Student Ensembles

The musicians of tomorrow are presented in grand fashion through a variety of well-stablished student ensembles. Many ensembles have multiple performances throughout the season featuring thematic works, composers, and premieres.

Click on the listings below to learn more about ensembles at the College of Music. Students can visit Ensemble Audition Information to learn about how to become a member of an ensemble.

• Bands: The College of Music concert band ensembles perform the full spectrum of wind music including chamber, contemporary, and traditional repertoire. Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Concert Band, and Campus Band.
• Choirs: The choral groups at MSU perform secular and sacred music in all styles and genres representing many eras and cultures. University Chorale, State Singers, Mosaic (formerly Women’s Chamber Ensemble), Viridis (formerly Women’s Glee Club), Singing Spartans (formerly Men’s Glee Club), Campus Choir, Chamber Choir, and Choral Union.
• Jazz Ensembles: Jazz ensembles include three big bands, each made up of 18 members, and play the repertoire of the great jazz masters including a wide range of soul, swing, blues, and gospel. Four nonets are eight-piece ensembles that blend big band with small group performance. There are also 12 combos of four to six members. Jazz Orchestras I-III, Jazz Nonets I-IV, and Jazz Combos.
• Musique 21: A “Theatre of Music” style group with flexible instrumentation. Focusing on innovative presentations of new work utilizing a variety of theatrical media including film and movement, this adventurous troupe pushes the envelope of 21st century performance.
• MSU Opera Theatre: Presenting two fully staged and costumed productions with the MSU symphony orchestra every season, this group brings larger-than-life theatrics to an intimate stage setting. MSU’s recent production of The Pirates of Penzance took the top prize in the National Opera Association college competition, Division III.
• Orchestras: The Symphony Orchestra is comprised of some of the most advanced string, wind, brass, and percussion musicians in the college. It maintains a schedule of six main orchestral performances, two full opera productions, and a holiday program each season. Concert Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra.
• Other Student Ensembles: A variety of additional performances are available throughout the season offering an outstanding mix of instrumentation and styles of music. These include Trumpet Ensemble, Horn Choir, Chamber Ensembles (including brass quintets), Percussion Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and International Chamber Soloists.