Performing Ensembles at
Augusta State
Orchestra
The Augusta State University Orchestra is a large ensemble comprised primarily of Augusta State University music majors and minors, as well as a few ASU non-music majors and community members. The orchestra began as the Augusta College Youth Orchestra directed by Dr. Eloy Fominaya. Dr. Angela Morgan was appointed music director in 1995 and the ensemble was renamed the Augusta State University Orchestra. Since 2005 Dr. Martin David Jones has been Music Director. Since its inception, the Augusta State University Orchestra has grown in size and quality. In addition to its regular concert season performances, the orchestra also performs run-out concerts at Brandon-Wilde, plays at the ASU graduation ceremony, and is the featured ensemble for the concerto competition winner's concert. During the 2010-11 season the ASU Orchestra was a featured ensemble at the 2010 Georgia Music Teachers Association Conference. The orchestra's repertoire includes composers as diverse as Bach, Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mendelssohn, Ennio Morricone, Michael Torke, and John Williams. This Season includes an exciting series of concerts, including a performance that collaborates with the ASU Choirs.
Wind Ensemble
The Augusta State University Wind Ensemble is the university's premiere wind band. It is comprised mainly of music majors, but is open to all students on the ASU campus. The ensemble performs a wide variety of literature ranging from standards of the band repertoire, to the most recent compositions, representing works by the finest composers. The Wind Ensemble performs several times throughout the year in the state of the art Maxwell Performing Arts Theater. Membership is determined by auditions held at the beginning of each semester. Those interested should contact the director (Dr. John Wojcik at jwojcik@aug.edu)
University Singers, Chorale, men's Ensemble, WOMen's Ensemble, and Chamber Singers
The Department of Music offers a nicely-rounded choral experience through men's and women's ensembles, mixed ensembles (including both men and women), combined choirs, and a chamber group. These groups are known as University Singers, Chorale, Men's Ensemble, Women's Ensemble, and Chamber Singers.
Both Chorale and University Singers are open to all qualified ASU students, regardless of major. An audition is required for placement in one of the ensembles. Students should contact Dr. Hobbins (whobbins@aug.edu or 706-667-4873) or Professor Myers (pmyers@aug.edu or 706-667-4872) for information. Once involved in one of the above groups, students will automatically be placed in Men's and Women's Ensemble. These groups rehearse and perform choral literature from widely-ranging historical periods, linguistic and cultural contexts, and styles.
Placement in Chamber Singers is available by audition or invitation from the membership of University Singers. Auditions are held periodically based on need. This group specializes in choral music suitable for the small ensemble, with some emphasis on madrigals, motets, jazz, and folksongs.
Opera Ensemble
The program is designed for students interested in the performance of operatic and musical theater repertoire. The organization presents a recital of scenes in the fall and a fully mounted production of either an opera or a musical at least every other spring semester. Since the Spring of 2000, the program has produced several scene recitals, five operas, and four musicals, in which several hundred students have participated. Opera ensemble is open to performers of opera and musical theater at Augusta State University, and all alums and community members interested in performing.
