Ensembles

Students may now audition to join the following chamber groups by contacting the respective directors:

• UCCS String Quartet (MUS 3050)
  • Michael DiBarry |  mdibarry@uccs.edu
• UCCS Brass Ensemble (MUS 3051)
  • Jon Forshee |  jforshee@uccs.edu
• UCCS Sagitta Guitar Ensemble—Guitar Quartet (MUS 3052)
  • Colin McAllister |  cmcallis@uccs.edu
• Jazz Combo (MUS 3053)
  • Jason Crowe | jcrowe2@uccs.edu 

In addition to earning 1 credit hour and ensemble credit, students may have opportunities to play for special events on and off campus. Offered every semester that the groups can be formed.

Open to UCCS students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader campus community.  In addition to repertoire for full orchestra, this ensemble also performs wind ensemble and string repertoire, commissioned pieces, improvisation, popular tunes, and student compositions. We highlight living composers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, including student composers. This ensemble investigates the role of the orchestra in the 21st century, directly addressing our cultures and times, probing the relationship between traditional and modern repertoire as well as the symphony orchestra as a contributor to knowledge and culture. Directed by Dr. Jon Forshee.

Join UCCS's newest ensemble—its first-ever mariachi—where you'll learn and perform traditional songs that celebrate this incredible art form. If you've ever wondered what mariachi is all about or have mariachi experience already, this is your chance to take it as a class where you'll learn from professional musicians. Knowledge of Spanish is a plus but not required. Open to all majors and all levels. Participants will both sing and play an instrument: violin, flute, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, or guitarron. Offered each semester. Directed by Dr. Michael DiBarry.

Sing traditional and adventurous choir music. Students also have opportunities to have featured solos and to choose the repertoire! Offered each semester. Directed by Prof. Solveig Olsen.

Do you want to Rock? UCCS student musicians wanted! brass, woodwinds, pop / rock vocalists, electric guitar, electric bass, drum set, concert percussion, audio engineer (double as performer); additional instruments / strings also welcome.

UCCS ROARchestra is a hybrid rock / show band with a robust brass and wind section. In addition to traditional concert settings, this ensemble expands the live music paradigm to include mobility and choreography—flash mobs, rallies, parades.  This ensemble also calls for a student audio engineer. 

Some musical experience required (cannot accommodate beginners); please contact Dr. Glen Whitehead at gwhitehe@uccs.edu. Offered each semester.

Working both as a big band and in small combos, students study the art of jazz improvisation and perform both standard tunes and works by contemporary jazz composers. Offered each Spring semester.

Working collaborative, students explore innovative combinations of live acoustic music with electronic music using both audio hardware and software. Offered each Fall semester.

Explore unconventional scores, improvise together, and experiment in multiple genres as a collaborative ensemble. Offered each Spring semester.