Students have the opportunity to refine their vocal or instrumental performance skills by joining the following ensembles:

University Chorale
Dr. Robert Jones, conductor
The University Chorale, an auditioned mixed ensemble, performs sacred and secular compositions from all musical eras. The ensemble features one major work, often with instrumental or orchestral accompaniment, during the year. Recent performances have included a setting of Exsultate Deo commissioned by John Gardner, Franz Schubert’s Mass in G, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and Serge Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky. The chorale also recently performed the Brahms Requiem with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. On and off campus performances are presented each semester and frequent tours are scheduled. Auditions are required for the University Chorale.

Ebony Heritage Singers
Dr. Donna Cox, conductor
The Ebony Heritage Singers perform music from the African-American sacred music tradition. The ensemble has performed for several professional conferences including the Music Educators National Conference and American Choral Directors Association Conference. Each year the Ebony Heritage Singers perform two major concerts on campus as well as perform on tours. Students from various academic disciplines and ethnic backgrounds serve as ambassadors for racial reconciliation. No audition is required.

Celebration Vocal Transit
Celebration Vocal Transit performs for area civic organizations, hospitals, and senior citizen centers. Repertoire consists of vocal jazz literature and arrangements of pop and show tunes. Each year, Celebration Vocal Transit presents an on-campus concert. Auditions are required for the Celebration Vocal Transit.

Choral Union
Dr. Robert Jones, conductor
Choral Union performs a wide range of choral literature, including but not limited to, European and American classical, spirituals, jazz, and musical theatre selections. Repertoire has included choral selections by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Lena McLin, Undine Moore, and Howard Hanson. No audition is required.

Opera Workshop
Dr. Linda Snyder, conductor
The University of Dayton Opera Workshop encourages development of the solo voice and staging concepts through the medium of opera. Recent productions have included scenes from Charpentier’s opera Louise, Poulenc’s opera Dialogues of the Carmelites, one-act operas such as It Pays to Advertise, an original opera written by UD faculty members, Philip Magnuson and Herbert Martin, and Signor Deluso, by Thomas Pasatieri. Revues of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, American opera and German opera have also been featured. Permission is required.

Hands in Harmony
Prof. Heidi Reynolds, director
Hands in Harmony is the University’s sign-singing ensemble. Formed in 1980, this ensemble performs popular, choral, and contemporary Christian music in American Sign Language for both hearing and hearing-impaired audiences. No previous signing experience is needed, but 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 Conference 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, and performs four to six concerts each year, both on and off campus. As a 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 the opportunity to perform quality literature selected from a wide repertoire. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is open to all students. Auditions are required for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

University Concert Band
Mrs. Nichole Gross, conductor
Meeting winter semester only, the University Concert Band performs two on-campus concerts. A widely varied repertoire is performed including marches, show tunes, concert band standards, contemporary literature, and solo accompaniments. No audition is required.

University Orchestra
Mr. Jiang Liu, conductor
The University Orchestra performs repertoire ranging from string ensembles to chamber orchestras, which includes winds and percussion. Membership is open to UD students, faculty, and staff, as well as the Dayton community. Auditions are required for the University Orchestra.

Pride of Dayton Marching Band
Mrs. Nichole Gross, conductor
The Pride of Dayton generates Flyer spirit in performances on campus, regionally, and nationally. As a member of the Pride, UD students can enjoy high performance standards with the opportunity to meet other students from various backgrounds and interests.As part of the Pride of Dayton’s performances, the Flyerettes continue to maintain a tradition of excellence in dancing, flag routines, and marching. Flyerettes are chosen through auditions held in the spring and during band camp in August. Auditions for Feature Twirler are held in the spring. No audition is required for Marching Band.

Flyer Pep Band
Dr. Willie L. Morris, director
The Flyer Pep Band performs for the Dayton Flyer’s home regular season and tournament 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 students. Auditions are required for the Flyer Pep Band.

Dayton Jazz Ensemble
Dr. Willie L. Morris, conductor
The Dayton Jazz Ensemble, UD’s premier big band, offers a traditional and contemporary big band experience combining the skill of interpreting challenging written music with the art of improvisation. The ensemble performs 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 performance 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 for the Dayton Jazz Ensemble.

OTHER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

UD Jazz Combos
There are several jazz combos that students can participate in 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 at such places as the dining halls, banquets, special events and The UD Blend. Advanced groups perform off campus as well. The combo experience provides students greater opportunities to showcase their individual skills. In addition to these performance ensembles, improvisation instruction for woodwinds, brass, piano, guitar, bass, and drum is available. Permission is required.

Chamber Ensembles
A variety of chamber ensembles are open to all university students. These groups include the Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Horn Choir, Brass Choir, Percussion Ensemble, woodwind quintets, brass quintets, horn quartets, saxophone quartets, and jazz combos. A UD Department of Music faculty member coaches each group. They perform on and off campus and often compete in prestigious national chamber music competitions. Permission is required.

Private Instruction
The department offers private instruction in most instruments and voice. Students may choose from half hour, forty-five minute of full hour lessons. In addition, students may choose to take group classes in piano, voice and guitar.