Student performing ensembles sponsored by the Department of Music provide unique musical experiences for university students who want to continue developing their performing skills.
Numerous large and small choral and instrumental ensembles encompass a wide range of musical styles and repertoire. Throughout each year, the Department of Music presents a variety of concerts and music productions both on campus and as a part of national and international tours.
University Choir
This ensemble is the beginning large ensemble. It is designed to develop tonal, concepts, breathing, good singing posture and familiarization with the musical score. Serves as a laboratory for conducting class. Requirements: Performance at all official university functions; attendance at all rehearsals.
Open to all students.
University Concert Choir
This is the premier performing organization of the Claflin University Choral Department with an emphasis on excellent ensemble singing and individual vocal development. A wide variety of the finest and most difficult choral literature from all style periods will be performed. Only the most dedicated and serious vocalists with advanced music skills and vocal maturity will be considered for membership.
Performance tour opportunities will be available for this choir, as well as performances at selected festivals, conventions, and civic organizations at the state, national and international levels. This course is designed to challenge our most experienced vocalists. Private voice lessons are strongly encouraged for all participants.
Audition Only at the discretion of the director.
Men Glee (Singing Panthers)
This is an all male performing organization of the Claflin University Choral Department with an emphasis on excellent male ensemble singing and individual vocal development. A wide variety of the finest and most difficult choral literature from all style periods will be performed. This course is designed to challenge our students interested in the male ensemble experience. Outside rehearsals, performances, and activities are part of the course grade.
Open to all students.
Women's Glee (Bella Voce)
This is an all female performing organization of the Claflin University Choral Department with an emphasis on excellent female ensemble singing and individual vocal development. A wide variety of the finest and most difficult choral literature from all style periods will be performed. Open to all students, this course is designed to challenge our students interested in the female ensemble experience. Outside rehearsals, performances, and activities are part of the course grade.
Open to all students.
Chamber Ensemble
This course is designed to examine, study, rehearse and perform great music from the Renaissance period through contemporary works for both instrumental and vocal at the highest possible level. As the result of a resolute pursuit of the primary objective, secondary goals such as the student’s improvement of vocal technique and production; a growing awareness of musical structure, interpretation of the poetry and increased knowledge of historical periods associated with these great works; and positive social interactions with other members of the vocal or instrumental ensemble, will be achieved. For both instrumental and vocalist.
Open to students that have taken MUSC 127, 128, 227, 228 University Choir MUSC 129, 130, 229, 230 University Band and must audition.
Lyric Theater
This course is designed to assist students in developing performance skills in music theater. The course presents a systematic and practical approach to preparing and analyzing dramatic and musical material through in-depth character analysis, allowing students the opportunity to explore acting and movement principles in performance.
Audition and/or permission of the instructor.
Opera Workshop
This ensemble studies and perform scenes, acts, and/or operas from both the standard repertoire and operas of primarily historical interest.
Open to all students. Audition and permission of instructor.
University Wind Ensemble
This ensemble is the premier instrumental performing ensemble in the Claflin University band program. Comprised of the top wind and percussion students in the program, this ensemble performs both traditional and contemporary instrumental literature.
Open to all students. Audition and permission of instructor.
Chamber Winds
This select group of the strongest instrumentalists performing classical and contemporary chamber music for a variety of mixed instruments. Personnel are selected from the University Wind Ensemble and superior music reading skills are required.
Audition Only at the discretion of the director.
Brasswind Ensemble
This ensemble is the study, rehearsing and performing of brass chamber music, including brass trios, quartets, quintets and mixed ensembles. Also include is development in the knowledge of the standard literature composed for brass chamber ensembles.
Audition and/or permission of the instructor.
Woodwind Ensemble
This ensemble is the study, rehearsing and performing of woodwind chamber music, including woodwind trios, quartets, quintets, and mixed ensembles. Also included is development in the knowledge of the standard literature composed for woodwind chamber ensembles.
Audition and/or permission of the instructor.
Percussion Ensemble
This ensemble is the study, rehearsing and performing of percussion ensemble music, including pitched, non-pitched, and non-western percussion instruments. Also included is development in the knowledge of the standard literature composed for percussion ensembles.
Audition and/or permission of the instructor.
Jazz Ensemble (Big Band)
This ensemble is the premier jazz performing ensemble at Claflin University. They perform throughout the year with a full catalog of various styles of jazz including swing, bebop, Latin, and fusion. Ensemble membership is open to all students and superior music reading skills are required.
Audition and/or permission of the instructor.
Jazz Combos
These small ensembles are formed each semester for the purpose of exploring traditional and contemporary jazz in a more intimate and challenging setting. Personnel are selected from the University Jazz Ensemble and both superior music reading skills and improvisational skills are required.
Audition Only at the discretion of the director.
The Panther Pep Band
This instrumental ensemble performs at all home basketball games and is one of the most popular ensembles for the non-music student. The pep band is known for lively arrangements of the latest hits and for promoting school spirit at each game. Its members represent all departments and majors throughout the campus.
Open to all students. Audition and permission of instructor.
Chamber Orchestra
This course is a performance class open to all string players on campus. This course is designed to cover a variety of literature from several historical periods. Open to all students on campus, off-campus and the greater Orangeburg community members regardless of their field of study. Credit is given for attendance at the weekly rehearsals and concert performances. Emphasis is placed on the study of stylistic concerns of string performance including bowings, articulations, dynamics and ensembles.
Open to all students. Audition and permission of instructor.