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Ensembles and Student Groups

The Music and Theatre Arts Department supports many performance ensembles and student groups. Students perform for audiences locally, regionally, throughout the United States, and abroad. These organizations provide students with opportunities to network, pursue leadership positions, earn credit, boost their resumes, and have fun.

Students wishing to participate in music ensembles will register during their registration time. Each ensemble is worth one credit per semester of participation. Auditions are required for some ensembles.

Shippensburg University’s ensembles and groups are made up of students from virtually all majors.

Music Ensembles

Students wishing to participate in music ensembles will register during their registration time.

Ensemble Credit

Each ensemble is worth one credit per semester of participation. If within any given semester you exceed 17 credits:

  • 18+ credits – You will need to apply for special permission by filling out the Request to Exceed Maximum Registration Credits Form.
  • 19+ credits – Including the above, be aware of financial charges that will be applied to your account based on the current per credit tuition rate.

Auditions

Audition requirements and information vary for each ensemble.

If after the audition you are not accepted into the ensemble, you must drop the course before the designated drop date (usually at the end of the first week of classes). Failure to do so will result in you receiving an F for the course.

MUS 101

Credits: 1

Brass Ensemble activities include a concert in the fall semester as well as an annual tour. The ensemble has performed at the New York Brass Conference, Lincoln Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, South Street Seaport in New York, the Washington National Cathedral, in Atlanta, Boston, and in Montreal and Toronto Canada.

Brass performance experience is a must.

Auditions

  • No audition required, pending experience.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester.
  • Incoming/transfer students register during summer orientation.

For more information, contact Trever Famulare at 717-477-1238 or trfamu@ship.edu.

MUS 104

Credits: 1

Concert Band is dedicated to expanding the musical horizons of its members through performance of exemplary traditional and contemporary wind band literature. The ensemble frequently represents the university with performances on campus and during the extensive concert tours each spring. The ensemble has performed at many destinations including Boston, St. Louis, Virginia Beach, Gettysburg, and Walt Disney World. Some concerts have also featured nationally known conductors and soloists such as Anthony Maiello and Anthony Calabrese.

Auditions

  • Membership is open by audition to students with previous wind band experience.
  • Placement auditions are held late in the fall semester and rehearsals are in the spring semester.
  • Open to all university students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument.

For more information, contact Trever Famulare at 717-477-1238 or trfamu@ship.edu.

MUS 105

Credits: 1

Concert Choir is a mixed voice ensemble of 80-90 voices who perform a variety of literature from the different periods of music history. Activities include concerts on campus, an annual tour, and occasional performances at churches and civic functions.

Auditions

  • Auditions are required within or prior to the first week of classes.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester
  • Incoming/transfer students register during summer orientation.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Shoenfelt at 717-477-1638 or ejshoenfelt@ship.edu.

MUS 113

Credits: 1

Jazz Ensemble is for students interested in performing jazz literature representing styles from the Big Band era to the present. In addition to on-campus performances, the ensemble performs in places like Union Station in St. Louis, Mishler Theater in Altoona, and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh.

All woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, bass, and piano players are encouraged to participate.

For more information, contact Trever Famulare at 717-477-1238 or trfamu@ship.edu.

MUS 117

Credits: 1

Madrigal Singers is an ensemble of about 20 voices that perform music of the Renaissance as well as works for chamber choir from various periods. Their activities include Christmas Madrigal Dinners, campus concerts, an annual spring tour, and occasional tours to Europe.

Auditions

  • Auditions are required within or prior to the first week of classes.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester
  • Incoming/transfer students register during summer orientation.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Shoenfelt at 717-477-1638 or ejshoenfelt@ship.edu.

MUS 103

Credits: 1

The "Raider" Marching Band is a corps-style marching, which performs diverse styles of music while executing challenging, contemporary marching drill. Our repertoire includes symphonic, jazz, and pop as well as traditional marches. The band performs and supports the team at all home football games and several away games throughout the season. They also perform in exhibition at high school band festivals and competitions throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland as well as feature performances for the Cavalcade of Bands, Tournament of Bands, USSBA, and the annual Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown.

Membership is open to wind and percussion musicians and front members including silks/rifles and majorettes.

Auditions

  • Auditions are required for Drum Line (July), Color Guard (April-June) and Majorettes (April-June).
  • Auditions are not required for wind players or pit percussion personnel.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester.
  • Incoming/transfer students register during summer orientation.

For more information, contact Trever Famulare at 717-477-1238 or trfamu@ship.edu.

MUS 109

Credits: 1

String Ensemble is primarily made up of students who play instruments of the bowed string family. Students who play instruments other than bowed strings and who are able to collaborate with string instruments, primarily pianists, are also welcome to participate in the ensemble. Repertoire ranges from chamber orchestra pieces for the entire ensemble to chamber music, such as duets, trios, and quartets. Styles of music learned may range from classical repertoire to contemporary popular genres.

Auditions

  • No audition required, pending experience.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester.
  • Incoming/transfer students register during summer orientation.

For more information, contact Mark Hartman at 717-477-1682 or mlhartman@ship.edu.

MUS 132

Credits: 1

The University-Community Orchestra comprises approximately 65 university students, faculty, and staff members, community members, advanced high school students, and professional musicians. It features carefully selected professional string players who mentor and instruct others within their sections. Each semester’s schedule includes weekly two-hour rehearsals that culminate in a full-length concert of symphonic masterpieces.

Auditions

  • Admittance to the orchestra is through open auditions held at the beginning of each semester.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester.
  • Incoming/transfer students register during summer orientation.

For more information, contact Mark Hartman at 717-477-1682 or mlhartman@ship.edu.

MUS 107

Credits: 1

Women’s Chorale is an all-women’s chamber chorus that tours each spring and performs classical concerts on campus. The ensemble has performed throughout the United States, England, Taiwan, Spain and France. The chorale has performed at the White House and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and at Westminster Abbey in London.

Auditions

  • Auditions are required within or prior to the first week of classes.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester
  • Incoming/transfer students register during summer orientation.

For more information, contact Fred Dade at 717-477-1643 or fsdade@ship.edu.

MUS 158

Credits: 1

Woodwind Ensembles are open to any student. Each semester, chamber ensembles are formed to meet the interests of the program’s participants. They perform a wide variety of music styles. Large groups, such as the flute, clarinet and saxophone choirs, are rehearsed and conducted by the faculty director. Smaller ensembles rehearse on their own with occasional faculty coaching. The ensembles perform full-length recitals both on and off campus.

Auditions

  • No audition required, pending experience.
  • Returning students register at their designated time in the spring semester.
  • Incoming students/transfers register during summer orientation.

For more information about Flute Choir, contact Suzanne Thierry at 717-477-1638 or sthierry@ship.edu.

For more information about Clarinet Choir and Saxophone Choir, contact Karen Reath at 717-477-1638 or ksreat@ship.edu.

Music Organizations

Kappa Kappa Psi is a national honorary band fraternity for both men and women. It is open to all students who perform in band ensembles and meet the academic requirements. Activities include service to the band program, the department of music and its organizations as well as social activities.

If you would like more information about Kappa Kappa Psi, please visit their website or contact Professor Trever Famulare at 717-477-1238 or trfamu@ship.edu.

Pi Nu Epsilon is an honor society for university students in musical performing arts organizations that is open to both men and women. It is open to all music students who perform in ensembles and meet the academic requirements. Activities include service to the department of music and its organizations as well as social activities.

If you would like more information about Pi Nu Epsilon, please visit their website or contact Professor Fred Dade at 717-477-1643 or fsdade@ship.edu.

Theatre Groups

Act V Theatre Company is an entirely student-run club that runs a yearly musical and several smaller productions over the academic year. The group also conducts workshops throughout the year that allow group members to hone their skills in all realms of theatre.

Contact Act V Theatre Company

THE 323

Credits: 3

The Little Princess Playhouse is a children’s theatre troupe organized by Dr. Paul Leitner. Children’s Theatre (THE 323) is an academic experience worth three credits that requires permission from the instructor to enroll. It runs every semester and allows students to work with elementary school students at the lab school on campus. The class is ideal for education majors intending on using theatre in the classroom.

Game On Improv is an entirely student-run improvisational troupe. The group puts on live performances on campus.

Contact Game On Improv

Ensembles and Student Groups