Music Ensembles

Please note: All students participating in a music ensemble must be registered for the ensemble, either for credit or no-credit.

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Robert Spence, meets for one- and one-half hours twice a week. It reads and performs literature including transcriptions and original compositions from various musical periods. This group plays several concerts on campus each year. Students may enroll for 1 credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after 4 semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission. A separate guide is available which spells out all the requirements involved in band participation.

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.

The Elizabethtown College-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. This chorus meets weekly on Tuesday evenings, 7:30 to 9:20 p.m. in Leffler Chapel. Students may enroll for one credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after 4 semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.

Dolce is directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz 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. This ensemble meets weekly on Wednesday evenings. Students may enroll for 1 credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after 4 semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.

This vocal ensemble, directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz, 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. This ensemble meets weekly on Fridays.

Concert Choir, Dr. Matthew Fritz, director, is an auditioned group is E-town’s premiere vocal ensemble. This 40-member, mixed-voice, touring ensemble has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally. In may of 2011, the Choir toured Ireland and Northern Ireland performing in St. Patrick's Cathedral and Galway Cathedral among other venues. The choir will travel to New Orleans in May 2012 and Salvador, Brazil in 2013. Auditions for the ensemble are held each spring for current students, and during Freshmen Orientation for new students. Rehearsals are held Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-1:50 as well as regularly scheduled, weekly sectional rehearsals. Students may enroll for 1 credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after 4 semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.

Orchestra

The College Orchestra, directed by Dr. Robert Spence, meets twice weekly. Membership is open to music and non-music majors by audition. All string players in the college community are encouraged to participate, as are selected wind, brass, and percussion players. The orchestra performs in concert several times a year and also performs for various campus functions. Students may enroll for 1 credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after 4 semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.

Chamber Ensembles

The Chamber Ensembles provide students the opportunity to sightread, learn and perform works for various chamber music combinations. The objectives of the ensembles are to develop the skill of the student in performance of chamber music and to increase the student’s knowledge of chamber literature and performance practices. The ensembles meet for approximately one hour weekly. Additional rehearsals with other members on individual works may be expected between each weekly meeting. One or two additional rehearsals before major performances may be required. Participants receive one-half hour credit per semester. Such ensembles are usually formed in the areas of Voice, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, Guitar, and Piano. Occasionally mixed groups may also be formed. Auditions may be necessary for some groups; check with the individual directors.