Resources & Information for EKU Faculty, Staff, and Students

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Music Ensembles

Performance Opportunities

EKU students perform with award-winning ensembles that are regularly invited to national and international festivals and competitions. They study with nationally-recognized and award-winning faculty, guest artists, and clinicians. Approximately 300 undergraduate and graduate students from across the university perform in EKU music ensembles. All ensembles are open to EKU students. Regardless of your major, you can continue to pursue your musical passions at EKU with the flexibility to do as little or as much as you desire.

Some ensembles require auditions, and others are open to all students of the university who register. Auditions are scheduled at the beginning of each semester. Some ensembles include scholarships.

Concert Bands – Large Ensembles

How to Join a Large Ensemble
If you are interested in being a member of one of our concert bands for the fall semester, we encourage you to go ahead and register for the appropriate band class(es). Ensemble auditions are required for all music majors, minors, and those in applied studio lessons. These students are expected to keep their schedules open / flexible to play in instrumental ensembles (Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra) until audition results have been posted.

Large ensemble auditions take place every fall and spring semester and are administered by EKU’s conducting faculty and supported by the applied faculty. We invite you to audition and be a part of the EKU Bands network and legacy!

For more information, contact Dr. Rebekah Daniel at rebekah.daniel@eku.edu.

The Eastern Kentucky University Wind Ensemble (EKUWE) is the university’s premier wind band conducted by Dr. Rebekah A. Daniel. Personnel is determined by audition and consists of the university’s finest undergraduate and graduate wind players and percussionists. The EKU Wind Ensemble is dedicated to the performance of quality and diverse wind music, regardless of period or disposition of instrumental forces, and is committed to expanding the wind ensemble’s repertoire. EKUWE frequently collaborates with guest composers, soloists, and conductors, and has completed several recording projects. Commissioning activity includes works by Pulitzer Prize winners Zhou Long and Jennifer Higdon, and renowned composer, Chen Yi. EKUWE performs multiple concerts on campus and additional concerts off campus, including tours, conferences, and outreach performances.

Course Information: MUS255/455/855
Meeting Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-4:30 pm

The Eastern Kentucky University Concert Band (EKUCB) is a non-auditioned group of wind players and percussionists consisting of music and non-music majors. An audition is encouraged for part assignments. The ensemble performs two concerts each semester presenting exciting and high caliber wind band literature. Flexible instrumentation and player rotation provide members of the ensemble with a variety of responsibilities, challenges, and playing experiences.

Course information: MUS 255B/455B
Meeting Time: Monday and Wednesday 2:30-3:45 pm

Auditions will take place in Gifford Theatre. To register for an audition, complete and submit this form prior to audition day. If you know you are auditioning, we recommend completing the form as soon as possible.

Within the registration form, there are 3 steps to register for the audition:

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the audition process, please contact Dr. Rebekah Daniel at rebekah.daniel@eku.edu.

Rankings and Placement
Auditions are ranked by ensemble directors with the assistance of applied faculty. Results will be shared via email before classes start. If a student auditions for the Wind Ensemble but is not selected, they will be offered a spot in the Concert Band. Students are responsible for finalizing their schedules before the start of classes.

Rehearsals are scheduled to begin during the first week of classes.

Athletic Bands

Questions about athletic bands? Contact Dr. Tim Wiggins, Director of Athletic Bands at timothy.wiggins@eku.edu

The Pride of Kentucky has a long and distinguished tradition as one of the finest marching bands in the Commonwealth. All students at EKU, regardless of major, are welcome to join.

The Marching Colonels offers EKU students a social experience unlike any other on campus, and finding life-long friends is just the beginning. Unlike high school, the band performs several shows each season and in half the rehearsal time.

The Marching Colonels begin their season with Band Camp, just one week before classes start in August. Band Camp is required for all students in the course

Course Information: MUS256
Meeting Time: MWF – 4:40 – 6:40 pm (+ home games)

Benefits

  • $500 Fall scholarship award for participation
  • Priority registration for Spring and Fall registration (This is really important!)
  • Clothing for games that the student gets to keep
  • Food during game days
  • Free early move-in (the week before classes start)
  • Free meals during band camp (the week before classes start)
  • Built-in friendships and camaraderie
  • Perform with 100+ friends in the largest venues on campus to thousands
  • Learn 30+ pieces of music, including five separate shows.
  • Positive and FUN rehearsal and performance environment
  • Support to navigate your first year (academic, emotional, personal, and health)
  • Access to a student leadership program that develops communication, leadership and support skills
  • Additional spring scholarship for participation in the Maroon Machine (pep band)

The Eastern Kentucky University Concert Band (EKUCB) is a non-auditioned group of wind players and percussionists consisting of music and non-music majors. An audition is encouraged for part assignments. The ensemble performs two concerts each semester presenting exciting and high caliber wind band literature. Flexible instrumentation and player rotation provide members of the ensemble with a variety of responsibilities, challenges, and playing experiences.

Course information: MUS 255B/455B
Meeting Time: Monday and Wednesday 2:30-3:45 pm

More details about the Maroon Machine

Choirs

Questions about choir? Contact Dr. Richard Waters, Director of Choirs at richard.waters@eku.edu.

Founded in 2019, EnChor is a non-auditioned ensemble of soprano/mezzo/alto voices open to all students. Members of EnChor represent a variety of academic majors from across campus.

Director: Dr. Jill Campbell
Rehearsals: Tue/Thu, 2:00-3:15 PM
MUS 228A / 428A / 828A

Founded in 2019, Koros is a non-auditioned ensemble of tenor/baritone/bass voices open to all students. Members of Koros represent a variety of academic majors from across campus.

Director: Dr. Richard Waters
Rehearsals: Tue/Thu, 3:30-4:45 PM
MUS 228B / 428B / 828B

University Singers is the premier choral ensemble at EKU. They present several major concerts throughout the year and frequently perform with the Lexington Philharmonic. They have recorded two albums which are available on Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, and at all EKU choir concerts. Membership is by audition.

Director: Dr. Richard Waters
Rehearsals: Mon/Wed/Fri, 2:30-4:25 PM
MUS 226 / 426 / 826

Orchestra

Symphony Orchestra – MUS 235
Premier full orchestra performing the best in orchestral literature from all eras. Open to string students with only a seating audition. Audition required for wind and percussion players.
String seating audition required.
MWF – 2:30 – 4:15 pm

Contact
Dr. David Galant – Director of Orchestras, david.galant@eku.edu

Chamber Ensembles

  • Bluegrass Ensemble
  • Jazz Ensembles
  • Jazz Combos
  • Guitar Ensemble
  • EKos – EKU’s a cappella group
  • Musical Theatre
  • Opera
  • Steel Band

Contact
Dr. Keith Talley, Director of the School of Music, keith.talley@eku.edu

Guitar Studies

Guitar ensembles offer music majors, music minors, and non-music majors an opportunity to continue their guitar playing. The following guitar courses are available each fall and spring semesters in the School of Music.

  • MUS 107 Class Guitar for Non Majors
    This class is designed for non-music majors and those who want to learn how to play guitar or already play at a beginning level.
  • MUS 257/457 Guitar Ensemble
    This “on call” ensemble performs regularly throughout the year and focuses on classical guitar playing. Non-music majors can contact Dr. Dennis Davis at dennis.davis@eku.edu to schedule an audition.
  • MUS 250 Electric Guitar Ensemble
    This ensemble focuses on amplified guitars in various popular styles. Non-music majors can contact Dr. Dennis Davis at dennis.davis@eku.edu to schedule an audition.