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Student Ensembles: Chamber/Studio

String Chamber Music

Students who participate in string chamber music are placed in appropriate ensembles and coached by a member of the Esterhàzy Quartet. The objectives of the groups differ, some doing a great deal of public performance and others spending most of their time learning chamber music techniques and literature. These objectives are determined in consultation with the students. Sections are often combined with pianists or wind players in order to perform the masterpieces of chamber music literature. Admission is by consent of the string faculty.

Woodwind Chamber Ensembles

All woodwind students are encouraged to participate in small ensembles while at MU. After auditions, ensembles are formed of students with similar abilities as conditions permit. Concerts both on and off campus are presented throughout the year. In the 1994-95 academic year, a permanent woodwind quintet, consisting primarily of graduate students, was formed, funded by the Buder Charitable Foundation of St. Louis, Missouri.

Trombone Choir

Formed in the Fall of 1992, the MU Trombone Choir serves as a laboratory extension of the MU trombone studio. The ensemble specializes in performing original music written for 4- to 16- part ensembles of trombones. Students are afforded an opportunity to perform works that push the limits of 20th-century trombone technique while focusing on aesthetic elements such as balance, blend, intonation, timbre and style. During its brief history, the group has performed in many prestigious venues including the International Trombone Festival, the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) National Convention, and the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. The MU Trombone Choir is directed by Drew Leslie.

Trombone Studio website

Horn Choir

With both a challenging repertory and larger numbers, the Horn Choir serves as a broadening experience for students interested in chamber ensembles and horn performance. The ensemble is directed by Marcia Spence, and performs in a number of capacities from quartets through twelve horns. Focusing on musical detail and ensemble unity, the Horn Choir is quickly becoming one of the premier chamber ensembles on campus. As a new component of the Horn Studio, the Mizzou Horn Club, formed in 1998, allows students the opportunity to interact with players in Columbia and the surrounding areas. Through the Mizzou Horn Club, guest artists, lecturers, and ensembles will be at the access of horn students and community members.

Brass Chamber Music

Chamber groups formed exclusively of trombones, tubas, and horns are scheduled regularly. In addition, such mixed ensembles as brass quintets and quartets are offered depending on student interest. These ensembles provide an opportunity for the brass student to perform music of diverse styles, from the widest historical range, both original compositions and arrangements of other musical genres. In the 1994-95 academic year, a permanent brass quintet, consisting primarily of graduate students, was formed, funded by the Buder Charitable Foundation of St. Louis, Missouri.

MU Trumpet Ensemble

The University of Missouri Trumpet Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin is an integral part of the Trumpet Studio.  It provides students the opportunity to explore the vast and interesting literature for trumpet choir, and the excerpts from the orchestral trumpet section repertoire.  Comprised of both graduate and undergraduate trumpet students, various combinations of players are used, from 3 up to 12, to provide a diverse spectrum of playing situations. In addition, throughout the literature performed, every instrument of the trumpet family is used, from the Piccolo Trumpet down to Flugelhorn, in order to provide an expanded timbre and range within the compositions.

The group participated in the National Trumpet Competition and performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conferences.  The Trumpet Ensemble regularly performs the opening fanfares for the annual Columbia Public Schools Band Extravaganza.

The Trumpet Ensemble meetings are also used for clinics and master-classes of the guest artists, such as Håkan Hardenberger, Michael Sachs, Vincent DiMartino, Leonard Candelaria, Susan Slaughter, and many others.