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[ Music ]
Performing Ensembles
Whether you play the tuba or sing the blues, Elmhurst has a performing ensemble for you. Several of our ensembles go on regular tours of the nation or the world, and are nationally and internationally known. The Jazz Band, for example, has made numerous tours of both Eastern and Western Europe, twice at the invitation of the U.S. State Department, and appears frequently with such well-known jazz artists as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nicholas Payton, Clark Terry, and Randy Brecker.
Performing ensembles at Elmhurst include:
College Choir
Women's Chorus
Chamber Singers
Choral Union
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Elmhurst College and Community Band
Jazz Band
Percussion Ensemble
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Guitar Ensemble (Classical)
Gretsch Guitar Ensemble
Jazz Combos
College Choir
The Choir is a well-known and active organization that performs a wide variety of choral literature. It takes an extended tour each spring. The group also presents concerts and sings for worship services on campus and in the Chicago area. Membership is gained through auditions held at the beginning of each semester.
Director: Susan Moninger
Women's Chorus
The Women's Chorus performs choral literature from a variety of historical periods. Emphasis is placed on vocal technique for the female voice and vocal pedagogy. This group performs several times a year with the choir. Membership is gained through auditions held at the beginning of each semester.
Director: Debora Utley
Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers is an ensemble that specializes in advanced choral literature from the Medieval through the Classical period with an emphasis on a capella singing. The group performs several times a year on campus and off campus at banquets, restaurants, nursing homes and private parties, especially during the Christmas season. Membership is gained through auditions held at the beginning of each semester.
Director: Susan Moninger
Elmhurst Choral Union
The Elmhurst Choral Union is a community-based oratorio society with membership ranging in age from 18 to 87. Membership is gained through auditions held at the beginning of each semester. For more information, see the Choral Union's Web site.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
The Vocal Jazz Ensemble, also known as Late Night Blues, is an internationally acclaimed group that performs a variety of styles of music including jazz, funk, swing, and pop. The students' non-stop energy, talent and professional standards have brought the group elite status as one of the most exciting collegiate vocal jazz ensembles in the United States.
Late Night Blues has won numerous honors and awards at the Collegiate Showcase Festival in Chicago. In addition to giving concerts frequently in the Chicago area, the group has been invited to perform at the International Association of Jazz Educators Convention, the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Music Conference, and John Jacobson's "America Sings" Festival. Audition required.
Director: Susan Moninger
Elmhurst College and Community Band
The Elmhurst College and Community Band is an outstanding ensemble of college students and community members. The group presents formal concerts on- and off-campus, performing traditional, contemporary and popular works. Each fall the band features a guest appearance by a prominent composer such as Francis McBeth, Alfred Reed, Robert Jager, James Curnow, and Robert Himes.
Within the larger symphonic ensemble is a college wind ensemble that tours each fall and spring. Members of this ensemble travel to Jamaica each June to serve as the anchor for the Western Jamaica International Music Festival.
Director: Judith Grimes
Jazz Band
The Elmhurst College Jazz Band has gained international acclaim as a truly outstanding collegiate jazz ensemble. Under the direction of Doug Beach, the band has received outstanding ratings at jazz festivals from many jazz greats including Clark Terry, Lee Konitz, Conte Candoli, Pete Christlieb, Greg Hopkins, Jiggs Whigham, Rob McConnell, and Bob Brookmeyer.
The band has toured 17 nations and has twice been honored with invitations from the U.S. State Department to tour Europe. Frequent performances with well-known guest artists are a regular part of the band's schedule. Recent artists have included Bobby Shew, Louie Bellson, Pete Christlieb, Conte Candoli, Diane Schuur, Terry Gibbs, Lee Konitz, Denis DiBlasio, Clark Terry, Chris Vadala, and Frank Mantooth. In addition, the band has commissioned a number of original works from such well-known composers as Bill Holman, Alan Broadbent and Denis DiBlasio.
The band also hosts the annual Elmhurst College Jazz Festival, a major event that attracts the best jazz bands from around the country and is adjudicated by the greatest names in jazz today. The band has produced numerous recordings, all available on CD.
The Jazz Band is open by audition. For more information about the Jazz Band, see our recent article in Prospect (pdf format).
Director: Doug Beach
Percussion Ensemble
The Elmhurst College Percussion Ensemble was formed in 1993 with the goal of introducing its members to high-quality music written or transcribed for percussion instruments. The ensemble presents concerts both on and off campus.
Director: Bob Rummage
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is an 80-member student and community organization that rehearses and presents concerts on campus. For more information, see the Elmhurst Symphony's Web site.
Guitar Ensemble (Classical)
The Guitar Ensemble performs classical repertoire at festivals and concerts throughout the year. This small group provides an intimate performing experience for four or five guitarists. Open by audition.
Director: Steve Suvada
Gretsch Guitar Ensemble (Electric)
The Gretsch Guitar Ensemble performs music by musicians such as Frank Zappa. The group, which is open by audition, includes seven to eight guitarists and a rhythm section.
Director: Chris Siebold
Jazz Combos
In Jazz Combos, student musicians come together in small-group settings to perform a variety of jazz styles. Students are placed in an appropriate group after audition, and all the combos perform each semester at the Silverado Grill in Elmhurst.
Director: Doug Beach
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