College Ensembles
Click for a directory of Ensemble Faculty
Athletic Band
The Athletic Band is auditioned group formed midway through the fall semester to provide music at selected basketball and hockey games. It continues into the second semester for the remainder of the basketball and hockey seasons. The director of the Athletic Band is Dr. Carol Hayward.
Concert Band
Falcon Marching Band (FMB)
Exists only during football season and performs for all home games, selected other events and a concert. Auditions are held at the beginning of rehearsals in August. Students report (and move into their assigned residence halls) for marching fundamentals, drills and music rehearsals about seven days prior to the opening of classes. Flag corps and twirler auditions are held at other times (Flags: April and early August; Twirlers: early August). Information on current dates for these auditions can be obtained from the band office. The director of the FMB is Dr. Carol Hayward.
The largest student organization on campus, the FMB performs at all home football games and various other university functions. They have also performed at the University of Akron, University of Michigan, University of Toledo and Eastern Michigan, Miami, West Virginia, Marshall, Ohio State and Ball State universities, as well as professional football games at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, the Pontiac Silverdome, and Cleveland Browns Stadium, and many high school band festivals. Additional trips have included bowl games in Fresno, Calif. (Raisin Bowl), Las Vegas (Silver Bowl), Detroit (Motor City Bowl), and Mobile, Ala. (GMAC Bowl). In 2007, the band was proud to have been invited to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America Regional in Indianapolis.
Numbering 220 members, the band serves as a showcase of the finest in musical and visual performance, as well as a centerpiece for athletic spirit. The FMB is composed of students from all colleges of the University and membership is open by audition to students of all class levels and all majors.
The band performed an original composition composed especially for the Falcon Marching Band by Ryan Nowlin ’00, ’04, entitled New Frontiers. It includes original visual design by Jason Sivill ’04 and percussion book by Michael Sander ’97.
University Band
The University Band performs the finest in wind literature, emphasizing the core repertoire and contemporary publications that provide a strong basis for the music educator. The University Band is one of three concert bands at BGSU. This ensemble is open to all university students, and it meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30–1:20 p.m. Throughout each semester, the University Band performs two concerts. The director of the University Band is Dr. Kenneth Thompson.
Wind Symphony
The Wind Symphony is the most advanced-level performing ensemble in the band area. Seating and placement are through audition. The ensemble performs contemporary and standard literature for winds and percussion. Each fall, the Wind Symphony performs in the New Music Festival and recently was selected to perform at the College Band Director’s National Association Conference in Chicago. Performing on the Band New Music Reading and Directors Clinic in January, the ensemble also performs at least two concerts each semester. The Wind Symphony meets Monday from 8–10 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30–3:45 p.m. in the fall and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4–5:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 4–5 p.m. in the spring. The director of the Wind Symphony is Dr. Bruce Moss.
A Cappella Choir
Mark Munson, director
Rehearsals: MWF 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Auditions are typically held in the end of August.
The A Cappella Choir is a select mixed ensemble consisting primarily of music majors and minors. Members study and perform the finest of sacred choral literature and secular vocal chamber music, and receive one hour of academic credit per semester.
Collegiate Chorale
Timothy Cloeter, director
Rehearsals: MW 2:30–3:20 p.m. and TR 2:30–3:50 p.m.
Collegiate Chorale Web site
Auditions are typically held during the first three days of the fall semester.
The Collegiate Chorale is a highly select mixed choir whose members study and perform the finest of sacred choral literature and secular vocal chamber music. The ensemble consists of 30 to 40 singers, primarily upperclassmen and graduate students. The Collegiate Chorale has toured throughout the United States, in Canada and in Europe, and has performed at a number of professional choral and music education conferences. Members receive two hours of academic credit per semester.
University Choral Society
Dr. Mark Munson, director
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Auditions are typically held during the first three days of the fall semester.
The University Choral Society is a large, auditioned symphonic chorus consisting of University students, faculty and staff members, and singers from the greater northwest Ohio community. Members regularly perform great choral/orchestral masterworks with the Toledo and Lima Symphony Orchestras, as well as with the Bowling Green Philharmonia. The chorus performs Handel’s Messiah with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra each year in December. Members receive one hour of academic credit per semester.
University Men’s Chorus
Timothy Cloeter, director
Rehearsals: MWF 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Auditions are typically held within the first few days of the fall semester.
The always-popular University Men’s Chorus is an ensemble consisting of 70 to 80 men who enjoy singing and touring together. The membership represents a variety of majors from across campus and performs great literature composed for men’s voices. The ensemble has performed on many professional conference programs and has recorded several CDs. Members receive one hour of academic credit per semester.
University Women’s Chorus
Dr. Sandra Frey Stegman, director
Rehearsals: MWF 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Each year 70 to 80 women from around the campus come together to form the University Women’s Chorus, an ensemble specializing in the vast choral repertoire composed for treble voices. The chorus performs both on and off campus, and has performed at several professional conferences. Members receive one hour of academic credit per semester.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
The 12-voice Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE) performs a variety of music in the vocal jazz tradition: solo and tight-harmony choral music in the style of groups such as The Manhattan Transfer or The Real Group. The ensemble, which includes a rhythm section made up of BGSU students, each year explores a wide variety of musical styles and genres from bebop to show tunes. The group has already enthusiastic response through its performances on campus and at off-campus sites such at the Manor House at Toledo’s Wildwood MetroPark.
Jazz Lab Band
The 2009–2010 Jazz Lab Band I
David Bixler, director, jazz lab band I
Rehearsals: TR 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Jeff Halsey, director, jazz lab band II
Rehearsals: TR 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Founded in the early 1960s, the Jazz Lab Bands are the large ensembles of the jazz studies program. The bands regularly appear at jazz festivals including over 20 appearances at the prestigious Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festival. The bands emphasize student learning through repertoire study and improvisation training. The Jazz Lab Bands are open to both music majors and non-majors.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
Founded in 1985 by its director Chris Buzzelli, the group performs a variety of pieces ranging from standard and modern jazz to original music composed specifically for the group by Buzzelli. The ensemble also performs a number of off-campus concerts each year. The ensemble also sponsors appearances by guest artists including jazz guitarists Cal Collins and Tal Farlow. It has made appearances at both the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference and the Ohio Music Education Association Conference.
The Classical Guitar Ensemble has participated in the Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival. Recently, we have aquired a number of alto, bass and contrabass guitars for use in the Classical Guitar Ensemble.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
The BGSU Jazz Singers has been under the direction of guitar professor, Chris Buzzelli, since the Fall of 2000. The ensemble includes 12-16 vocalists plus an instrumental combo, and performs the music of groups such as Manhattan Transfer, Singers Unlimited and New York Voices, as well as arrangements written especially for them. They have performed at the Jazz Education Network National Conference, the Tri-C Vocal Jazz Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Gold Company Vocal Jazz Festival and the Ohio Music Educator's Conference. They have also hosted clinicians such as Kim Nazarian, Peter Eldridge and Carol Welsman. Since the summer of 2009, the group has hosted the annual Bowling Green State University/New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp, which has attracted participants from all over North America, as well as Europe, Asia and South Africa.
Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Chamber jazz or combo experience is vital to the jazz program at BGSU. All groups meet twice a week for rehearsal. One concert is required for each ensemble per semester. Additionally, each group plays in a master class setting giving a mini-concert for their peers and faculty. Additional opportunities exist for gigs and school community concerts.
The Bowling Green Opera Theater serves the educational needs of students in the College of Musical Arts, while offering an array of operatic performances to audiences in Bowling Green and the surrounding northwest Ohio community.
Each year the opera theater offers two fully staged productions with orchestra, along with workshop and scenes programs and opera outreach to local schools. The opera theater and the voice area work hand in hand to create a sense of community, mutual respect and collaboration, which serve to enhance the entire opera experience for our students.
The pedagogical goal of the opera theater is to provide voice students with the opportunity to develop their stagecraft and dramatic interpretation, and integrate them with their singing skills through practical performance experience.
Afro-Caribbean Ensemble
Sidra Lawrence, director
The BGSU Afro-Caribbean Ensemble performs traditional songs, percussion music and dance from sub-Saharan Africa and the Carribean. During the academic year, performances are given on campus and in neighboring communities. Enrollment is open to all students.
Early Music Ensemble
Arne Spohr, director (Guido’s Band)
The Early Music Ensemble performs music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The ensemble is made up of undergraduate and graduate students in music and occasionally students from other programs. The vocal ensemble consists of 10–15 auditioned singers; the instrumental ensemble (Guido’s Band) is open to anyone proficient in a modern instrument who wants to learn the early instruments (recorder, lute, viola da gamba, Renaissance fiddle, cornetto, crumhorn). The group performs regularly on campus and at schools and community concerts in northwest Ohio.
Hayabusa Taiko Ensemble
Allison Eckardt Merrill, director
Taiko is a form of Japanese Ensemble drumming that has become popular across Japan, then United States, and around the world. Students will perform in the ensemble, learning multiple pieces and performing in World Percussion Night. Music is learned aurally, so music reading ability is not necessary, but you should be ready for lots of physical movements.
Kusuma Sari Gamelan
Kurt Doles, director
Kusuma Sari (Inner Flower) is the gamelan gong kebyar orchestra from Bali, Indonesia, housed at the College. Consisting largely of gongs and metallophones, the gamelan performs the dynamic traditional music of Bali as well as modern compositions by American and Balinese composers. Kusuma Sari is directed by David Harnish and presents biannual concerts, performs at community events, and occasionally goes on tour. Enrollment is open to all students.
Legong/Kraton
New Music Ensemble
Christopher Dietz, director
The New Music Ensemble presents the works of our time in several concerts each year. Besides the traditional repertoire, the ensemble also focuses on improvisation and collaboration with artists from other disciplines.
Steel Drum Ensemble
Robert Desmond, director
Composed of undergraduate and graduate students, the new Steel Drum Ensembles (founded in 2007) perform music ranging from traditional Carribean tunes to modern jazz arrangements. Students learn instruments ranging from bass pan up to lead tenor as well as “engine room” percussion—drum set, timbales, congas, shakers, etc. Steel Drum Ensembles are open to all students.
Hot, Hot, Hot by Alphonso “Arrow” Cassell, as made famous by Buster Pointdexter
I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash
Bassoon Ensemble
Maya Stone, Director
The Bassoon Ensemble performs a variety of music and musical styles. Begun in 1996, the ensemble has presented concerts on and off campus.
Clarinet Choir
Kevin Schempf, director
The Clarinet Choir performs new works and transcriptions for multiple clarinets, and presents a concert each semester.
Classical Guitar Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
The Classical Guitar Ensemble has participated in the Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival. Recently, we have aquired a number of alto, bass and contrabass guitars for use in the Classical Guitar Ensemble.
Flute Choir
Conor Nelson, director
Flute Choir is usually offered in the fall semester and at other times upon request. Smaller ensembles are available both semesters. The ensembles offer the experience of using the alto and bass flutes along with piccolos and standard flutes.
Horn Club
Andrew Pelletier, director
The Horn Club, founded by the late Herbert Spencer and now under the direction of Andrew Pelletier, is comprised of students, staff, alumni and community members performing a wide variety of music of transcribed and original music for horn ensemble. The group performs several times annually, both on and off campus, including educational outreach concerts.
Percussion Ensemble
Roger Schupp, director
The Percussion Ensemble was first organized in 1968. Comprised of graduate and undergraduate percussion majors at the college, the group performs on a number of concerts each semester.
Trombone Choir
William Mathis, director
The Trombone Choir, under the direction of William Mathis, is comprised of undergraduate and graduate trombone majors in the college performing a wide variety of music of transcribed and original music for large and small trombone ensembles. This group maintains both a performance and pedagogical mission, where students of all levels perform together and learn from each other. The ensemble performs regularly on- and off-campus and has been featured at churches, public schools and universities in Ohio and Michigan.
Trumpet Ensemble
Charles Saenz, director
The Bowling Green Trumpet Ensemble was founded in 1983 by Professor Emeritus of Trumpet Edwin Betts and several graduate trumpet students at the College. Currently under the direction of assistant professor of trumpet Charles Saenz, the ensemble, comprised of ten to 12 members, performs on a regular basis on and off the campus including regular trips to perform at the annual Ohio meetings of the International Trumpet Guild.
The Ensemble provides students the opportunity to hone their performance and ensemble skills in an intensive chamber music environment, exploring the breadth of trumpet ensemble music from the Baroque to the present.
Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble
David Saltzman, director
Comprised of 16 members, the ensemble provides students with an intensive chamber music experience of the literature written for and transcribed for the ensemble.
Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Chamber jazz or combo experience is vital to the jazz program at BGSU. All groups meet twice a week for rehearsal. One concert is required for each ensemble per semester. Additionally, each group plays in a master class setting giving a mini-concert for their peers and faculty. Additional opportunities exist for gigs and school community concerts.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
Founded in 1985 by its director Chris Buzzelli, the group performs a variety of pieces ranging from standard and modern jazz to original music composed specifically for the group by Buzzelli. The ensemble also performs a number of off-campus concerts each year. The ensemble also sponsors appearances by guest artists including jazz guitarists Cal Collins and Tal Farlow. It has made appearances at both the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference and the Ohio Music Education Association Conference.
The Classical Guitar Ensemble has participated in the Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival. Recently, we have aquired a number of alto, bass and contrabass guitars for use in the Classical Guitar Ensemble.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Chris Buzzelli, director
The 12-voice Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE) performs a variety of music in the vocal jazz tradition: solo and tight-harmony choral music in the style of groups such as The Manhattan Transfer or The Real Group. The ensemble, which includes a rhythm section made up of BGSU students, each year explores a wide variety of musical styles and genres from bebop to show tunes. The group has already enthusiastic response through its performances on campus and at off-campus sites such at the Manor House at Toledo’s Wildwood MetroPark.