Eastern Mennonite University

Ensembles

practicing in Martin Chapel
swing sisters warm up
sax warm up
Chamber singers-- drumming along
chamber singers in Cuba

Chamber Singers

A select choir of mixed voices that studies and performs choral literature of various periods, styles and cultures. Performances occur both on and off campus; some touring is done each year. The director is Kenneth Nafziger. Audition required.

University Chorale

A large choir of mixed voices, singing music from a variety of eras and cultures. One on-campus concert is scheduled each semester, with an occasional off-campus concert. The director is Kenneth Nafziger. Audition required.

Jazz Ensemble

A big band ensemble (brass, sax, rhythm) that studies and performs a variety of musical styles including ballad, big-band swing, jazz-rock and progressive jazz. The ensemble performs on campus, and in schools and colleges throughout the eastern United States.

Chamber Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra is open to students, faculty and community players interested in playing symphonic music. The repertoire is varied. Several concerts are scheduled each year, occasionally in collaboration with soloists and other student ensembles. The director is Joan Griffing. Audition required.

Chamber Ensemble

Small ensembles of voices and/or instruments which are organized and supervised by the music department. Groups are organized according to the interest and abilities of the students and are coached by various EMU music faculty.

Wind Emsemble

The ensemble of 60 instrumentalists includes approximately 30 EMU students and staff, 20 alumni and community, and 10 high school students representing Shenandoah Valley Academy and Broadway, Eastern Mennonite, Harrisonburg, Spotswood and Turner Ashby High Schools. The repertoire includes both secular and sacred music written for wind ensemble as well as transcriptions from symphony orchestra and choral repertoire. Repertoire is selected to challenge and excite ensemble members and to showcase some of the highly talented members. The Wind Ensemble performs one concert each semester. Rehearsals are held twice weekly for EMU students, once weekly for community members.