Ensembles
our ensembles are Open to all students of all majors
Performing in a music ensemble is one of the best ways to start your college experience right! Available for all UWG students, ensembles offered by UWG Music enable students interested in continuing their musical experiences to perform at the collegiate level for audiences on campus, in the local community, and beyond.
Some ensembles require an audition for part placement, while our more competitive ensembles require one for admission. Don't be afraid to audition—there's an ensemble for you—whether it's in a concert band setting, hot jazz, marching band, choir, or opera.
Fall auditions typically take place prior to the beginning of the semester and during the few days of classes. All auditions are completed prior to the close of the drop/add period. Need more information about a particular music ensemble? You may contact the director of each ensemble for information regarding membership in a performing group.
Bands
The top-tier Wind Ensemble consisting of brass, woodwinds, and percussion serves as the flagship concert ensemble of UWG Bands. Literature includes works of well-known band composers such as Grainger, Holst, and Vaughn-Williams as well as new repertoire from composers around the world and inside UWG. Student and professional concerto soloists have frequently performed with the Wind Ensemble. There are four scheduled concerts throughout the academic year plus special events such as the GMEA In-Service Conference among others.
How to Join: The Wind Ensemble is offered to any student of UWG in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Students who wish to perform with the Wind Ensemble will need to complete a successful audition for membership, as well as register for the course (MUSC 2700 or 4700, 1 hour of credit). For more information on auditions and more, please contact music@westga.edu.
The Symphonic Band serves as a non-auditioned concert band open to all students, faculty, and staff at West Georgia.
How to Join: This ensemble is offered during the spring semester each year. Students will need to register for the course (MUSC 2710 or 4710, 1 hour of credit). For more information, please contact music@westga.edu.
The Jazz Ensemble plays arrangements and compositions from diverse classic and contemporary sources. Members also perform memorized pieces and collectively compose their own works. It tours regionally each spring, tracks a studio recording each semester, and hosts the annual Sunbelt Jazz Festival with a standard jazz instrumentation.
How to Join: This ensemble meets both Fall and Spring semesters. Those students who wish to join should register for the course (MUSC 2020 or 4020, 1 hour of credit) and contact music@westga.edu for more information.
The University of West Georgia Marching Band, The Marching Wolves of West Georgia, is open to all UWG wind, percussion, and guard students on campus. As a class, all students participating in marching band receive credit for this ensemble. The Marching Band performs in a variety of venues including home games, select away games, and area marching band exhibitions. It is a unique ensemble that combines Drum Corps style marching techniques with Show Band elements for pregame and halftime shows.
How to Join: Register for MUSC 2720 or 4720 (1 credit hour). For more information, contact music@westga.edu.
The basketball Pep Band, The Wolfgang, performs for the men’s and women’s home basketball games. The ensemble is open to all qualified students at UWG but seating is limited to 36 members (preference will be given to current members of the Marching Band). Instrumentation includes woodwinds, brass, percussion, and electric bass.
How to Join: The Basketball Pep Band course (MUSC 2800p/4800p, 1 credit hour) is offered each spring semester. Those interested should contact music@westga.edu for more information.
The Brass and Percussion Ensembles are chamber-sized ensembles yet two of the Music Program's loudest groups, featuring concerts in fall and spring semesters.
How to Join: Register for MUSC 2800N or 4800N (1 credit hour). For more information, contact music@westga.edu.
Vocal Ensembles
Concert Choir, a traditional mixed choir, performs the standard choral repertoire of classics, multi-cultural music, and major works with orchestra. The choir performs twice a semester in addition to occasional national and international appearances.
How to Join: Students should enroll in MUSC 2650 or 4750 (1 credit hour). No auditions are required for MUSC 2650. For more information, contact music@westga.edu.
The Chamber Singers is a select ensemble of about sixteen voices. Repertoire includes madrigals, choral chamber music, and popular music. The Chamber Singers tour annually and have performed for conferences of GMEA and Georgia ACDA. Members participate in the GMEA All-College Chorus.
How to Join: Auditions are held in the spring semester, and students should enroll in MUSC 2760 or 4760 (1 credit hour) for the following fall semester. For more information, contact music@westga.edu.
Opera Workshop is a course where students can earn credit while exploring the world of opera. This ensemble provides opportunities for soloists, chorus members, improvisation, and student directing—all while performing scenes as well as full operas on stage. During class time, students participate in improvisation as well as rehearse for upcoming stage productions and school shows.
Fall Scenes: This program allows students to perform in solo and chorus roles within a variety of scenes from Mozart to Menotti. All students enrolled in the class are cast in one or more roles, and the rehearsals are during the regular class time. These scenes are performed in English and are a great way for students who have never performed, or have never performed an opera scene, to get out of their comfort zones and get a taste of what opera is all about! Past performances include scenes from Carmen (Bizet), Candide (Bernstein), The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart), The Mikado (Gilbert & Sullivan), and more.
Spring Showcase: Opera Workshop head to the main stage in the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts and offers a night of opera! This show is cast by students enrolled in the Opera Workshop course, and alumni are often invited back to be in the chorus. Performances have included Die Fledermaus: The Revenge of the Bat (Strauss), A Singer's Love (Haydn), Patience (Gilbert & Sullivan), The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart), and more.
Available Scholarships: Inge Manski Lundeen Opera Scholarship Endowment: Awarded annually to a student who is enrolled in the Opera Workshop Program and demonstrates financial need.
How to Join: Enroll in MUSC 2770 or 4770 (1 credit hour). For more information, contact music@westga.edu.