Ensembles
WSU music students lead rich musical lives with many opportunities to perform as a soloist and in chamber and large ensembles.
Band
Our Band program offers students many rewarding experiences and performance opportunities.
We host concerts that serve the community, participate in regional tours, and work with guest performers and composers from around the world.
Students can earn 1 credit per semester by participating in either of our main ensembles.
The primary ensemble in the WSU Band program is the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. It rehearses 3 days a week and performs in 4 concerts and 2 commencement ceremonies per year.
Private instruction is also offered for all Symphonic Wind Ensemble students.
The Symphonic Band rehearses 1 evening a week and performs in 4 concerts per year.
Students also perform in the pep band, a secondary responsibility, at select football, volleyball, and basketball games.
Our program offers a lot more than just ensembles. Here is some helpful information as you prepare to get involved in the Band program.
- If students are interested in joining an ensemble but do not own a musical instrument, the WSU Music Department has a limited supply of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments that can be used free of charge
- The requirement to become involved in this program is to complete a brief audition meeting. These meetings are simply a formality used for seating purposes
- The concert attire for all band ensembles is concert black. Pep Band attire is provided to all band students free of charge.
Choir
The Choral program at WSU consists of 3 ensembles which cover a repertoire ranging from from the Renaissance to contemporary choral works. All singers receive 1 undergraduate credit each semester.
The program also has an active American Choral Directors’ Association Student Chapter.
This large ensemble is open to singers of any voice part.
A voice placement and registration override are required for this course (MUS 243). Contact Dr. Chester if you are interested in joining Concert Choir.
This ensemble satisfies GEP Goal Area 6b and the Large Ensemble requirement for music majors and minors.
This ensemble is open to treble singers:
- Sopranos
- Altos
No previous experience or audition is required to join.
This course (MUS 143) satisfies GEP Goals Areas 6b and 7.
This chamber ensemble is open to singers of any voice part.
Students are selected through a formal audition process. If interested, please email Dr. Chester to arrange an audition time.
This course (MUS 249) satisfies the Small Ensemble Performance requirement for Music Education majors and the Chamber Ensemble requirement for Music Performance majors.
Jazz
The Jazz program offers 2 ensembles, some of the most active performers on campus. Our program is proud to carry on the rich jazz tradition that has been in place here on campus since the 1940s.
The WSU jazz ensemble is a group of talented musicians selected through audition each year. The group performs various types of jazz and is one of the most active performing groups on campus.
Jazz Combos help students learn the art of jazz performance and improvisation in a small ensemble setting.
Groups range in size from 4-8 players, and all instrumentalists are welcome.
Each combo performs once each semester, though many groups chose to add additional performances off-campus at various venues.
Friends of Jazz
WSU Friends of Jazz provides financial assistance for scholarships, tours, recordings, and guest appearances on campus. As a designated program within the WSU Foundation, Friends of Jazz works cooperatively with the WSU Retiree Center and Alumni Relations.
Become a member of Friends of Jazz to help WSU establish itself as a regional center for jazz in college curriculum.
Your annual contribution entitles you to free admission to all on-campus jazz performances and a listing in programs as a Friend of Jazz at the following levels:
- Friend: $25-49
- Sponsor: $50-99
- Patron: $100-499
- Benefactor: $500 and up
To make a financial contribution, please send your name, address, phone number and email to:
Friends of Jazz
c/o WSU Retiree Center
P.O. Box 5838
Winona, MN 5598
Orchestra
The Orchestral program consists of the Chamber Orchestra and String Ensemble.
Not only do they perform typical orchestra pieces, but the program also incorporates the work of contemporary composers from the surrounding area.
Musicians will also have travel opportunities to further immerse themselves into the world of music. While bonding with their fellow musicians, students can attend professional orchestra concerts and meet professional musicians and composers.
Many orchestra members even form duos, trios and quartets and perform throughout the year at coffeehouses, weddings, special events and in recitals.