Ensembles
- Jazz
- Orchestra
- University Bands
- Other Instrumental Ensembles
- Choral
- Opera/Musical Theater
- Faculty Ensembles
Upcoming Concerts and Performances
Ensembles
Student Ensembles
Jazz
Studio Jazz Orchestra
The Studio Jazz Orchestra is the School of Music's top jazz ensemble, made up of the finest brass, saxophone/woodwind, and rhythm section musicians at SIUC. Read more about SJO here.
Lab Jazz Orchestra
The Lab Jazz Orchestra is the School of Music's second full jazz ensemble, made up of highly skilled brass, saxophone/woodwind, and rhythm section musicians at SIUC. Read more about LJO here.
Jazz Combos
Jazz Combos (MUS 016) essentially functions as a lab for, and an extension of, Jazz Improvisation (MUS 331). Read more about School of Music opportunities to play in Jazz Combos here.
Orchestra
Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra
The SISO, named the Community Orchestra of the Year Award in Illinois by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, brings together students, faculty and community members to perform several concerts per semester. They are under the leadership of renowned Maestro Edward M. Benyas and Concert Master Michael Barta. The SISO website can be found here.
Civic Orchestra
The Civic Orchestra is a group of young musicians from throughout the Heartland under the direction of Prof. Jennifer Presar and Dr. Eric Lenz.
University Bands
Wind Ensemble
See more about the Wind Ensemble here.
Symphonic Band
See more about the Symphonic Band here.
Marching Salukis
The Marching Salukis have their own website! Check it out here.
Saluki Pep Band
See more about the Saluki Pep band here.
Other Instrumental Ensembles
New Music Ensemble
The New Music Ensemble performs regularly in concerts of recent music. It serves the composition students as an outlet for their original scores and a performance medium in itself. Most importantly, it is an experimental resource for composers to attempt various new ideas including timbral possibilities, improvisation, theater pieces and music interacting with computers. more...
Percussion Group
The SIUC Percussion Group is a multifaceted chamber music group whose purpose is to explore and expand the diverse repertory of percussion music. more...
siu Improvisation Unit - siuIU
Initiated in Spring of 2008, the Southern Illinois University Improvisation Unit (siuIU) is an accredited SIUC School of Music ensemble that studies and performs non-idiomatic improvisation and is one of the few of its kind in the academic world. more...
Guitar Ensemble
The guitar ensembles provide chamber music opportunities for our guitar students in various forms. Our guitarists perform in small units such as duos, trios, and quartets, and as part of the SIU Guitar Orchestra, newly founded by Dr. Isaac Lausell. The orchestra is a sonic adventure that teams up all the students in the guitar studio into a large ensemble with endless possibilities. The guitar ensembles explore a wide range of repertoire from the Renaissance to contemporary pieces, transcriptions and original works. more...
Choral
Concert Choir
An auditioned mixed ensemble of approximately forty voices that performs a variety of short distinguished choral works and tours each year. The choir performs several times per semester and is the main representative group of the SIUC Choral area. Recent significant performances include tour of the People's Republic of China, Chicago's Orchestra Hall, and the Central Division ACDA convention in 2012. The group is under the direction of Dr. Susan Davenport. Auditions are held in Altgeld 108 during the first days of the Fall semester.
Choral Union
The over one hundred singers who comprise the SIUC Choral Union come from the University and the community. The Choral Union performs extended masterworks with orchestral or wind accompaniment each semester. The group is under the direction of Dr. Susan Davenport and is assisted by graduate choral conducting students. Auditions are held in Altgeld 108 during the first days of the Fall semester.
Chamber Singers
A highly selective small ensemble of twelve to sixteen vocalists that specializes in the performance of chamber music, including music of the Renaissance. The group also explores new music for chamber voices. The Chamber Singers perform several times during the semesters it meets and tour occasionally. Members of this highly selective ensemble must participate concurrently in either Concert Choir or Choral Union.
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Opera/Musical Theater
The School of Music collaborates with other departments to bring productions of Opera and Musical Theater to life.
Visit the Opera/Musical theater page here.
Faculty Ensembles
Neoteric
Neoteric is a unique ensemble of cello, horn, and bassoon. Probably the first ensemble in history with this combination, Neoteric has a diverse and eclectic repertoire that juxtaposes ancient and brand new music. Concerts include 21st century works with a wide variety of influences, and arrangements of Medieval counterpoint, classical Divertimenti, and Gershwin pieces. We are comfortable performing in a variety of venues, and our concerts have a relaxed atmosphere that includes enthusiastic commentary and friendly interaction with audiences. CLICK HERE...
New Arts Jazztet
The New Arts Jazztet has been a mainstay on the southern Illinois jazz scene for almost 25 years. This popular jazz group, forged in the eclecticism of neo bop and the energy of contemporary jazz, performs an engaging selection of original works. CLICK HERE...
Altgeld Chamber Players
The Altgeld Chamber Players is a flexible instrumentation ensemble composed of distinguished SIUC faculty and outstanding graduate students. The repertoire of this dynamic and exciting ensemble ranges from cutting-edge contemporary works to the great classics of chamber music. CLICK HERE...
