Instrumental Ensembles

MURRAY STATE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

(open to trumpet players)

Racer Band (John Fannin, Director)

The 244-piece Racer Band is an exciting group made up of musicians from all curricula in the university (60-70% non-music majors). Students in the marching band receive a stipend in recognition of their contributions to the university. The Racer Band annually performs at all MSU home football games, local parades, and off-campus marching band festivals. The highlight of each Racer Band season is hosting the MSU Festival of Champions marching competition. For information go to their website.

Wind Ensemble (Dennis Johnson, Conductor)

Auditions for Symphonic Wind Ensemble are held at the beginning of each semester. Audition information is posted in the Department of Music on the 3rd and 5th floors of the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble meets Monday through Friday, 12:30 pm - 1:20 pm and performs two or three concerts each semester. The wind ensemble also makes state, national, and international tours.

Symphonic Band (John Fannin, Conductor)

Part assignment auditions for Symphonic Band are held at the beginning of the spring semester. Audition information is posted in the Department of Music on the 3rd and 5th floors of the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building.

Symphonic Band meets Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 4:50 pm and performs two concerts each semester.

Concert Band

Concert Band is our newest instrumental ensemble and meets on Monday and Wednesday at 3:30pm. There is no audition required for admission however a facility on an instrument to perform music at a grade 4 level is necessary. The ensemble performs just once a semester and is conducted by Dennis Johnson, John Fannin, Todd Hill and graduate conducting students.

Symphony Orchestra (Dennis Johnson, Conductor)

Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester. Audition information is posted in the Department of Music, Doyle Fine Arts Builiding on the 3rd and 5th floors.

The Symphony Orchestra meets on Monday from 6:30 to 8:20, and on Thursday from 2:30 to 3:50. Two to three concerts are given per semester.

Trumpet Ensemble (Eric Swisher/Kyle Millsap, Directors)

Everyone enrolled in Applied Trumpet Lessons also participates in Trumpet Ensemble. At times all the trumpeters come together for a large ensemble, but most of your time will be spent in smaller ensembles of 6-8 members. The premier trumpet ensemble participates in the National Trumpet Competition every Spring. All ensembles perform in the Brass Chamber Music Recitals held every semester.

Jazz Orchestra (Todd Hill, Director)

Jazz Ensemble I meets during both fall and spring semesters and performs jazz standards and originals of the highest possible standards in an environment that encourages creativity and improvisation. This group will present one or two concerts per semester, plus other potential performances. Dress black concert attire is required as well as another less formal option.

Jazz Band (Todd Hill, Director)

Jazz Ensemble II meets during the spring semester and performs the standards of the jazz literature. Improvisation is taught and encouraged. This group will present two concerts during the semester for which the dress is variable.

Brass Choir

Jazz Combos (Todd Hill, Director)

Jazz Combos will be formed by ability level at the director's discretion and will meet in the Jazz Suite at times to be determined. The art of improvisation will be the area of greatest concentration. These groups will perform in various settings on the campus and in the community.

Brass Quintets (Eric Swisher, Ray Conklin and John Dressler, Directors)

See Ray Conklin if you are interested in performing in a Brass Quintet. All quintets perform in the Brass Chamber Music Recitals held every semester. Other performances off campus are typical for the brass quintets as well.

Brass Choir (Ray Conklin, Conductor)

See Ray Conklin if you are interested in performing in the Brass Choir. The Brass Choir performs in the Brass Chamber Music Recitals held every semester.

Pep Band (John Fannin, Director)

This ensemble starts meeting the last week in October each year. Contact John Fannin for more details. This is a volunteer group. There is a small stipend for those who finish the season successfully. Travel to OVC tournament and NCAA are also possible for successful members

Murray State University

Trumpet Studio