Musical Ensembles

ENSEMBLES

University Choir
The ASU University Choir is a large concert ensemble available for singers interested in continuing their choral experience while in college. It is open to both music majors and non-majors, with auditions taking place at the beginning of each semester. The ensemble focuses on the performance of standard choral literature ranging from classical to spirituals, along with the performance of gospel and praise music. The group performs and tours extensively throughout the year. Contact Dr. Kristofer Sanchack at ksanchack@alasu.edu for audition and scholarship information.

Trebled Soul
Trebled Soul is an elite, a cappella,  vocal jazz ensemble made up of advanced singers. Students are selected by audition to participate in the ensemble. Trebled Soul performs an array of literature ranging from jazz standards to contemporary works and popular/commercial music. Contact Mr. Tyrone Hayes at thayes@alasu.edu for audition information.

Opera Workshop
The Opera Workshop at ASU provides advanced vocal students with the opportunity to learn and perform repertoire in a series of scenes or vignettes staged from different operas and various operatic composers. In addition to building repertoire, students also receive extensive coaching in movement and stage presence. Contact Mr. Tyrone Hayes at thayes@alasu.edu for more information.

Pop Ensemble
The newest ensemble at ASU available for students to explore, is the Pop Ensemble, a group made of of vocalists and instrumentalists playing the drums, keys, and bass and creating music on digital applications. Students in the ensemble perform a wide variety cover songs, along with original songs by student composers. Contact Dr. Shane Colquhoun at scolquhoun@alasu.edu for more information.

Jazz Ensemble & Combo Groups
The Jazz Ensemble is a traditional big band group that performs various jazz styles from swing to salsa to bebop. The ensemble is comprised of saxophone, trumpet, and trombone players, and features a rhythm section made up of piano, guitar, bass, and drum set. Vocal soloisits also regularly perform with the group on standard jazz literature, both in the big band setting, and in smaller combo groups. Contact Mr. Isaac Bell, Jr. at ibell@alasu.edu for more information.

Athletic Bands at ASU
The Mighty Marching Hornets performs at all home football games, and for parades and band shows during the fall semester, while the smaller pep band provides entertainment at basketball games during the spring semester. Contact Dr. Derrick Smith at dsmith@alasu.edu or Mr. Ernest Harris at eharris@alasu.edu for more information on the marching band or pep band. Also, please visit the Mighty Marching Hornets site for additional information on how to be involved with and how to audition for our world renowned Band program, and to learn more about our dedicated part-time Marching Band staff and community helpers that assist with the Band program at ASU.

Concert Bands at ASU
The ASU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band I & II are concert ensembles dedicated to the performance of advanced concert band literature that meet throughout the school year. In addition, a Flex Band is available during the fall semester to provide developing musicians an opportunity to sharpen musical skills and to advance their musicianship in a group learning setting. The concert groups are open to participation by both ASU music majors and non-majors with placement auditions held at the beginning of each semester. Wind Ensemble scholarships are available for non-majors who play instruments of high need (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and concert French horn) at an advanced level (grade 5 concert repertoire). Contact Dr. Derrick Smith at dsmith@alasu.edu for audition and scholarship information.

Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble I & II are chamber groups dedicated to performing music composed or arranged for percussion instruments and is open to both music majors and non-music major percussionists. Contact Dr. Jessica Williams at jewilliams@alasu.edu for audition information.

Trombone Choir
The ASU Trombone Choir is a small chamber group made up of trombone majors and conducted by ASU trombone professor, Dr. Jonathan Houghtling. The group has been featured at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Momentum Symposium, and regularly performs around campus for special events. Contact Dr. Jonathan Houghtling at jhoughtling@alasu.edu for more information.

Horn Choir
The ASU Horn Choir is a small chamber group made up of French horn majors and conducted by ASU horn professor, Dr. Brenda Luchsinger. The group has been featured at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Momentum Symposium and at the Southeast Horn Workshop, and regularly performs around campus for special events. Contact Dr. Brenda Luchsinger at bluchsinger@alasu.edu for more information.

Saxophone Quartet
The ASU Saxophone Quartet is a select ensemble made up of saxophone majors and conducted by ASU woodwinds professor, Dr. Michael Westmoreland. The group performs a diverse repertoire including both classical and jazz styles. Contact Dr. Michael Westmoreland at mwestmoreland@alasu.edu for more information.

Performance Opportunities with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
are available for advanced music students who play an orchestral string instrument such as the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Orchestral string students are encouraged to audition for the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra for possible opportunities for performing with the orchestra. Contact Dr. Bryan Reeves at bryan@montgomerysymphony.org for audition information.