You need Adobe's Flash Player in order to view this content. You may get it through Adobe's Web site.

Ensembles

UCF Music hosts a wide variety of solo, chamber and large-ensemble experiences that encourage the development of artistic performance skills. Collaborations with local theme parks, the Orlando Opera, the Orlando Philharmonic, other local orchestras and universities, as well as European travel and study, provide additional opportunities for your musical growth and professional experience. All ensembles are open to all UCF students.

Ensembles List

Major Ensembles

  • Concert Band

    The UCF Concert Band, conducted by Michael J. Garasi and Ron Ellis, is comprised of musicians representing almost every major on the UCF campus. The group performs a comprehensive mix of contemporary and traditional wind band literature and orchestral transcriptions. The UCF Concert Band rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall, and performs 2-3 concerts per semester. No audition is required for the UCF Concert Band in the Fall, however audition is required for the Spring.

  • Jazz Lab

    Jazz Ensemble I and II are designed to meet the needs of our jazz majors as well as music education majors interested in gaining experience in jazz performance techniques and jazz pedagogy. The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Chamber Group have active performance schedules and work with many distinguished guests, including Sam Rivers, Michael Phillip Mossman, and James Moody.

    Click here for Jazz ensemble audition information. Find out more about Jazz Studies at UCF.

  • Marching Knights

    The Marching Knights are known for our high energy performances, unique and contemporary drill designs, and musical selections ranging from jazz, to pop, to classical.

    Visit the Marching Knights Web site for more information about the Marching Knights and audition requirements.

  • University Band

    The University Band rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  • University Chorus

    The University Chorus is comprised of 75 singers from the music department and the university at large. They rehearse throughout the school year and present performances in the Orlando area each semester. They have sung concerts with themes of social justice (Spirit of the Child, a benefit for the Children's Home Society of Central Florida, and PeaceWorks, with jazz and middle Eastern musicians), and performed major works with the University Orchestra, including Holst's The Planets, Bach's Magnificat, Haydn's Missa Brevis Sancti Johannes de Deo, Orff's Carmina Burana, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, Schubert's Mass in Eb, the Faure Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Ravel's L'enfant et les Sortileges, and both the Poulenc and Rutter Glorias.

    In addition, they collaborated in an innovative production of Orff's Carmina Burana with the Orlando Opera and Cirque du Soleil, and have performed Copland's Old American Songs and Beethoven's Choral Fantasy with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the 9th Symphony with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Edo de Waart, with the Russian State Symphony, and at the International Cathedral Music Festival at Canterbury Cathedral and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Other performances include the New York premiere of David Brunner's Ode to the Present and Future Days at Carnegie Hall, the Bach Magnificat and premiere of Cantate Domino by John Rutter under the composer's direction at Lincoln Center, and a production of Aida with the Orlando Opera Company. This year they perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Christopher Wilkins.

    The University Chorus have been featured on 90.7 WMFE's Central Florida in Concert; sung for national conventions of the American School Board Association, the American Bankers Association and the National Consortium for Academic Excellence in Sports, the Florida convention of the American Choral Directors Association and the Florida ACDA Collegiate Choral Festival; performed with Vanessa Williams at the Daytona 500 and sung the national anthem at homecoming football games of UCF's Golden Knights.

    They have worked with conductor Doreen Rao, composer David Dickau, and Dalcroize specialist David Frego, and premiered new works by Francisco Nuñez and Stella Sung. Tour performances have included venues in Chicago, Carnegie Hall, and Canterbury Cathedral, Rochester Cathedral and Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.

    Membership is open to all students of the university by audition at the beginning of each semester. Contact David Brunner to arrange an audition.

  • UCF Symphony Orchestra

    The UCF Symphony Orchestra numbers between 65 and 75 musicians each year. Nearly all of the membership is students, with a few gifted community participants, as well. Works for full orchestra, from Bach to the present, are rehearsed and performed. The UCF Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Women's Chorus

    The Women's Chorus is an ensemble of women who sing a variety of repertoire from all styles and languages, including treble music of world cultures, vocal jazz and musical theater. They perform each semester in concerts in and around Orlando, including civic functions and school performances. They have sung Holst's The Planets with the University Orchestra and this year they perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Christopher Wilkins. Members of the Women's Chorus will also participate in the 2009 Florida ACDA Women's Collegiate Honor Choir.

    Membership is open to all students of the university by audition at the beginning of each semester. Contact David Brunner to arrange an audition.

  • UCF Wind Ensemble

    The UCF Wind Ensemble, conducted by Michael J. Garasi, is the premiere performing ensemble of the University of Central Florida Bands. Performing the finest available repertoire, the ensemble's performances include traditional wind band literature, one-per-part chamber works, orchestral transcriptions and premiere performances of new compositions in the wind band genre. The UCF Wind Ensemble rehearses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during the fall and spring semesters from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall, and performs 2-3 concerts per semester. Membership in the UCF Wind Ensemble is by audition each semester and is open to any UCF student regardless of major.


Minor Ensembles

  • Brass

  • Chamber Music

    Coaching is available from string faculty to only selected groups. Groups are required to rehearse at least 3-4 hours weekly in order to receive coaching. This ensemble meets Wednesday, 3 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.

  • Jazz Combo

    Jazz Ensemble I and II are designed to meet the needs of our jazz majors as well as music education majors interested in gaining experience in jazz performance techniques and jazz pedagogy. The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Chamber Group have active performance schedules and work with many distinguished guests, including Sam Rivers, Michael Phillip Mossman, and James Moody.

    Click here for Jazz ensemble audition information. Find out more about Jazz Studies at UCF.

  • Madrigal Singers

    The Madrigal Singers are a select mixed voice ensemble of advanced singers specializing in chamber music of diverse styles. For thirty years they presented the popular Madrigal Feaste at the University and have been seen on the CBS and ABC affiliates in Orlando, featured on "The Arts Connection" for WMFE 90.7, and have recorded excerpts from the annual Madrigal Feaste and performed on the compact disc recording We Are the Music-Makers: The Choral Music of David Brunner. They have also performed on numerous occasions for Bach's Lunch at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, and at the Florida Music Educators Associate state conference in Tampa and Southern Division MENC Conferences in both Savannah, Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee. They have collaborated with Opera UCF in a production of Double Trouble and perform frequently for community functions and high school choral organizations.

    Membership is open to all students of the university by audition at the beginning of each semester. Contact David Brunner to arrange an audition.

  • Opera Workshop

    Participation in the Opera program is open to all UCF students through audition. Performances include an Opera Gala Concert each fall, a fully staged opera production each spring, and a children's opera program touring schools in the area throughout the year. Find out more about the Opera program.

  • Percussion

    There are several performing percussion ensembles, including the Large Pop/World Percussion Ensemble, the Chamber Percussion Ensemble, the Mallet Ensemble, the "Black Steel" Steel Drum Band, and the UCF Marching Knights Drumline. Find out more about the Percussion studio at UCF.

  • Piano

  • String

    This select ensemble of 15-18 musicians requires an audition. The string orchestra repertoire is performed, along with numerous classical and contemporary works, which might include a few winds. It is essential to possess a high level of technical skill on violin, viola, cello or bass and have orchestral experience.

  • Women's Chorus

    The Women's Chorus is an ensemble of women who sing a variety of repertoire from all styles and languages, including treble music of world cultures, vocal jazz and musical theater. They perform each semester in concerts in and around Orlando, including civic functions and school performances. They have sung Holst's The Planets with the University Orchestra and this year they perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Christopher Wilkins. Members of the Women's Chorus will also participate in the 2009 Florida ACDA Women's Collegiate Honor Choir.

    Membership is open to all students of the university by audition at the beginning of each semester. Contact David Brunner to arrange an audition.

  • University Band

    The University Band rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.


Ensemble Auditions