Small Ensembles
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.