Music Ensembles
½ûÂþÌìÌà offers a variety of ensembles. You do not have to be a Music major to participate in an ensemble, however you must be registered on Jayweb for the ensemble, either for credit or no-credit. With our ensembles, you will perform several times each year both on-and off-campus.
Instrumental Ensembles
Symphonic Band
The ½ûÂþÌìÌà Symphonic Band, directed by Prof. Matthew Tenaglia, is the premier wind and percussion ensemble. The ensemble performs a wide variety of quality musical literature from the wind band repertoire. Membership in the Symphonic Band is available to Etown students of every academic major. No audition is required for membership. The Symphonic Band rehearses twice per week and performs at least one concert each semester. For more information regarding membership, contact Prof. Tenaglia at tenagliam@etown.eduÌýor by telephone at (717) 361-1178.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band, directed by Grant Moore, meets once each week for two hours and members may receive 1/2 credit. It is open to qualified students, with the approval of the director. It performs often during the academic year, both on- and off-campus, and offers students instruction in the basic skills of improvisation, stylization, and performance. For more information regarding membership, contact Grant Moore at mooreg@etown.edu or by telephone at (717) 361-1114.
Orchestra
Founded in 1971, the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ-Community Orchestra (ECCO) is the premier wind, string, and percussion ensemble at ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ. The ensemble, directed by Dr. Hayden Denesha, performs a wide variety of quality musical literature for both string orchestra and full orchestra. Membership is available to students of every academic major at Elizabethtown. There are no auditions required for community and college string players; community and College wind and percussion musicians gain membership in the ensemble with permission from the director. The orchestra performs at least one concert each semester. For more information regarding membership, contact Dr. Denesha at deneshah@etown.edu or by telephone at (717) 361-1178.
Chamber Ensembles
Chamber ensembles provide students opportunities to learn and perform works for small ensemble combinations. Musicians work to increase knowledge of chamber music repertoire and performance practice. The ensembles meet for approximately one hour weekly. Participants receive one-half hour credit per semester. Chamber groups include, but are not limited to:
- Arioso Flute Choir
- Brass Ensemble
- Clarinet Ensemble
- Horn Ensemble
- Mixed Winds
- Percussion Ensemble
- Piano Ensemble
- Saxophone Ensemble
- String Ensemble
Occasionally mixed groups may also be formed, including guitar and voice. Auditions may be necessary for some groups.
Choral Ensembles
The ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ-Community Chorus is directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz, and is open to any member of the student body and local community without audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections and music of varying cultures and periods. Students may enroll for one credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after four semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.
Fenice is a gender-inclusive treble choir directed by Dr. Anne Gross and is open to any member of the student body by audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections, and music of varying cultures and periods. Students may enroll for one credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after four semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.
Sine Nomine
This vocal ensemble focuses on repertoire for the bass and tenor voices and is directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz. The ensemble is open to any member of the student body without audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections, and music of varying cultures and periods.
Concert Choir, Dr. Matthew Fritz, director, is an auditioned group is ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ’s premier vocal ensemble. This 40-member, mixed-voice, touring ensemble has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally. International tours have included Ireland, Northern Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and Wales. Auditions for the ensemble are held each spring for current students, and during Freshmen Orientation for new students. Students may enroll for one credit or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.