Student Ensembles

Symphony Orchestra

MusA 122/322/522

Directed by Josh Skinner, D.A., Symphony Orchestra is open to all string and wind players by audition. The orchestra plays masterworks from all musical periods, concentrating on the “classics” of orchestral repertoire.

Auditions: All string players audition on Tuesday afternoon of the first week of classes (fall semester). All wind players are auditioned by the faculty members of those instruments. (See Wind Ensemble audition information.)

Wind Ensemble

MusA 120/320/520

Directed by professor Mark Thiele, D.M.A., Wind Ensemble is the university’s premiere band. It is open to all students by audition. It is comprised of approximately fifty undergraduate and graduate students and performs the finest in wind band literature.

Auditions: Auditions occur early in the first week of classes (by end-of-day Wednesday). Students audition for the instructor of their instrument. Sign-up sheets for auditions will be placed on faculty doors by noon on Monday. Students should prepare an etude/solo, scales and be able to sight-read.

Vandal Marching Band

MusA 119/319/519

Marching Band is open to all students during the fall semester. This Idaho band has a reputation that extends far beyond the Northwest. Over the years, it has performed at Idaho football games throughout the West, as well as at professional games in San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle. It is our practice to have the West’s finest marching band with the minimum amount of rehearsal. In addition to a great musical experience, students also receive a scholarship each year they participate in the Marching Band. The Vandal Marching Band is directed by Professor Spencer Martin.

Monday - Friday 12:30 - 1:20 p.m.

Auditions: No audition is required.

Concert Band

MusA 121/321/521

The Concert Band is open to all students and performs two concerts each semester. The group performs standard repertoire and is directed by Professor Jason Johnston.

Auditions: No audition is required.

Jazz Bands

MusA 123/323/523

Jazz bands are an integral part of the music program. These groups meet two or three hours per week and are open to all majors by audition. Public appearances include campus concerts, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and some travel for off-campus concerts and festivals.

Auditions: All auditions will be held early in the first week of classes. Audition information and sign-up sheets will be on the Jazz Band bulletin board across from Music 210. Contact Vern Sielert with questions. (verns@uidaho.edu)

Jazz Choirs

Jazz Choir I: MusA 118/318/518
Jazz Choir II: MusA 365

The award-winning Jazz Choir program, under the direction of professor Daniel Bukvich, is the largest of its kind in the country, involving over 200 students each semester. The program consists of two ensembles.

Jazz Choir I is the large choir of nearly two hundred singers that performs custom choral arrangements of various styles with the assistance of fifteen to twenty instrumentalists.

Jazz Choir II is a highly select small vocal jazz ensemble, specializing in close harmony arrangements and choral versions of instrumental jazz standards. With some exceptions, singers in Jazz Choir II are selected from the membership of Jazz Choir I.

Auditions: Jazz Choir I does not require an audition. Jazz Choir II is open to audition on a limited basis. Contact professor Bukvich for details.

Vandaleers Concert Choir

MusA 116/316/516

Directed by David Klement, the Vandaleers Concert Choir has a long and proud tradition. This select group performs the finest choral repertoire of all styles and eras, and serves as the premiere touring choral ensemble at the University of Idaho. In addition to frequent tours of the Northwest region, past concert tours have taken the ensemble to Europe, South America, Washington, D.C., Carnegie Hall in New York City and most recently, a concert tour of Austria, Germany and Czech Republic in 2010. Vandaleers rehearse four hours per week and membership is open to all students by audition.

Auditions: An audition is required. If you are interested in this ensemble, please register, and you will be contacted during the first week of class to set up an audition. Email David Klement, D.M.A. with questions.

Tenor/Bass Ensemble

MusA 117/317/517 Section 2

Directed by David Klement, the Tenor/Bass Ensemble is a musical outlet for all U of I students, faculty and staff who sing tenor or bass. The choir performs diverse literature for tenor/bass voices.

Auditions: A voice placement is required. If you're interested in this ensemble, please register and you will be contacted during the first week of the semester to set up an audition. Email David Klement with questions.

Treble Choir

MusA 117/317/517 Section 1

Directed by David Klement, the Treble Choir is a musical outlet for all U of I students, faculty and staff who sing soprano or alto. The choir performs diverse literature written for treble voices.

Auditions: A voice placement is required. If you're interested in this ensemble, please register and you will be contacted during the first week of the semester to set up an audition. Email David Klement with questions.

Opera Workshop

MusA 180/380/580

The opera studio performs a fully staged opera/musical or a scenes program of opera, operetta and musical theater excerpts in alternate semesters. 

Production Auditions: All singers audition at the beginning of the semester and present either an operatic aria or a song from musical theatre. Production Auditions: Auditions are at the beginning of the fall semester (for fall productions) or at the end of the fall semester (for spring productions) and singers present either an operatic aria or a song from musical theatre.