Ensembles & Performance Opportunities
No matter what your preferred musical style is, the department of music offers a variety of ensembles that allow you to express yourself creatively. These ensembles perform a diverse repertoire, including jazz, gospel, choral and instrumental masterworks and world music.
Ensembles are free credits for all UD students.
Keep music in your life with these opportunities.
UNIVERSITY CHORALE
Dr. Robert Jones, conductor
The University Chorale, an auditioned mixed ensemble, 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. Chorale joined with the UD Choral Union, faculty soloists and orchestra to present Haydn's The Creation. The ensemble has also sung for the Ohio Music Education Association and for the National Association for Music Education's Central Division conference. Chorale studied and performed the works of Stephen Paulus and Rosephanye Powell when the composers were in residence at the university. The ensemble has toured Europe three times and performed concerts in London's St. Paul's Cathedral and Paris' Cathedral of Notre Dame. Auditions are 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 music, spirituals, jazz, and musical theatre selections. 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 music for special occasions. The ensemble's repertoire ranges from Broadway to folk songs and spirituals to traditional choral literature. No audition is required.
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 National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. The group presents two major concerts annually on campus and performs on tour. Students from various academic disciplines and ethnic backgrounds serve as ambassadors for racial reconciliation through their participation in EHS. No audition is required.
OPERA WORKSHOP
Dr. Minnita Daniel-Cox, Dr. David Sievers, Dr. Linda Snyder, directors
Opera Workshop is for experienced singers interested in stage performance. The ensemble encourages the 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, 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. Concert 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 (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 presents annually the "Opera-on-Wheels" for local schools and organizations. With permission.
WORLD MUSIC CHOIR
Dr. Sharon Davis Gratto, director
World Music Choir 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 audio and video technology. Performances often include accompanying percussion instruments and movement. Open to all University and community members. No audition is required.
HANDS IN HARMONY
Professor Heidi Reynolds
Hands in Harmony is the University's sign-singing ensemble. Formed in 1980, this ensemble performs popular and contemporary Christian music in American Sign Language for both hearing and hearing-impaired audiences. While no previous signing experience is needed, 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 Association Conference (OMEA) and for various music therapy conferences. No audition is required.
SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE
Dr. Patrick Reynolds, conductor
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs the finest literature written for winds and percussion in four to six annual concerts, both on and off campus. As 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 with the opportunity to perform quality literature selected from a wide repertoire. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is open to all UD students. Auditions are required.
UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA
Dr. Patrick Reynolds, conductor
Open to students from all academic majors, the University Orchestra performs a broad repertoire for string orchestra in the fall semester and full symphony orchestra in the spring semester. In addition to four concerts presented each year, the orchestra regularly collaborates in choral and operatic performances with the University Chorale and Opera Workshop, and has appeared on UD's Celebration of the Arts at the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts. Auditions are required.
PRIDE OF DAYTON MARCHING BAND
Professors Tremon Kizer and James Leslie, conductors
The Pride of Dayton Marching Band (POD) generates Flyer spirit in performances at UD football games, on campus, throughout the community, and nationally. As a member of POD, UD students can enjoy high performance standards and get to know other students from various backgrounds and interests. POD consists of winds, percussion, colorguard, twirlers, and a dance team, the Flyerettes. Auxiliary units hold auditions during the spring semester. There is no audition for the rest of the ensemble. POD is open to Wright State University and Sinclair Community College students as well as all UD students. No audition is required.
UNIVERSITY CONCERT BAND
Professor Tremon Kizer, conductor
The University Concert Band (UCB) performs two on-campus concerts and occasionally an off campus performance, sometimes with other concert bands. This ensemble meets only during the spring semester and performs varied repertoire, including marches, show tunes, concert band standards, contemporary literature, and solo accompaniments. UCB is open to all UD students and does not require an audition.
JAVANESE GAMELAN ENSEMBLE
Dr. Heather MacLachlan, conductor
The University of Dayton Javanese Gamelan 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 at venues on campus and around Dayton. Open to all UD students. No audition is required
EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Dr. Samuel Dorf, director
Using the university's collection of recorders, lutes, cornamuses, krumhorns, viola da gambas and keyboard instruments, members of this ensemble present historically informed performances of vocal and instrumental works from the Middle Ages to the present day using both period and modern instruments. Instruments are available for student use. No prior experience in early music is necessary. Open to all UD students and staff and community members. No audition is required.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE AND WINTER DRUMLINE
Professor James Leslie, director
Meeting winter semester only, these two ensembles offer a variety of performance opportunities for student percussionists. The Percussion Ensemble plays both standard and contemporary literature, as well as transcriptions of Western Music. African, Brazilian, and Caribbean percussion traditions are also emphasized. For those who love rudimental drumming, Winter Drumline is an exciting group that performs both on-campus and at community events. These ensembles are open to all UD students. No audition is required.
FLYER PEP BAND
Dr. Willie L. Morris III, director
The Flyer Pep Band performs for the Dayton Flyer's regular basketball season and tournament home 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 UD students. Auditions are required.
DAYTON JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Dr. Willie L. Morris III, director
The Dayton Jazz Ensemble, UD's premier big band, offers a traditional and contemporary experience combining the skill of interpreting challenging written music with the art of improvisation. The ensemble performs at 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 performances 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.
UNIVERSITY JAZZ BAND
Professor James Leslie, director
The University Jazz Band offers an opportunity for students who want to continue to play jazz on a less formal basis. The band focuses on traditional big band and swing era music, teaching students how to improvise and develop an understanding of various jazz performance styles. The University Jazz Band performs four concerts a year. Auditions are required.
FLYER JAZZ LAB BAND
David McDonnell, director
The Flyer Jazz Lab Band is an ensemble open to all UD students. Members of the ensemble study the fundamental elements of jazz improvisation and styles and perform big band jazz at the beginning and intermediate levels. The band performs on campus twice a semester. No audition is required.
UD JAZZ COMBOS
There are several jazz combos 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 in dining halls and at banquets, special events and The UD Blend. Advanced groups also perform off campus. The combo experience provides students with greater opportunities to showcase their individual talents. In addition to these performance ensembles, improvisation instruction for woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, bass, and drums is available. Permission is required.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
A variety of chamber ensembles are open to all University students. These groups include but are not limited to the Flute Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, Horn Choir, Trumpet Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Woodwind and Brass quintets, horn and saxophone quartets, and jazz combos. A UD Department of Music faculty member coaches each group. Ensembles perform on and off campus and often compete in prestigious national chamber music competitions. Permission is required.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
The Department of Music offers private instruction in most instruments and voice. Students may choose from half hour or full hour lessons. In addition, students may choose to take group classes in piano, voice and guitar. Improvisation instruction for woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, bass and drums is available. Instruction is open to all students on campus.