There are many ways for students to get involved with performance ensembles at BU. Offerings for music majors as well as students from outside of the School of Music are plentiful. Learn more, and get involved!
Ensembles at BU
From recent articles to feature videos on BU Bands and School of Music Ensembles, find more on what the wide world of BU ensembles is all about!
Orchestras
Symphony and Chamber Orchestra
The Boston University School of Music orchestral program, which includes the Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra, plays a central role in the education of the School’s instrumentalists who aspire to professions as chamber musicians, orchestral musicians, teachers, or a combination of all three.
Professor James Burton assumed the role of Director of Orchestral Activities at Boston University in Fall 2020. He oversees artistic and educational planning for the entire program and conducts the majority of the Symphony Orchestra performances, including their annual concert at Boston’s Symphony Hall.
The orchestras also work with other BU faculty, distinguished guest conductors, and members of the graduate conducting program. Professor William Lumpkin, Director of the BU Opera Institute, directs the school’s two annual mainstage opera productions. The orchestras collaborate with the choral department, perform concerto repertoire with student competition winners, and take part in composition reading sessions. All orchestral students are assigned to projects on a per-cycle basis, regularly rotating between the Symphony and Chamber orchestras, operas, and other projects.
All-Campus Orchestra
Open to all students
Under the direction of Mark Miller, the All-Campus Orchestra is a large ensemble devoted to the study and performance of orchestral music. Literature is selected from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. Recent performances have included compositions by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Brahms, and Dvorak. Students learn bowing, articulation, breathing techniques, tuning procedures, acoustics, rhythm and meter, phrasing, and ensemble principles. Students also explore why each work was created and what makes it worthy of performance. The All-Campus Orchestra performs two formal concerts each semester.
Wind Ensembles
Wind Ensemble (Music Majors)
The Wind Ensemble is the premiere music major band in the School of Music. Under the baton of Professor Kenneth Amis, the Wind Ensemble is designed to prepare wind, brass, and percussion players for the professional careers in ensemble performance. It also provides future music educators with institute standard teaching concepts and methods related to the study of band repertoire and performance. Prof. Amis demonstrates standard rehearsal techniques and requires an outstanding level of performance.
Membership in the Wind Ensemble is determined by auditions held in conjunction with the School of Music in September. Extremely talented non-music majors who have already spent at least one year at Boston University in a non-major ensemble may audition for this group. If interested, please contact the Ensembles Manager.
Concert Band
Open to all students
Under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Bill, the Boston University Concert Band is a large concert ensemble with participants throughout the Boston University community. The ensemble is open to all students wishing to continue making music throughout their collegiate years regardless of major. The Concert Band performs a diverse section of wind band repertoire ranging from traditional works to premieres and recent compositions by leading composers. In addition to performing two formal concerts each semester, the ensemble also participates in events such as the Concert Band Beanpot, an annual festival of local university and collegiate wind bands (with Boston University hosting the event in 2006, 2013, and 2017).
Choral Ensembles
Symphonic Chorus
Open to all students
The Boston University Symphonic Chorus is open to all musicians in the campus community: undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, and friends. BU community members sing alongside music performance majors from the School of Music, collectively forming the premier choral ensemble at Boston University. The ensemble presents one concert each semester, including an annual performance with BU’s orchestra at Symphony Hall, the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They perform in a variety of languages, exploring music from various choral traditions.
Rehearsals are held in the CFA Concert Hall at 855 Commonwealth Avenue on Wednesday evenings at 7pm; extra rehearsals are often held as performances approach and will be announced before the start of the semester. Placement hearings are generally held at the first and second rehearsals of each semester. Participating BU students should register for the course, which is offered for either one or zero credits. Symphonic Chorus is led by Dr. Mariah Wilson, Director of Choral Activities.
BU Singers
BU Singers is a chamber chorus for advanced vocalists, comprised primarily of voice majors. This group draws upon the musicianship and training from each singer, who often sing one-on-a-part, requiring accountability and teamwork. Each student is expected to take initiative and lead, follow, listen, and adapt as they collaborate with other voices and personalities. Singers will work through repertoire in many languages and traditions, including historic masterpieces as well as music from countries and composers further from the western canon. The ensemble typically gives two performances each semester, most often in the CFA Concert Hall or Marsh Chapel. Students from other majors who have advanced choral singing experience may request permission to audition; please contact the Manager of Ensembles before semester start for more information. BU Singers meets WF, 12:20pm-2:05pm, and is also directed by Dr. Wilson.
Jazz Ensembles
Big Band
Open to all students
Under the direction of Aaron Goldberg, The BU Big Band performs a variety of jazz including contemporary, old-school, popular, and rare cuts from across the decades. Improvisation in Big Band is optional, not required. Musicians often have the opportunity to work with guest artists and clinicians. The Big Band uses standard instrumentation: 4-5 trumpets, 4-5 trombones, 5 saxes, and a rhythm section (guitar, vibes, piano, bass, optional aux. percussion, and drum set). Performances consist of several concerts per semester including BU Jazz Fest and occasional high-level university functions around campus.
Jazz Workshop
Open to all students
Under the direction of Warren Levenson, Jazz Workshop is an ensemble for students of all abilities to learn about Jazz. The ensemble is open to all instruments and vocalists. Students will learn the basics of Jazz language and style, improvisation, ear training, and composition. The ensemble typically performs at least once per semester. Auditions are not required to join Jazz Workshop – simply complete the Join Form.
Jazz Combos
Open to all students
Under the direction of Warren Levenson, the Jazz Combos are intended for those who wish to perform in a smaller setting. Our top combos are often asked to perform at high-level functions on campus. Multiple Jazz Combos are created according to student talent and interest.
Athletic Bands
Marching Band
Open to all students
Under the director of Aaron Goldberg the Boston University Marching Band is a campus-wide ensemble that is open to all students, and it is also open to college students in the Greater Boston area who do not have a marching band at their institution. The ensemble performs each fall at college band shows, university and civic events, and regional high school band shows as a featured collegiate band in exhibition. The BU Marching Band was founded in 1920 and continues to be a source of pride and exciting performance opportunities for all members.
- There are no auditions required for entry to the BU Marching Band
- Marching Band meets 3 times per week, and rehearses less than most high schools
- The Marching Band season ends in early November, five-to-six weeks before final exams begin
- Students can earn a Hub unit in the area of “Teamwork/Collaboration” in Marching Band
Pep Band
Open to all students
Under the director of Aaron Goldberg the Boston University Pep Band is a campus-wide ensemble that is open to all students. Pep Band is the most flexible music ensemble to join. We form two bands that rotate through performances, and students can miss a performance if they get a sub from the other band. And when we put both bands together for big events…look out!! The BU Pep Band is the driving force of the game day experience at all home Hockey and Basketball games. With a song list of over 100 classic and current tunes, the Pep Band is a high-energy, powerful ensemble beloved by our teams and fans alike. The Pep Band is also an integral part of the “Dog Pound” student fan section. Since our teams are perennial contenders for post-season play, the ensemble has many opportunities for paid travel to conference and NCAA tournaments around the country. There are even opportunities to get paid for playing at games that occur over breaks. Come be a part of this vibrant, energetic ensemble!
There are no auditions required for entry to the BU Pep Band, but students should have at least a minimum amount of experience on their instrument.
Students can earn a Hub unit in the area of “Teamwork/Collaboration” in Pep Band.
Winter Drumline
Open to all students
Under the direction of Sharif Mamoun, BU Winter Drumline focuses on the technical development of percussion playing in the marching percussion idiom through performance. Students learn a variety of technical and musical skills, play a diverse range of music, and perform at various events on and off campus. Past performance venues have included Boston Red Sox games, BU sporting events, Harvard Square, and Faneuil Hall.
The Winter Drumline is a continuation of our Fall Drumline and serves as a way to give percussion students more performance opportunities throughout the academic year, all while preparing for the following fall semester.
The Winter Drumline is open to members of the Fall Drumline (in the BU Marching Band) and the entire BU community, as well as students from other colleges in the Greater Boston area.
The are no auditions required for entry to the BU Winter Drumline.
Students can earn a Hub unit in the area of “Teamwork/Collaboration” in Winter Drumline.
Winter Guard
Open to all students
The Boston University Winter Guard offers a quality indoor color guard experience to all who are interested, provides high-quality instruction for all levels of color guard performer (beginner through advanced), develops color guard technique (flag or weapon) in a supportive environment while building skills towards performance. Winter Guard is a Spring Semester group.
The Winter Guard is open to members of the BU Fall Color Guard (in the BU Marching Band) and the entire BU community, as well as students from other colleges in the Greater Boston area.
The are no auditions required for entry to the Winter Guard.
Students can earn a Hub unit in the area of “Teamwork/Collaboration” in Winter Guard.