Denison Musical Ensembles

  • Chamber Singers Ensemble Denison Chamber Singers - The university's mixed choral ensemble which performs music from all historical and stylistic periods from Renaissance to Modern, vocal jazz, folksongs and spirituals. The choir meets Tuesday/Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00pm. The audition consists of vocalizing, rehearsing a choral anthem, and a pitch retention assessment. A prepared solo is not required. Contact Dr. Wei Cheng to set up an audition.
  • The Denison University Concert Choir Concert Choir - is a long-established community/university choir which includes singers from the Granville area, as well as Denison faculty, staff and students who are interested in performing major choral works and other works of interest.  The choir meets on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Audition required. Contact Dr. Wei Cheng to set up an audition.
  • Singer's Theater Workshop is a class for students who sing and enjoy performing on stage. Once a semester the students in the class will present a production with costumes and scenery. Class literature ranges from Broadway musicals to light opera. All students are welcome, but solos are chosen by audition. Belinda Andrews-Smith, director. Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 to 6:00 pm - Burke Recital Hall
  • Denison University Wind Ensemble - The Denison University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Mark A. Wade, is the university’s top ensemble for wind, brass and percussionists. This large ensemble of approximately 55 musicians explores both cutting-edge contemporary literature and traditional staples of the wind band medium.  This elite ensemble presents one concert each semester. Rehearsals are conducted on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:00 in Burke Hall, with sectional rehearsals scheduled on Thursdays as needed- typically every other week.  This allows students to participate in BOTH orchestra AND Wind Ensemble.
    Membership in the Denison University Wind Ensemble is open to all university students (and faculty) with auditions held the first Thursday of each semester. For current audition information, please email Dr. Wade.
  • Orchestra - is a 60 member full symphonic orchestra.  Olev Viro, director. By audition. Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm - Burke Rehearsal Room.
  • Jazz Ensemble - is a large jazz ensemble that performs music ranging from the traditional big band era to contemporary jazz. Pete Mills, director. By audition. Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm - Burke Rehearsal Room
  • Jazz Combo - is a small ensemble open to any instrumentalist or vocalist. Traditional jazz will be the focus along with the music of Brazil, Funk, and Contemporary Jazz/Pop. Tom Carroll, director. Time: Tuesdays 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
  • Bluegrass Ensemble - is dedicated to the traditional instruction (by "ear") of Old-Time and Bluegrass music. The ensemble meets for two hours per week on Fridays from 2:30 pm to 4:30 p.m.   All banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, and guitar "pickers" are welcome.
  • Gospel Choir - Is a 100 plus member choir.  They sing. They clap their hands. They rock and move and sway. Their concerts feature the musical compositions and arrangements of various composers. Milton Ruffin, director. Time: Wednesdays 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm - Swasey Chapel.
  • Brass Ensemble - Jed Hudson, director. Time: Arranged.
  • Composition Seminar - Ching-chu Hu, director.  Time:  Arranged.
  • Flute Ensemble - Leslie Maaser, director. Time: Arranged.
  • Guitar Ensemble - Tom Carroll, director.  Mondays 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
  • Latin Jazz Percussion Ensemble - Seth Rogers, director. Time: Arranged.
  • Oboe Ensemble - Steve Rosenberg, director. Time: Arranged.
  • Piano Chamber Music - Nelson Harper, director.  Time:  Arranged.
  • Saxophone Ensemble - Pete Mills, director. Time: Arranged.
  • String Chamber Ensemble - Cora Kuyvenhoven, director. Time: Arranged.
  • Trumpet Ensemble - Directed and founded by Dr. Mark A. Wade, The Denison University Trumpet Ensemble consists of approximately twelve trumpeters.  Membership is open to all university students and faculty with no audition required.  This dynamic ensemble performs approximately twice a semester and rehearses once a week (TBA).  Their vast repertoire includes everything from Renaissance trumpet motets to antiphonal Gabrielli pieces to big band style Jazz to 21st Century fanfares!  Time:  Arranged.