Ensembles

Symphonic Band

Conducted by Dr. Mark Fenderson, the Symphonic Band meets Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 11:40 to 12:40. It gives two concerts per year in Cisel Hall (one each semester) and performs at Commencement. In addition, the band performs at area schools. The Symphonic Band is open to all interested students. It is a 1 credit course and the credit can be applied towards the General Education requirement (the course can be repeated for additional GenEd credit).

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Jazz Band

Conducted by Dr. James Robertson, the Jazz Band meets Tuesday/Thursday from 12:10 to 1:40 and gives two concerts per year in Cisel Hall (one each semester). In addition, the group performs at other venues on campus as well as doing additional performances at area schools. The Jazz Band is open to all interested students. It is a 1 credit course and the credit can be applied towards the General Education requirement (the course can be repeated for additional GenEd credit).

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Concert Choir

Conducted by Dr. Chris Sheppard, the Concert Choir meets Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 2:00 to 3:00 and gives two concerts per year (one each semester). The group performs a wide variety of music ranging from masterworks of the choral repertoire to African-American spirituals. The Concert Choir is open to all interested students. It is a 1 credit course and the credit can be applied towards the General Education requirement (the course can be repeated for additional GenEd credit).

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Chamber Singers

Conducted by Dr. Chris Sheppard, Chamber Singers meets Tuesday/Thursday from 1:45 to 3:15 and gives two concerts per year (one each semester). In addition the group performs at Commencement as well as doing additional performances at area schools. Chamber Singers is open to all students, however, students must audition to become members of Chamber Singers.

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Percussion Ensemble

Conducted by Luke Kestner, the MSU-Billings Percussion Ensemble performs diverse music ranging from traditional African improve to 21st century music. The group performs at least once a semester and travels to various areas around Montana. The Ensemble also regularly attends National Music Festivals and Conventions (PASIC). The ensemble is composed of both Percussion Majors and Non-Majors. The group meets Tuesday-Thursday from 4:30-6:00. An audition is required.

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Chamber Ensembles

Opportunities for interested students to work in small ensembles are encouraged. Faculty members coach these ensembles and very often play in them as well, providing a multi-faceted learning situation for the student members. Recent ensembles include a brass ensemble, a saxophone quartet, a low brass quartet, a jazz combo, a brass quintet and a clarinet trio. Through arrangement with the professor these ensembles can be taken for credit.

Basketball Pep Band

The Basketball Pep Band performs at all home games (30 per season). Conducted by Dr. Fenderson, who has many years of experience at Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens, the band plays the standard pep band literature, but uses the opportunity to learn insights into the demanding performance practices of today’s popular music styles. Members of the Basketball Pep Band are paid for each game they play.