop an understanding of the deaf culture. Hands in Harmony has performed for the Ohio State Music Education Conference and for various music therapy conferences. No audition is required.
University Concert Band
Mr. Tremon Kizer, conductor
The University Concert Band (UCB) performs two on-campus concerts and occasionally an off campus performance with other concert bands. While this ensemble meets during the winter semester, it performs varied repertoire such as marches, show tunes, concert band standards, contemporary literature, and solo accompaniments. UCB is open to non-music majors and does not require an audition.
Flyer Pep Band
Dr. Willie L. Morris, director
The Flyer Pep Band performs for the Dayton Flyer's home regular season and tournament games. The band often receives television coverage on ESPN and other national networks. Members of the ensemble are chosen through auditions held in October. While Pride of Dayton members are given priority in membership, the Pep Band is open to all students. Auditions are required.
Other Performance Opportunities
Javanese Gamelan Ensemble
Dr. Heather MacLachlan, director
The University of Dayton Javanese Gamelan Ensemble plays traditional music from Central Java as well as contemporary compositions. Participants learn to play all of the instruments in the ensemble, which were custom made for the University in Indonesia. The gamelan performs for appreciative audiences at venues on campus and around Dayton. Open to all University and community members.
Early Music Ensemble
Dr. Samuel N. Dorf, director
With our collection of recorders, lutes, cornamuses, krumhorns, and keyboard instruments, musicians explore historically informed performances of vocal and instrumental works from the Middle Ages to the present day using both period and modern instruments. Rehearsals are held Wednesday from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. in the Music and Theater Building, room 112. Instruments are available for student use. No prior experience in early music is necessary, 0pen to all University and community members.
World Music Choir
Dr. Sharon Davis Gratto, director
Singers explore, learn, and perform a diverse repertoire of world choral music in its cultural and historical context, with the help of cultural 'informants,' either in person or through the use of technology. Performances often include accompanying percussion instruments and movement. Open to all University and community members.
UD Jazz Combos
There are several jazz combos that students can participate in at UD. They offer students at any skill level the opportunity to learn how to improvise or to improve their improvisational skills. They perform regularly on campus at such places as the dining halls, banquets, special events and The UD Blend. Advanced groups perform off campus as well. The combo experience provides students greater opportunities to showcase their individual skills. In addition to these performance ensembles, improvisation instruction for woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, bass, and drum is available. Permission is required.
Chamber Ensembles
A variety of chamber ensembles are open to all university students. These groups include the Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Horn Choir, Brass Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Piano Ensemble, woodwind quintets, brass quintets, horn quartets, saxophone quartets and jazz combos. A UD Department of Music faculty member coaches each group. They perform on and off campus and often compete in prestigious national chamber music competitions. Permission is required.
