Music Ensembles at Indiana Wesleyan University
The Indiana Wesleyan University Orchestra is a full orchestra comprised of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The Orchestra combines both music majors, and non-majors to perform concerts on the IWU campus and in the local community.
The Orchestra performs about five concerts of repertoire over the course of the academic year performing standard orchestral repertoire, symphonic pops, and featuring both faculty and student soloists. The Orchestra often participates in collaborative projects with the IWU Chorale, Wind Ensemble, Opera Theatre, and Musical Theatre. The group has also collaborated in the local community for the Marion Easter Pageant and services at local churches.
String scholarships and service grants are available and awarded by audition. Please read more about the Lloyd DaCosta Jones Scholarship available to string players on our scholarship page.
Questions?
Students interested in performing with the Orchestra are encouraged to contact the Division of Music and Theatre at iwumusic@indwes.edu.
Create friendships that can last for years as you make music with fellow marching band members at home football games, select away football games, and parades/events.
The IWU Wind Ensemble, directed by Michael Flanagin and Briana Blankenship, strives to present the finest level of performance and ministry through concert band and wind ensemble literature. Membership in this ensemble is by audition and represents a wide spectrum of majors from the IWU Campus in Marion.
Over the years, the ensemble has performed in 20+ states and recorded three albums. Additionally, the group has been featured at the Indiana Music Educators Association Conventions in 2001 and 2013.
Questions?
For additional information please contact Prof. Michael Flanagin at michael.flanagin@indwes.edu.
The Indiana Wesleyan University Jazz Ensemble, a 17-piece big band, performs an exciting repertoire of traditional, contemporary as well as Latin styles of Jazz with an emphasis on swing, blues and improvisation. Students learn varied performance techniques which will equip them for graduate study and/or the professional performance field.
The band rehearses twice weekly and performs twice each semester, with students admitted into the class through a live audition.
What students are saying about Jazz Band:
"Favorite class of the semester! Lots of challenging work, but soooo much fun to be a part of!"
"…This semester was challenging, but I grew as a result. And I had a lot of fun this semester doing it."
Questions?
For additional information, please contact Dr. Todd Williams at todd.williams@indwes.edu
The IWU Jazz Combo is a small group of musicians, comprised of members that range from rhythm section (drums, bass, piano and guitar) to lead players (trumpet, trombone, sax, voice).
The Jazz Combo meets twice a week to rehearse. During these rehearsal times, we work to develop things such as ensemble listening and soloing - with techniques coming from imitation, music theory understanding and hearing the music that is surrounding the players at the moment.
Outside of the two concerts presented on campus with the Big Band, the Jazz Combo secures gigs in the community and on campus and has opportunity to record.
The IWU Jazz Combo has played for numerous Grant County events and is a "first call" for many gatherings. A concert highlight from the past has been the "Java and Jazz" night where the Combo collaborates with McConn Coffee (the campus coffee shop) for a great evening of entertainment and atmosphere.
Questions?
For additional information, please contact Dr. Todd Williams at todd.williams@indwes.edu
The IWU Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Marc Wooldridge, performs percussion works in styles such as minimalism, world music, classical transcriptions, ragtime and avant-garde. They have an active touring schedule that includes performances at high schools, colleges, and other performance venues in the Midwest region; as well as appearances at statewide Day of Percussion events sponsored by the Percussive Arts Society.
Guest artists that have given clinics and/or performed with the ensemble include Nebosja Zivkovic, the Ethos Percussion Group, Bernard Woma, and the Orchid Ensemble.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Dr. Marc Wooldridge marc.wooldridge@indwes.edu
The Piano Ensemble offers a new and unique opportunity for pianists to work collaboratively on a regular basis. It is designed to familiarize pianists with the wide variety of literature available-piano duets and duos for multiple pianos. Students will perform in a culminating multi-piano performance at least once a year.
The course is designed for pianists who are at an upper-intermediate level, interested in the experience of working with others pianists to develop skills in voicing, balance, listening, sight-reading, and flexibility of expression.
Questions?
For additional information, please contact Dr. Daniel Lin or Dr. Phoenix Park-Kim.
“Favorite class of the semester! Lots of challenging work, but soooo much fun to be a part of!”
Student in Jazz Band
“…This semester was challenging, but I grew as a result. And I had a lot of fun this semester doing it.”
Student in Jazz Band
