Ensembles
Music Department Ensemble Requirements (PDF)
AM Jazz Band
Performance ensemble for novice jazz instrumentalists and for advanced players "doubling" on secondary instruments. Performance of jazz literature; study of jazz techniques.
Brass Ensembles
The Brass Ensembles at Humboldt State are based on the honored tradition of closely-knit chamber music groups and have performed on concerts and recitals, taken regional tours, researched performance practices of early music and the early brasswinds, and served the campus and the community... more about brass ensembles »
Calypso Band
Founded in1986 by Dr. Eugene Novotney, the Humboldt State Calypso Band was the first ensemble of its kind in the entire California State University system. The Humboldt State Calypso Band is a 100% acoustic group comprised of an orchestra of steel drums, or more accurately, steelpans... more about calypso band »
Humboldt Chorale
The Humboldt Chorale is a chorale of 80-150 singers made up of both students and community members. This chorale performs large works from traditional literature each semester... more about the Humboldt Chorale »
Humboldt Symphony
For over 80 years, the Humboldt Symphony has been a large ensemble course offering in the HSU music department. A full symphonic orchestra, the Humboldt Symphony consists of four instrumental sections: orchestral strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion... more about Humboldt Symphony »
Intermediate Orchestra
Performance ensemble for symphonic instrumentalists, who have completed beginning instrumental classes or the equivalent. Study of classical and contemporary music literature.
Jazz Combos
The jazz combos at Humboldt State are the small jazz ensembles, of instruments (but not voices) which are the medium of the jazz soloist. Coached and led by professor Brian Post, there are typically three or four HSU jazz combos per semester... more about jazz combos »
Jazz Orchestra
The award-winning Jazz Orchestra from Humboldt State University is as comfortable playing the best of contemporary big band jazz from composers and arrangers like Maria Schneider, Charles Mingus, Jim McNeely and Toshiko Akiyoshi as they are playing the classic Swing Era music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller... more about jazz orchestra »
Madrigal Singers
The Madrigal Singers is an auditioned vocal ensemble made up of 16 to 24 talented, dedicated singers. This ensemble has a twelve year history of performing renaissance vocal music in period costume... more about the Madrigal Singers »
Mad River Transit Singers
The Mad River Transit (MRT) is an auditioned jazz choir of 14 select voices that performs jazz music. This ensemble performs frequently on and off campus and also takes part in a vocal jazz festival every other year... more about the MRT Singers »
Marching Lumberjacks
Marching Lumberjacks is not a Music Department ensemble. This ensemble is sponsored by the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science. Information regarding the group can be found at the following website: Marching Lumberjacks
Opera Workshop
Traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoire: Operetta, Grand Operas, Chamber Operas, and Broadway Musicals. Preparation of individual roles, ensembles, and scenes, culminating in public performance....more about Opera Workshop
Percussion Ensemble
Performance of classical, contemporary, and experimental music from the art music tradition, as well as traditional music from Africa, Brazil and Central America... more about percussion ensemble »
Strings Chamber Music
Strings Chamber Music is a 1 unit course which fulfills the lower and upper division Area C GE requirement, as well as music majors' ensemble requirement. It places students of like ability into string chamber music groups, like string quartets, trios, etc. Students can also be placed with woodwind instruments or piano to create chamber music groups. Starting in 2010, some groups will be asked to participate in a Service-Learning Program, which pairs groups with a community partner, such as a hospital, school, or senior center. These groups will prepare presentations and performances for the community partner organization.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is a select group of the best wind and percussion players in the University. Repertoire includes the highest quality literature for winds available. The ensemble will have flexible instrumentation which meets the requirements of the repertoire chosen using from 8-50 players as needed... more about symphonic band »
University Singers
The University Singers, an auditioned group, was founded in Fall 1992. The University Singers perform music of all styles and periods including traditional choral music, Broadway musical selections, and masterworks composed for choir and orchestra... more about the University Singers »