Concert Ensembles

Wind Orchestra

The Wind Orchestra is Indiana State University premier wind band, comprised of the most proficient woodwind, brass, and percussion performers. Recognized for its excellence, the ensemble has earned its reputation by superb concert performances at ISU's Tilson Music Hall, concert tours throughout the state of Indiana, and performances at music conferences in the region and throughout the nation, including a CBDNA Regional in Iowa, the Atlanta International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Indiana Music Educators, and the Music Educators National Conference.

In May of 2001, the group traveled to Tajimi, Japan (sister city of Terre Haute) for a series of concerts at the 34th Annual Cultural Festival. ISU students performed before over 5,000 members of that community during their six-day residency. Performances by the Wind Orchestra include compositions that require varied and specialized instrumentation in addition to new and traditional music for the wind band from composers of varied ethnic and musical backgrounds. The ensemble has recorded compact discs on the Truemedia, Brain, and ELF labels. These recordings are regularly featured on National Public Radio stations throughout the United States. Guest artists including Karel Husa, Frederick Fennell, John Paynter, Philip Smith, Diane Bish, Vincent DiMartino, William Warfield, Eugene Rousseau, and Yeh Shu-Han frequently appear with the organization.

Conductor: Dr. Eric Scott
Rehearsal Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays : 12:05pm to 1:35pm
Rehearsal Location: CRH (Landini Performing Arts, 159)

Concert Band

The ISU Concert Band is a non-auditioned ensemble that is open to all wind and percussion players. This ensemble is primarily made up of non-music majors, music majors seeking more playing opportunities, majors learning secondary instruments, and adult musicians from the community. Concert Band meets on Tuesday nights, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. During the Fall semester, the Concert Band also serves as a lab band for music education students, and presents three concerts (two student conductor concerts, held in Rm. 159 of the Landini Building, and one regular concert in Tilson Music Hall). During the Spring semester, the band performs one or two concerts, in Tilson Music Hall.

Rehearsal Time: Tuesdays: 6:00 to 8:00pm
Rehearsal Location: CRH (Landini Performing Arts, 159)

Jazz Ensembles

Jazz Combos

Course: MUS 253J/453PJ

Jazz Combos are small improvisation groups of four to eight players who perform and study standard jazz repertoire from be-bop to modern jazz. The focus is upon developing improvisation skills and building a personal repertoire of standard jazz tunes. Combos are open to all ISU students and are taught and coached by music faculty.

Jazz Ensemble

Course: MUS 288/488

The ISU Jazz Ensemble is selected by audition from the Indiana State University student body and is open to music majors and non-majors. The ensemble performs a full range of styles from the best jazz charts of traditional swing to be-bop and fusion. Each year this ensemble plays several concerts both on and off campus.

In recent years the group has presented concerts in Hobart, Indianapolis, Columbus, Princeton, Peru, New Castle, Jeffersonville, Evansville, and Jasper. The Jazz Ensemble has joined forces with the nationally recognized Public Service Indiana's Powerful Performances program to present jazz concerts in many Indiana cities and towns.

In conjunction with the ISU chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the band annually hosts a major jazz festival each February.

Performances with guest artists are a regular feature of the ISU Jazz Ensemble. The band has performed with artists such as J.J. Johnson, James Moody, Art Pepper, Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Gary Burton, Jamey Aebersold, and Randy Purcell. Most recently, the band has performed with Jiggs Whigham, John von Ohlen, Pat Harbison, Mike Tracy, and Tony Sweet.

Tuesdays/Thursdays: 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Room: 159 Landini

Percussion Ensembles

Percussion Ensemble

Course: MUS 253P/453P

The ISU Percussion Ensemble is one of eight performance groups in which percussionists may participate at Indiana State University. The ensemble is primarily composed of music education, music business, and percussion performance majors; but is also open to percussionists within the ISU. Community who are not majoring in music. Incorporating a varied array of percussion instruments and eclectic repertoire, the ISU Percussion Ensemble seeks to heighten its performers musical sensitivity and technical proficiency through the study of chamber music. Compositions performed by the ensemble vary from requiring as few as 3 players, to as many as 25. The Indiana Music Educator's State Conference and The Indiana Day of Percussion are events in which the ensemble often participates.

Steel Drum Ensemble

Course: MUS 253Q/453Q

The ISU Steel Drum Band is one of eight performance groups in which percussionists may participate at Indiana State University. The main objective of ISU's steel drum band is to give students the opportunity to explore the performance and pedagogical traditions associated with this exciting Non-Western art form. The ensemble's repertoire includes calypso, classical, jazz, pop, and reggae selections. Highly regarded in Indiana, the ISU Steel Drum Band enjoys an active touring schedule throughout the state.

University Symphony

Course: MUS 259/459/559

The ISU Symphony Orchestra is a full orchestra of the best instrumental students in the School of Music. The orchestra performs 4–6 times each year and rehearses Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 – 5:30. The orchestra is open by audition to both music majors and non-music majors alike. The orchestra performs a wide variety of repertoire including symphonies, concertos, operatic repertoire, and masterworks with choir. The orchestra frequently collaborates with faculty soloists and guest artists and has worked with many living composers during our regular season and as a part of the annual Contemporary Music Festival. Each year the orchestra also features student soloists as winners of the annual Paul W. Hagan Concerto/Aria Competition. Recent repertoire highlights include Dvorak Symphony No. 8, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Gershwin’s an American in Paris, Joan Tower’s Piano Concerto (with the composer present!), Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, Beethoven Symphony No. 7, and many others.

For information about the special string's scholarship for incoming students, please visit the Sycamore String Quartet Program Scholarship.

For more information about the University Symphony, please contact Dr. Yunjung Lee.
Phone: (812) 237-2742
Email: Yunjung.Lee@indstate.edu