Greg Novak, a senior in the College of Engineering, is a member of the Symphonic and Pep Bands.
"The music program is the strongest its been in five years, and I can only see it continuing if we keep getting the support we've been getting," Novak said.,”A music minor, new pianos and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performances—things are looking up for Marquette's music programs.
Greg Novak, a senior in the College of Engineering, is a member of the Symphonic and Pep Bands.
"The music program is the strongest its been in five years, and I can only see it continuing if we keep getting the support we've been getting," Novak said.
Marquette has a multitude of musical opportunities for students, including Orchestra, Chorus, Chamber Choir, Vocal Jazz Choir, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Pep Band.
Erik Janners, director of music, directs the bands, Gregory Carpenter directs the choirs and Steven Rindt directs the Orchestra.
There are about 120 students in the Symphonic Band. Enrollment is open to all students, but "obviously, there's a certain level of playing ability they need to have or they'll run into problems," Janners said.
The Symphonic Band includes wind instruments, such as flutes and clarinets, in addition to percussion instruments. The group plays classical music written for wind instruments, Janners said.
Seating is based on playing ability, so higher chairs denote stronger players who receive more solo parts, Janners said.
Symphonic Band practices Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m.
Students from the Symphonic Band who wish to participate in Marquette basketball games can also join the Pep Band, which plays at men's home games and some away games, Janners said.
There are two identified groups in the Pep Band—Blue and Gold. Each group contains 30 students committed to traveling to away games. However, Janners said, anyone in the Symphonic Band can play in the Pep Band at home games.
Greg Novak, a senior in the College of Engineering, is a member of the Symphonic and Pep Bands.
He said the music and style of each band is completely different, because the Pep Band tries to play pop songs that students will recognize, while the Symphonic Band plays more classical music.
The pep band uses Symphonic Band practice time to rehearse.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is composed mostly of students from the other two bands, though students can join only the Jazz Band.
The Jazz Band's 20 members play swing, Bebop, fusion and jazz music, Janners said. It includes mostly trumpets, trombones, saxophones and a rhythm section, he said.
The group practices from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Sarah Gross, president of Marquette Symphony Orchestra and a senior in the College of Health Sciences, said the group has about 60 members at full strength.
She said the group plays a fall, holiday and spring/pop concert each year, and also plays at small events around campus.
The Orchestra includes Marquette High School students, faculty and Marquette students, and practices Monday and Wednesday evenings for one to two hours, Gross said.
"We try to pick music that everyone can play," Gross said.
The musical selection ranges from pop to classical, whatever the members feel like playing next, she said.
The Orchestra is made up mostly of string instruments, such as violins, violas, cellos and basses, but there are also a few other instruments, Gross said.
Gross said Rindt is enjoying his first year leading the orchestra as the director.
"He's got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for us, so we've got a nice little group going on," Gross said.
She said many students in the orchestra played in high school, and would like to continue playing music casually.
"It's a nice creative outlet to have," Gross said. "It's a study break and a way to keep that talent going."
Carpenter, director of the vocal groups, said students are placed in either Chorus or Chamber Choir based on "placement interviews."
There's a choir for everyone, Carpenter said. Experience is not required, but it is difficult to catch up with no musical experience, he said.
The Chorus includes 67 members, and performs during Family Weekend, at the "Lessons and Carols" performance in December and is going on tour to Florida during spring break, Carpenter said.
Carpenter said he thinks music programs are important to students' development.
"So much of the work we do in colleges and universities deals with the academia, but (Chorus is) one of those places where students can explore other parts of being a student," Carpenter said.
Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is composed mostly of freshman girls, but also includes some sophomore and junior girls, member Jessica Herrick, a College of Arts & Sciences junior, said.
There are about 30 women in the Chamber Choir, but students show up whenever they are able, so the number fluctuates, Herrick said.
"The Chamber Choir is a nice transition before getting into that massive Marquette Chorus group," Herrick said.
The Chamber Choir meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Vocal Jazz Choir
The Vocal Jazz Choir is composed of students in the Chorus, and transforms into a "Concertus," or chamber ensemble, during the Christmas season.
Vocal Jazz Choir sings jazz and popular music, Carpenter said.
The group of about 12 students practices Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m.
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