​ensembleEnsembles

Symphony Orchestra
Patrick Miles, Symphony Director (NFAC 322, 346-2027, pmiles@uwsp.edu). The Symphony Orchestra performs the standard symphonic literature as well as works by contemporary composers and collaborates with the opera workshop and choirs in performances. It is open to any university student through audition.
 

Rehearsals: Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00-2:50 PM.
Registration: Music 342, Section 1, 1 or 2 credits.
*String seating auditions will take place during the first week of classes at the regularly scheduled time for orchestra rehearsals. 

Large Jazz Ensemble
Large Jazz Ensembles include UWSP Jazz Ensemble-Mathew Buchman, Director (NFAC 321, 346-4054, mbuchman@uwsp.edu) and Jazz Lab Band-Brent Turney, Director (NFAC 335, 346-4049, bturney@uwsp.edu) Both section have several performances throughout the year. These ensembles are open to any university student through audition.
 

Rehearsals: Daily, 11:00 - 11:50 AM.
Registration: Music 345/545, Section 1 and 2, 1 credit.

 

​Choral Ensembles

Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is a select, SATB choir open to any university student through audition. This group of 32-40 singers performs a wide variety of repertoire from all stylistic periods.

Choral Union
The Choral Union is the largest choral group at the university and is open to any university student; a minimal audition is required during the first week of classes each semester. Although some repertoire is chosen for women's chorus and men’s chorus, the majority of the music is for SATB choir.

Women's Choir
The Women’s Choir performs a wide variety of repertoire for women’s voices. It is open to any university student; a minimal audition is required during the first week of classes each semester.

Chamber Singers
The UWSP Chamber Singers meet in the fall semester and explores small ensemble repertoire ranging from madrigals to contemporary music. It is open to any university student through audition.

Orchestra

 
The UWSP Symphony Orchestra is renowned for its performance of both the standard orchestral repertoire as well as contemporary music. Selected through an audition process, the ensemble is made up of students from across the university. While the majority of players are music majors or minors, many other fields of study are represented including Communications, Biology, Environmental Education and others. The ensemble rehearses twice a week and performs several concerts per year. In addition, the orchestra hosts an annual high school string festival each February. The orchestra also combines with the UWSP choirs on a bi-annual basis to present the great orchestra/choral works. Some of the literature the UWSPSO has performed in recent years includes Mahler's Symphony #4, Beethoven Symphony #3 and #7, Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements, Orff's Carmina Burana, Mozart's Requiem, Bartok's Dance Suite, Tchaikovsky Symphonies #4 and #5 and Gustav Holst's The Planets. The orchestra has been conducted by Dr. Patrick Miles since 1990. Top students in the orchestra may be invited to audition for the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra as well.

Wind Bands

Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble includes the finest wind and percussion players on campus. This ensemble utilizes a varying instrumentation and performs wind band and chamber wind repertoire of distinction. It is open to any university student through audition.
 
Concert Band
The Concert Band performs full symphonic band literature. This select group presents significant contemporary and traditional repertoire. It is open to any university student through audition.
 
Campus Band
The Campus Band performs concert music in a variety of styles and is open to any university student; no audition is required.
 
Pointer Pep Band
The Pointer Pep Band performs at basketball and hockey games. Playing positions are guaranteed to performers of every ability; no audition is required. The group performs from October 15 through March 15.

Jazz Ensemble

Large Jazz Ensemble
Large Jazz Ensembles include UWSP Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band with several performances throughout the year. These ensembles are open to any university student through audition.
 
Small Jazz Ensemble
​Small Jazz Ensembles are open to any university student – vocalist or instrumentalist - through audition. The ensembles serve as a means to explore jazz improvisation in a class and performance format. Beyond curricular activities, students participate in annual Jazz Repertory Concerts, Jazz Composer's Concerts, UWSP Jazz Festival, The Riverfront Jazz Festival, biweekly jam sessions at the Dreyfus University Center, and student jazz recitals.