Student music opportunities
Many opportunities to sing, play and act are open to all students, regardless of major or class rank. Auditions for most performance groups are held during the first week of fall semester. Credit is available for ensemble participation.
Musical
Each year the communication and theatre department and music department present a musical or opera as part of the May Day/graduation weekend. Participants are chosen by audition.
Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association
Bluffton's chapter of Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association is an active group
which has been commended for chapter growth and/or programming for the past seven
years.
more about OCMEA
Ensembles
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Choral |
Instrumental |
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Other opportunities
- Chamber ensembles
- May Day musical
- Private lessons
Camerata Singers
Camerata Singers, a select chamber choir, performs primarily sacred classical music from various historical periods and the present, spirituals and folk hymns. Camerata Singers is open to all students on an audition basis and rehearses four times weekly. Auditions are held each fall at the beginning of the academic year.
The ensemble frequently performs at functions hosted by the university president and serves as ambassadors for the institution. Camerata Singers tours each year to various parts of the United States.
Camerata Singers was established in 1984 as an outgrowth of a larger mixed choir. The Italian meaning of Camerata is company – a small group that meets for artistic reasons.
Students may sign up either for credit or zero credit. The zero credit option exists for students who are carrying a full load but wish to continue their participation in the choir.
Concert Band
The Bluffton University Concert Band, open to all wind, brass and percussion players, performs a variety of classical and pops literature in concerts both on-campus and in the community. We strive to offer quality musical performances with thought-provoking programming.
Members do not need to audition for the band unless they wish to be considered for seating placement. Membership consists of music majors and non-majors from a wide cross-section of campus. Concert Band rehearses twice a week: Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 -3:50 p.m.
Students may sign up either for credit or zero credit. The zero credit option exists for students who are carrying a full load but wish to continue their participation in the ensemble.
Contact Roy Couch for more information.
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble studies and performs music in various contemporary popular idioms, including jazz improvisation. The ensemble performs three on-campus concerts each year and regularly presents concerts off campus. Membership is open to all students at Bluffton based on an audition at the beginning of fall semester. Each term we explore several musical styles including swing, ballad, Latin, rock and modern jazz compositions. Current and prospective students are invited to sit-in on a rehearsal or attend a concert. Contact Andrew Liebermann for more information.
Pep Band
The Bluffton University Pep Band is a student ensemble open to all brass, wind and percussion students, both majors and non-majors. The Pep Band performs in the stands at all home football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball games. Members do not need to audition and rehearsals are limited to several meetings early in the fall semester. Instruments can be provided if needed at no cost to the student. Pep Band members must commit to performing at the home games and are compensated under a Supplemental Work Agreement.
Contact Dr. Roy Couch for more information.
Choral Society
Choral Society, a large university/community chorus, performs a major choral/orchestral works each semester. Membership is open to any student or community member.
Each fall the Choral Society performs G. F. Handel's Messiah with an orchestra and professional soloists. In the spring, the choir performs for the annual Bach Festival. Recent Bach Festival works include Mozart's Requiem, a variety of Bach cantatas, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb and Brahms' Requiem.
Students may sign up either for credit or zero credit. The zero credit option exists for students who are carrying a full load but wish to continue their participation in the choir.
Gospel Choir
The Bluffton Gospel Choir was formed in 2010 by Dr. Crystal Sellers Battle, associate professor of music. About half of its members are Bluffton students; the others are faculty and community members.
"I am very excited about introducing the Bluffton University Gospel Choir to the community and sharing the music that is such an important part of my life," she says. "Starting this choir has been so rewarding. I see the members not only excited about embracing this style of music but also enjoying their time singing together."
There are no auditions for the group, which practices weekly in the Mosiman Hall Gilliom Room.
Now working on a textbook on the teaching of gospel singing, Battle says her research factored into university and music department interest in formation of the new choir. "It wasn't a really long process," says Battle, who hopes the group will attract prospective gospel singers from the area and provide a setting where they can connect.
Contact Dr. Crystal Sellers Battle for more information.
Theatre
Typically two performances are staged annually, a drama or comedy production in the
fall, and a musical in the spring on May Day/graduation weekend.
>>> more about theatre opportunities
University Chorale
University Chorale is a large mixed ensemble focused on diverse repertoire including global, contemporary and traditional sacred and secular music.
Contact Natalie Mallis for more information