Performance Ensembles
Ensemble Offerings
| Click on linked ensembles to learn more | |
Brass Ensemble Concert Band Flute Ensemble Guitar Ensemble HU Unplugged Jazz Ensemble Jazz Vocal Workshop Jazztet Marching Band | Opera Ensemble Workshop Orchestra Percussion Ensemble Piano Ensemble Saxophone Ensemble String Quartet Trombone Ensemble University Choir University Chorale Woodwind Ensemble |
Ensemble Requirements
Undergraduate
All undergraduate music majors must participate for six semesters in a large ensemble in their area of performance, and two semesters in a small ensemble of their choice. The following ensemble experiences are available:
• Orchestral Instruments: Concert Band, Marching Band, Orchestra (available through the Consortium)
• Vocal: University Choir, University Chorale, University Collegium
• Keyboard accompaniment for large and small ensembles
• Jazz Studies: Jazz Ensembles
• Music Education (Instrumental): Orchestra is required for six (6) semesters for string players. Six semesters of Band are required for wind and percussion players.
See the complete list of ensembles and directors, below.
Graduate
[coming soon...]
Ensemble Course Numbers & Descriptions
Ensemble Auditions
Ensemble membership is open to all Howard University students. Ensemble auditions are held at the discretion of the ensemble director, usually at the beginning of each semester.
Audition Schedule
Note: In the event audition information for an ensemble in which you are interested is not posted here, you are encouraged to contact the appropriate director (see below) to schedule an audition.
Jazz Vocal Workshop (HU Jazz Singers, Afro Blue, SAASy): TBA.
Afro Blue
Page Last Updated: 2021-11-08 7:30 PM EST
Undergraduate Ensemble Course Numbers and Descriptions
Brass Ensemble
MUTE-111, 112. Brass Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble that performs contemporary and standard brass music, with emphasis given to sight reading, interpretation, and musicianship.
MUTE-121, 122. Brass Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTE-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUTE-111, 112, or consent of instructor.
MUTE-131, 132. Brass Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTE-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUTE-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
MUTE-141, 142. Brass Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTE-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUTE-131, 132, or consent of instructor.
Concert Band
MUTH-111, 112. Concert Band I and II. 1 cr. ea. Includes the analytical study and stylistic performance of the literature for conducted wind ensembles of all sizes.
MUTH-121, 122. Concert Band III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTH-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUTH-111, 112, or consent of instructor.
MUTH-131, 132. Concert Band V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTH-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUTH-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
MUTH-141, 142. Concert Band VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTH-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUTH-131, 132, or consent of instructor.
Flute Ensemble
MUTC-201, 202. Flute Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Composing, arranging, sight-reading, and performing guitar ensemble music. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
MUTC-203, 204. Flute Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTC-201, 202. Prerequisite: MUTC-201, 202 or consent of instructor.
MUTC-205, 206. Flute Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTC-203, 204. Prereqs.: MUTC-203, 204 or consent of instructor.
MUTC-207, 208. Flute Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTC-205, 206. Prereqs.: MUTC-205, 206 or consent of instructor.
Guitar Ensemble
MUTF-111, 112. Guitar Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Composing, arranging, sight-reading, and performing guitar ensemble music. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
MUTF-121, 122. Guitar Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTF-111, 112. Prerequisite: MUTF-111, 112 or consent of instructor.
MUTF-131, 132. Guitar Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTF-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUTF-121, 122 or consent of instructor.
MUTF-141, 142. Guitar Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTF-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUTF- 131, 132 or consent of instructor.
Jazz Ensemble
MUTI-011, 012. Jazz Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Deals with Big Band Jazz; composing, arranging, performing, and recordings. Prereqs.: consent of instructor. Auditions required.
MUTI-021, 022. Jazz Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTI-011, 012. Prereqs.: MUTI-011, 012, or consent of instructor.
MUTI-031, 032. Jazz Ensemble. V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTI-021, 022. Prereqs.: MUTI-021, 022, or consent of instructor.
MUTI-041, 042. Jazz Ensemble. VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTI-031, 032. Prereqs.: MUTI-031, 032, or consent of instructor.
Jazztet
MUTI-111, 112. Jazztet I and II. 1 cr. Small ensemble and experimental projects in jazz performance. Prereqs.: consent of instructor. Auditions required.
MUTI-121, 122. Jazztet III and IV. 1 cr. Continuation of MUTI-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUTI-111, 112, or consent of instructor.
MUTI-131, 132. Jazztet V and VI. 1 cr. Continuation of MUTI-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUTI-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
MUTI-141, 142. Jazztet VII and VIII. 1 cr. Continuation of MUTI-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUTI-131, 132, or consent of instructor.
Jazz Vocal Workshop
MUTV-111, 112. Jazz Vocal Workshop I-II. 1 cr. ea. Development of jazz solo and group performance skills, including improvisation, sight reading, repertoire and contemporary vocal technique. Prereqs.: consent of instructor. Auditions required.
MUSH-121, 122. Jazz Vocal Workshop III-IV 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSH-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUSH-151, 152, or consent of instructor.
MUSH-131, 132. Jazz Vocal Workshop V-VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSH-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUSH-153, 154, or consent of instructor.
MUSH-141, 142 Jazz Vocal Workshop VII-VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSH-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUSH-155, 156, or consent of instructor.
Marching Band
MUTH-011, 012. Marching Band. I and II. 1 cr. ea. Performance of music for athletic contests and half-time shows at football games, various parades, pep rallies, etc. Membership open to all Howard University students.
MUTH-021, 022. Marching Band III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTH-011, 012. Prereqs.: MUTH-011, 012, or consent of instructor.
MUTH-031, 032. Marching Ban V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTH-021, 022. Prereqs.: MUTH-021, 022, or consent of instructor.
MUTH-041, 042. Marching Band VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTH-031, 032. Prereqs.: MUTH-031, 032, or consent of instructor.
Opera Workshop
MUSG-171-174. Opera Ensemble Workshop. 1 cr. Repertoire, interpretation and performance of operatic chamber ensemble literature (trios, quartets, quintets , and larger). Prereqs.: must be enrolled in private voice study (major, minor) AND by consent of the instructor.
Orchestra
MUTJ-011, 012. Orchestra I and II. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble for the study and performance of chamber orchestra literature. Prereqs.: consent of instructor. Auditions required.
MUTJ-021, 022. Orchestra III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTJ-011, 012. Prereqs.: MUTJ-011, 012, or consent of instructor.
MUTJ-031, 032. Orchestra V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTJ-021, 022. Prereqs.: MUTJ-021, 022, or consent of instructor.
MUTJ-041, 042. Orchestra VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTJ-031, 032. Prereqs.: MUTJ-031, 032, or consent of instructor.
Percussion Ensemble
MUSX-011, 012. Percussion Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Consists of reading and performance of literature for percussion.
MUSX-021, 022. Percussion Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSX-011, 012. Prereqs.: MUSX-011, 012, or consent of instructor.
MUSX-031, 032. Percussion Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSX-021, 022. Prereqs.: MUSX-021, 022, or consent of instructor.
MUSX-041, 042. Percussion Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSX-031, 032. Prereqs.: MUSX-031, 032, or consent of instructor.
Piano Ensemble
MUSZ-111, 112. Piano Trio I and II. 1 cr. ea. Includes chamber music for piano and other instruments.
MUSZ-121, 122. Piano Trio III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSZ-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUSZ-111, 112, or consent of instructor.
MUSZ-131, 132. Piano Trio V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSZ-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUSZ-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
MUSZ-141, 142. Piano Trio VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUSZ- of 131, 132. Prereqs.: MUSZ-131, 132, or consent of instructor.
MUSZ-211, 212. Chamber Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Chamber music playing for applied music majors.
MUSZ-221, 222. Chamber Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Advanced chamber music playing for applied music majors. Prereqs.: MUSZ-211, 212, or consent of instructor.
448-111, 112. Accompanying for Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Provides experience in preparation and public performance as an accompanist for varied ensembles.
448-121, 122. Accompanying for Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of 448-111, 112.
448-131, 132. Accompanying for Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of 448-121, 122. Prereqs.: 448-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
448-141, 142. Accompanying for Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of 448-131, 132. Prereqs.: 448-131, 132, or consent of instructor.
Saxophone Ensemble
MUTD-111, 112. Saxophone Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble that performs contemporary literature for the saxophone, including transcribed literature.
MUTD-121, 122. Saxophone Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTD-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUTD-111, 112, or consent of instructor.
MUTD-131, 132. Saxophone Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTD-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUTD-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
MUTD-141, 142. Saxophone Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTD-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUTD-131, 132, or consent of instructor.
Trombone Ensemble
MUTD-111, 112. Trombone Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble that performs traditional and contemporary literature for the trombone choir.
MUTD-121, 122. Trombone Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTD-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUTD-111, 112, or consent of instructor.
MUTD-131, 132. Trombone Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTD-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUTD-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
MUTD-141, 142. Trombone Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTD-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUTD-131, 132, or consent of instructor.
University Choir
MUTL-011, 012. University Choir I and II. 1 cr. ea. Performing vocal ensemble open to all Howard University students. Auditions and appropriate concert and service attire required.
MUTL-021, 022. University Choir III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTL-011, 012. Prereqs.: MUTL-011, 012, or consent of instructor.
MUTL-031, 032. University Choir V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTL-021, 022. Prereqs.: MUTL-021, 022, or consent of instructor.
MUTL-041, 042. University Choir VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTL-031, 032. Prereqs.: MUTL-031, 032, or consent of instructor.
University Chorale
MUTM-011, 012. University Chorale I and II. 1 cr. ea. Consists of a predominantly a capella group, that performs more difficult literature. Audition required.
MUTM-021, 022. University Chorale III and IV 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTM-011, 012. Prereqs.: MUTM-011, 012, or consent of instructor.
MUTM-031, 032. University Chorale V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTM-021, 022. Prereqs.: MUTM-021, 022, or consent of instructor.
MUTM-041, 042. University Chorale VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTM-031, 032. Prereqs.: MUTM-031, 032, or consent of instructor.
Woodwind Ensemble
MUTC-111, 112. Woodwind Ensemble. I and II 1 cr. ea. Ensemble for the study and performance of woodwind literature.
MUTC-121, 122. Woodwind Ensemble III and IV. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTC-111, 112. Prereqs.: MUTC-111, 112, or consent of instructor.
MUTC-131, 132. Woodwind Ensemble V and VI. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTC-121, 122. Prereqs.: MUTC-121, 122, or consent of instructor.
MUTC-141, 142. Woodwind Ensemble VII and VIII. 1 cr. ea. Continuation of MUTC-131, 132. Prereqs.: MUTC-141, 142, or consent of instructor.
Graduate Ensemble Course Numbers and Descriptions
Brass Ensemble
MUTE-111, 112. Brass Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble that performs contemporary and standard brass music, with emphasis given to sight reading, interpretation, and musicianship.
Concert Band
MUTH-301-304. Concert Band I-IV (Grad). 1 cr. ea. Ensemble for the study and performance of wind ensemble literature with additional graduate level assignments. Audition required.
Flute Ensemble
MUTC-311-314. Flute Ensemble I-IV (Grad). 1 cr. ea. Ensemble for the study and performance of flute literature with additional graduate level assignments.
Guitar Ensemble
MUTF-111, 112. Guitar Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Composing, arranging, sight-reading, and performing guitar ensemble music. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Jazz Ensemble
MUTI-311, 314. Jazz Ensemble I-IV Grad. 1 cr. ea. Deals with Big Band Jazz; composing, arranging, performing, and recordings, with additional graduate level assignments.. Auditions required.
Jazztet
MUTI-211, 214. Jazztet I-IV Grad. 1 cr. ea. Small jazz ensemble and experimental projects in jazz performance with additional graduate level assignments. Auditions required.
Jazz Vocal Workshop
MUSH-151, 152. Jazz Vocal Workshop I-II. 1 cr. ea. Development of jazz solo and group performance skills, including improvisation, sight reading, repertoire and contemporary vocal technique. Prereqs.: consent of instructor. Auditions required.
Marching Band
MUTH-011, 012. Marching Band. I and II. 1 cr. ea. Performance of music for athletic contests and half-time shows at football games, various parades, pep rallies, etc. Membership open to all Howard University students.
Opera Ensemble Workshop
MUSG 371 - 01. Opera Ensemble Workshop Grad. 1 cr. Repertoire, interpretation and performance of operatic chamber ensemble literature (trios, quartets, quintets, and larger). Prereqs.: must be enrolled in private voice study (major, minor) AND by consent of the instructor.
Orchestra
MUTJ-201, 204. Orchestra I-IV Grad. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble for the study and performance of chamber orchestra literature with additional graduatel level assignments.
Percussion Ensemble
MUSX-011, 012. Percussion Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Consists of reading and performance of literature for percussion.
Saxophone Ensemble
MUTD-201, 204. Saxophone Ensemble I-IV Grad. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble that performs contemporary literature for the saxophone, including transcribed literature and other graduate level assignments.
Trombone Ensemble
MUTD-111, 112. Trombone Ensemble I and II. 1 cr. ea. Ensemble that performs traditional and contemporary literature for the trombone choir.
University Choir
MUTL-011, 012. University Choir I and II. 1 cr. ea. Performing vocal ensemble open to all Howard University students. Auditions and appropriate concert and service attire required.
University Chorale
MUTM-011, 012. University Chorale I and II. 1 cr. ea. Consists of a predominantly a capella group, that performs more difficult literature. Audition required.
Woodwind Ensemble
MUTC-301-304. Woodwind Ensemble I-IV (Grad). 1 cr. ea. Ensemble for the study and performance of woodwind literature with additional graduate level assignments.