Chamber Ensembles
The Bassoon Ensemble is an integral part of the bassoon studio at Mizzou. This ensemble, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate students, made its MU performance debut in February 2008 in Whitmore Recital Hall under the direction of Rod Ackmann. Since that time, they have been performances at the St. Charles Double Reed Day, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Ellis Library Chamber Music Series, the MU Friends of Music Board meetings, Mizzou Double Reed Day, as well as presenting campus studio recitals each semester. The ensemble performs a wide array of musical styles from Renaissance to 21st century that range from four to twelve parts. A number of MU bassoonists have contributed both arrangements and original compositions to the ensemble’s repertoire.
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Featuring challenging repertory and a fun yet productive working environment, the Mizzou Horn Choir provides a high quality chamber music experience for students interested in developing their skills as horn players, musicians and people. The ensemble is directed by Professor Collins and performs a variety of works for horn choir arranged for four to eight-plus players, many of which are traditional and contemporary in style. Focusing on musical detail and ensemble unity, the Mizzou Horn Choir is quickly becoming one of the premier chamber ensembles on campus.
For more information, please contact:
Prof. Collins
amanda.collins@missouri.edu
The University of Missouri Saxophone Ensemble is comprised of music majors and non-majors studying saxophone with Professor Leo Saguiguit and is also open to all university students through the student organization Mizzou Saxophone Society. The ensemble enjoys performing music of all styles that range from original compositions, classical transcriptions, jazz and popular arrangements, and commissioned works by rising composers. The ensemble has performed for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series and at conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance hosted at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the University of Illinois, and the University of Oklahoma. In addition, the group performs regularly on campus and in outreach concerts for the Columbia community.
Saxophone chamber music is an essential component of the saxophone program at MU. These groups are among the most active in the School of Music and give many public performances on campus, throughout the community, and beyond. Mizzou's award-winning quartets have included MTNA National Finalists and State Winners and have received numerous honors from the Missouri Music Teachers Association competitions. They are active in the commissioning and performance of new works works for quartet and have performed at conferences and competitions throughout the country as well as graduation ceremonies, private parties, schools, and senior centers. Several groups are formed each semester according to ability and experience. No previous quartet experience is required. Enrollment includes a weekly coaching and independent rehearsals.
The MU Trombone Choir has been a tradition at MU since 1992, and plays a wide array of original and transcribed works for trombone ensemble from many different periods and styles. Great emphasis is placed on improving ensemble performance skills such as tone color, unity of articulation, intonation, balance, and musical phrasing. The Trombone Choir has performed at the International Trombone Festival, the Music Educators National Conference, and the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. Recent guests with the ensemble include the trombones of the St. Louis Symphony and Mizzou alumnus Eugene Watts from the Canadian Brass.
Contact:
Dr. Tim Howe
howet@missouri.edu
The MU 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 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.
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.
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Formed in the Fall of 2001, the MU Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble serves as a laboratory extension of the MU Tuba and Euphonium studio. The ensemble specializes in performing original music as well as transcriptions written for 4- to 16- part ensembles of various combinations for tubas and euphoniums. Members of the ensemble are afforded an opportunity to perform works that push the limits of 20th-century tuba/euphonium technique while focusing on aesthetic elements such as balance, blend, intonation, timbre and style. The ensemble plays a wide variety of styles of music and has performed at many prestigious conferences including the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, the Great Plains Tuba and Euphonium Conference, Midwest Tuba and Euphonium Conference, South East Tuba and Euphonium Conference, Southwest Tuba and Euphonium Conference, Missouri Music Educators Conference, as well as public and private schools throughout the state of Missouri.
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The University Percussion Ensemble (UPE) performs contemporary percussion works in large and small settings. Trios, quartets, and quintets are studied regularly as students receive coachings instead of director-led rehearsals. The repertoire for the percussion orchestra is also studied and performed by large ensembles with a conductor as both genres are important. The UPE and its directors have commissioned two works for their own ensemble including "Toccata" by Leonard Mark Lewis for mallet quartet and "The Right to Bear Drums" for large percussion orchestra by Stefan Freund. They have also been a part of several commissioning projects including their most recent work, "Sparklefrog" by Alan Silverman. The ensemble regularly reads new works by student composers from MU and many of those pieces end up being performed on a concert. The UPE has performed at the MMEA state-wide music conference in 1999 and 2011 under the direction of Julia Gaines. They were selected as the only collegiate percussion ensemble to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in December 2014 under the direction of Julia Gaines and Megan Arns.
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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.
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.
Chamber groups formed with string and wind players provide piano students the opportunity to develop ensemble skills and perform works from the remarkable piano chamber music repertoire. Small ensembles of 3-6 players coach with MU faculty members and perform in student chamber music recitals.
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.
All string students at MU are encouraged to participate in small ensembles such as string quartets, string trios, piano trios, or, piano quartets. After auditions, ensembles are formed of students with similar abilities as conditions permit. Performance opportunities in concerts and master classes are offered both on and off campus throughout the year.