Music Department

Performing Ensembles

Choral Ensembles
Elmhurst offers extraordinary opportunities for choral singing on and off campus, in concert and in worship services. Choral groups include Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Choral Union and Women’s Chorus.
 
 

Concert Bands
Elmhurst bands include the Symphonic Band, the Wind Ensemble and the Varsity Band. These groups present formal concerts on campus and off campus, performing traditional, contemporary and popular works. The Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band tour each fall and spring. Each fall the bands feature a guest appearance by a prominent composer such as James Curnow, Sam Hazo, William Himes, Robert Jager, Francis McBeth, Alfred Reed and Robert Sheldon.

Orchestras
The Elmhurst College and Community Orchestras include the Philharmonic Orchestra, Varsity Strings and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. The Philharmonic Orchestra presents three to four major concerts per year, hosts the Elmhurst College World Music Festival and tours domestically and internationally. Guest artists worldwide visit campus to appear with the orchestra.

Small Instrumental Ensembles
Elmhurst student musicians have the opportunity to perform in small groups. Ensembles of three to eight players perform in brass, percussion, string and woodwind groups in recitals and community events.

Guitar Ensembles
The Guitar Ensemble performs classical repertoire and the Gretsch Electric Guitar Ensemble draws inspiration from rock 'n roll and other contemporary forms.

 
Jazz Ensembles
Elmhurst enjoys a national reputation for its jazz program, and its performing groups are the Elmhurst College Jazz Band, the Elmhurst College Lab Band, the vocal jazz ensemble Late Night Blues and the vocal ensemble Blue.