The concert ensembles within the A-State Band Program provide both music and non-music majors the opportunity to perform a broad spectrum of the finest repertoire for woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Ensembles can be taken for 0 credits or 1 credit at either the lower of upper undergraduate level or graduate level. The wide offering of concert ensembles that A-State has to offer are listed below.
Wind Ensemble
The A-State Wind Ensemble is comprised of approximately 50 of the finest graduate and undergraduate student musicians at Arkansas State University. The configuration of the wind ensemble is unique in that one or sometimes two musicians play each individual part written by the composer. This defining characteristic makes the ensemble quite flexible and ideal for exploring a wide variety of instrumental combinations and musical styles. While the majority of participants are music majors, non-music majors compete equally for positions within the ensemble. The Wind Ensemble performs two to three concerts on-campus each semester.
Auditions are held the first week of classes in August for the Fall semester and the first week of classes in January for the Spring semester.
Timothy Oliver conducts the Wind Ensemble, which meets Tuesday and Thursdays from 12:30-1:50 and Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:00-12:50 during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Symphonic Winds
The A-State Symphonic Winds is comprised of accomplished wind and percussion players including music majors and non-majors from throughout the university. The band, which performs one concert in the fall and two concerts in the spring semester, plays traditional and contemporary repertoire that uses full and reduced instrumentation.
Auditions for the A-State Symphonic Winds are held during the first week of classes in August for the Fall semester and the first week of classes in January for the Spring semester.
Sarah Labovitz conducts the Symphonic Band, which meets on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 in the fall and Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:00 and Fridays from 3:00 to 4:00 during the Spring Semester.
Concert Band
The A-State concert band is comprised of mostly non-music majors and music education majors on secondary instruments. No audition is required to participate in this ensemble. The band performs a mix of standard band repertoire and new works for the medium. It only meets in the spring semester and performs two concerts.
Steven Riley conducts the Concert Band which meets Tuesday and Thursday in the spring semester from 3:30 to 4:45.
Like Instrument Ensembles
The wind, brass, and percussion applied faculty often combine the members of their respective studios to make various like instrument ensembles. These groups of like instruments typically perform one concert per semester they are offered. For more information on the like instrument ensembles please contact the following faculty.
- Flute Choir- Stephanie Hoeckley
- Clarinet Choir- Erin Cameron
- Saxophone Small Ensembles- Ken Carroll
- Bassoon Small Ensembles- Kristin Leitterman
- Oboe Small Ensembles- Kristin Leitterman
- Horn Choir- Juli Buxbaum
- Trumpet Small Ensembles- Nairam Simoes
- Trombone Choir- Bruce Faske
- Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble- Ed Owen
- Percussion Ensemble- Craig Collison
Chamber Ensembles
There are various mixed chamber ensemble opportunities at Arkansas State University. Both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds program small ensemble opportunities within the larger group for students to gain the valuable experience of playing with reduced forces.
