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Performing Ensembles |
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Mansfield has a large variety of student musical groups in which you can participate. Our ensembles provide important, life-changing musical experiences for all who participate. Plus, skills learned from ensemble participation equip you for leadership roles after you've left Mansfield. The following music organizations are open to all Mansfield University students regardless of major area of study or class standing. Auditions for select ensembles are held during the first days of class each semester.
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Concert Choir
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Under the direction of Dr. Peggy Dettwiler , the Mansfield University Concert Choir is a select ensemble of about 48 singers, representing some of the finest talent from the American Northeast. While the majority of the singers in the ensemble are undergraduate music majors, membership is open to all students at the university through an audition process. The Concert Choir rehearses four hours a week on choral literature spanning five centuries and in a variety of languages and styles. Having been invited each of the last fourteen years to perform at choral conventions, the choir has achieved a reputation of excellence on the regional, state, national, and international levels. The Concert Choir travels each year throughout the region and has performed in Italy, Austria, Germany, Hungary, The Czech Republic, France, Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey on their triennial tours abroad. In 1996 the group was among the finalists in the "Florilge Vocal de Tours" International Choral Festival in Tours, France. In 2002, they won a Gold Medal and a special prize for Artistic Interpretation at the Robert Schumann International Choir Competition in Zwickau, Germany, and in 2005, they placed fourth in the International May Choir Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. In addition, the choir has produced ten compact discs. The singers are frequently praised for the emotional spectrum in their performances, their warm vocal color, and their diverse repertoire.
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Festival Chorus
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Under the direction of Dr. Peggy Dettwiler, the Festival Chorus is a mixed chorus of more than100 voices open to all university students as well as community singers. Rehearses three hours a week and performs major choral works. Has performed Handel's Messiah, Bach's B Minor Mass, Vivaldi's Gloria, Orff's Carmina Burana, Haydn's Creation, Mozart's Requiem & Mass in C Minor, Vaughan Williams's Dona Nobis Pacem, and the Requiems by Brahms, Verdi, and Rutter. Members of the group also join with the Concert Choir to form separate women's and men's choruses in the fall semester. The group has produced six compact discs. Students must sing for voice placement into the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass sections.
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| Mansfieldians
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A highly select ensemble of 12 singers which specializes in vocal jazz as well as madrigals and music for the vocal chamber ensemble. Rehearses three hours a week. Performs with the M.U. Jazz Ensemble each year and presents dinner concerts. Frequent off-campus performances. Group is co-directed by Dr. Peggy Dettwiler and Dr. Sheryl Monkelien. Audition required.
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Concert Wind Ensemble
Concert Wind Ensemble - A select group of approximately 48 woodwind, brass, and percussion players who perform wind and percussion literature. The MU Concert Wind Ensemble performs four to five times annually on campus. In addition, the ensemble tours for three days during the Fall semester and performs at regional conventions and special events." Membership is not limited to music majors, but an audition is required. Recent literature performed by the group includes Joseph Schwantner's "and the mountains rising nowhere," James Barnes "Symphony No. 3," David Maslanka's "A Child's Garden of Dreams," Johann de Meij's "Symphony No. 1 Lord of the Rings," and Paul Hindemith's "Symphony in Bb."
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Symphony Orchestra
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The MU Symphony Orchestra, has won the acclaim of audiences both locally and on tour for their exciting and energetic performances. The orchestra performs classical masterworks, light classics, pops, and contemporary compositions in addition to accompanying soloists who are winners of the annual Student Solo Competition. Off-campus appearances include Corning Community College, Lycoming College Noon Series, and performances at Pennsylvania schools in Hanover, Canton, Johnstown, Williamsport, Lewisburg, and Athens and Elmira, Corning and Horseheads in New York.
The Mansfield University Orchestra was selected to perform at the State Capitol as part of “2000 Music In Our Schools Month”. It is exciting to note that the Mansfield Orchestra is the first university ensemble to receive an invitation from PMEA to perform at the state capitol. Guest soloists often perform with the orchestra such as the Hamilton-Gibson Children’s Choir, Wellsboro Women’s Chorus and Mansfield University faculty. Dr. Will George Butler founded the MU Orchestra, establishing a tradition of excellence at Mansfield University. It was Dr. Butler who started the first All-State Orchestra in Pennsylvania. Such American dignitaries as John Phillip Sousa, Richard Franko Goldman, and Howard Hanson recognized his music. The Mansfield University Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Dr. Sarch, held an American Music Festival and performed new orchestra works by award winning composers Sy Brandon and Gary Hull.
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Mansfield University Jazz Ensemble
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MU Jazz Ensemble - The Mansfield University Jazz Ensemble is a select group of 20 students under the direction of Dr. Michael Galloway. Membership is open by audition. This outstanding ensemble has recently been an award winning band at the Villanova Jazz Festival and has also been honored with two recent appearances at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Conference, as well an MENC Regional Convention in Rochester, New York. They have also been featured in a performance in Harrisburg in a concert sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz and have been guests at several Pennsylvania District Jazz Festivals.
In conjuction with the Mansfieldians (MU vocal jazz ensemble), they have recently released their third CD and their first all jazz CD - Hourglass. In addition, they make annual tours which have taken them throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania and much of New York, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.
The MU Jazz Ensemble also hosts the annual Mansfield University Jazz Festival. Recent guest artists at the festival include such names as Lew Soloff, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Kenny Warner, Chris Potter, The Airmen of Note, DIVA, Ryan Kisor and Michael Davis.
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Hey Jazz Alumni! Jazz Reunion Info and Registration
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Jazz Lab Band
Added to the department in 1999, the Jazz Lab Band is comprised of music majors and non music majors who wish to further their experiences in jazz performance. This group performs on campus two to three times per year. Membership is by audition but to afford opportunities to more students there are alternate positions available.
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Symphonic Band
Spring Semester - The Symphonic Band is under the direction the Assistant Director of Bands,
Dr. Nathan Rinnert. This ensemble meets in the Spring semester and is open to all interested students. This 75+ member ensemble performs standard literature for symphonic bands. Auditions are held at the beginning of the semester to determine seating and part assignments. The Symphonic Band is involved in two to three concerts each Spring. Perhaps most notable of the concerts by this group is the student conductor's competition concert held in mid February. Up to six undergraduate and graduate students are chosen by audition to rehearse and conduct the Symphonic Band in preparation for this concert. |
The Spirit and the Pride of Pennsylvania Marching Band
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The Pride of Pennsylvania! Mansfield University Marching Band is recognized as one of the finest collegiate marching units in the East. The Pride of Pennsylvania! is approximately 200 members strong and this entertaining unit continues to be at the forefront of promoting Mansfield University. With International and regional performances to their credit, The Pride of Pennsylvania! is seen annually by well over 1.5 million spectators each season. The band travels to three or four venues each season, with their favorite stops being at regional high school festivals where they can perform for multiple schools with outstanding band programs. A favorite at the Allentown Intercollegiate Marching Band Festival, the band's ability to perform the classics, hot jazz or rock styles makes them one of the most talked about bands in Pennsylvania. Band membership represents nearly every degree program offered at MU. Auditions for the band are for placement purposes only and we welcome all dedicated musicians to our ranks. Musical arrangements and drill are created specifically for The Pride of Pennsylvania! by the band staff.
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In addition to the above ensembles, the music faculty coaches duos, trios, and quartets in a wide range of instrumental and vocal groupings. Emphasis is placed on developing each student's musical responsibility and sensitivity within the group. |
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