Ensembles
Are you an ECU student? If so, the School of Music welcomes you to enroll in an ensemble!
- Large Ensembles
- Jazz-Related Ensembles
- Additional Ensembles
- Sports Related Ensembles
- Vocal Ensembles
The Chamber Singers, the select choral ensemble at ECU, is composed of 34-40 auditioned singers, most of whom are voice majors from within the School of Music. The group tours annually and has performed by invitation at international choral competitions, regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the National Association for Music Education. [ Contact Dr. James Franklin, director ]
Concert Band
Approximately 70 students take part in the Concert Band, enjoying continued musical involvement at the university level without excessive performance pressures or rehearsal time. There are no auditions, and membership is open to all University students. [Contact Dr. William Staub, Director of Bands]
Composed of music majors and non-majors, this ensemble performs accompanied and unaccompanied repertoire for soprano and alto voices. They typically present two concerts per semester, in venues both on and off-campus, frequently in conjunction with the University Chorale. All students registered should complete a voice placement audition during the first week of classes. [ Contact Dr. Jami Rhodes, director ]
The Symphony Orchestra performs several times each year, playing a wide variety of literature chosen from standard orchestral repertoire, contemporary works, music for smaller instrumentation or chamber orchestra, as well as works for full orchestra. The ECU Symphony is open to music majors and to musicians who choose to major in other disciplines. Contact Dr. Richter for audition information. [Contact Dr. Jorge Richter, conductor]
As the dominant spirit organization on campus, the band entertains more than three-hundred thousand fans each year at ECU and National Football League games, as well as regional high school marching band festivals. The band’s unique style combines exciting arrangements of diverse musical styles with traditional and contemporary drill design. [Contact Dr. Joe Busuito, associate director of bands, director of athletic bands]
East Carolina University’s Opera Theater is committed to giving students the opportunity to learn the requisite skills for performing in opera and musical theater. It has become the tradition in the past ten years to produce two works each academic year, in addition to occasional smaller scale offerings and educational opera outreach for children. Professors oversee the productions — working closely with students to achieve the highest possible caliber of opera for our community. A wide variety of operatic offerings at ECU has included standard works by Mozart, Handel, and Puccini, as well as lesser-known operas by Britten, Blow, Menotti, and Rorem. Opera Theater holds auditions in the spring and fall of each year for its upcoming productions. [ Contact Dr. Daniel Shirley, director]
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band has approximately seventy woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists. Although most of the members of this group are music majors, students from other disciplines also participate. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester. Each year, the band presents four concerts of established wind band repertoire as well as contemporary band literature. [Contact Dr. Joe Busuito, associate director of bands, director of athletic bands]
Composed of music majors and non-majors, this ensemble performs accompanied and unaccompanied repertoire for SATB voices. They typically present two concerts per semester, in venues both on and off-campus, frequently in conjunction with the Concert Choir. All students registered should complete a voice placement audition during the first week of classes. [ Contact Dr. James Franklin, director ]
Wind Ensemble
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is composed of the most outstanding wind and percussion students in the School of Music. The group is dedicated to the study and performance of the finest wind repertoire regardless of historical period or disposition of instrumental forces. The ensemble had performed original compositions under such well-known composers as Karel Husa, Vincent Persichetti, Vittorio Giannini, Martin Mailman, Jack Stamp and Ron Nelson. Membership by audition. [Contact Dr. William Staub]
Jazz Ensemble “A”
The award-winning East Carolina University Jazz Ensemble “A” (ECUJE) is the select touring group of the East Carolina University School of Music Jazz Studies Program. The ensemble has earned international recognition as one of the premiere university jazz ensembles from the state of North Carolina. Contact Dr. Bair for audition information. [Contact Dr. Jeffrey Bair]
Jazz Ensemble “B”
The lab band for jazz studies; no audition required. [Contact Dr. Jeffrey Bair]
Guitar Ensemble
The ECU Guitar Ensemble is open to guitar students, mostly music majors, with experience in classical guitar. Students who have taken the non-music major group guitar sequence are welcome to participate as well. The ensemble has toured across the southeastern US and performs in recital every semester on campus. Students participate in a variety of ensemble experiences including small and large guitar ensembles as well as performing with other types of instruments. [Contact Dr. Elliot Frank, director]
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble is a chamber ensemble specializing in music composed exclusively for percussion instruments. Music in all styles; contemporary art music,ethnic ensemble, pop, jazz etc. are all performed. Membership is by audition and is primarily intended for upper level music undergraduates and graduate music students. [Dr. Quinton Mallette, director]
Percussion Players
This ensemble performs music intended only for percussion instruments and in a wide variety of styles. Freshmen, sophomores and non-majors (by audition) are welcome to perform in this ensemble where in addition to a focus on performing, time is spent teaching the techniques necessary for performing on a wide variety of percussion instruments. [Dr. Quinton Mallette, director]
The Early Music Collective (ECU Early Music Ensemble)
Zamba Yawar (ECU Afro-Latin Ensemble)
This World Music ensemble specializes in the traditional music from the Andean highlands and the creole expressions from the Pacific coast of South America. The group performs vocal and instrumental repertoire using a variety of authentic, traditional non-Western instruments. Ensemble participation is by audition. [Contact Dr. Mario Rey, director]
Basketball Pep Band
The ECU Basketball Pep Band consists of 40 students representing many degrees from across campus. The band performs at all men’s and women’s basketball home games as well as the men’s and women’s American Athletic Conference tournaments. Members of the band receive academic credit for participation and are paid for each performance. [Contact Dr. Joe Busuito, associate director of bands, director of athletic bands]
Marching Pirates
As the dominant spirit organization on campus, the band entertains more than three-hundred thousand fans each year at ECU and National Football League games, as well as regional high school marching band festivals. The band’s unique style combines exciting arrangements of diverse musical styles with traditional and contemporary drill design. [Contact Dr. Joe Busuito, associate director of bands, director of athletic bands]
East Carolina University’s Opera Theater is committed to giving students the opportunity to learn the requisite skills for performing in opera and musical theater. It has become the tradition in the past ten years to produce two works each academic year, in addition to occasional smaller scale offerings and educational opera outreach for children. Professors oversee the productions — working closely with students to achieve the highest possible caliber of opera for our community. A wide variety of operatic offerings at ECU has included standard works by Mozart, Handel, and Puccini, as well as lesser-known operas by Britten, Blow, Menotti, and Rorem. Opera Theater holds auditions in the spring and fall of each year for its upcoming productions.