Ensembles
Large Ensembles
Chorale
The University Chorale is a large mixed vocal ensemble, under the direction of Professor Thomas McNichols, that has performed a wide variety of choral literature, A Cappella or accompanied by piano, organ, percussion, string quartet or the University orchestra.
The Chorale performs at least one concert on campus each semester and is comprised of SXU students, faculty, staff and talented community members. Registration and participation counts toward the Literature and Fine Arts core requirements.
For further information about University Chorale or our upcoming events, contact Professor Thomas McNichols at tmcnicholsFREESXU.
Wind Ensemble
University Wind Ensemble is an ensemble comprised of music majors and minors in the Music Department, as well as other qualified musicians from other academic disciplines. Through the performance of a wide range of repertoire, the SXU Wind Ensemble provides an opportunity for our students to develop and refine their individual musicianship. The group performs a wide array of repertoire, including original wind band works, chamber works, transcriptions, and experimental "new music" compositions. The ensemble enjoys a rich history of collaborating with faculty soloists, composers, and guest artists from around the world, in addition to being part of the commissioning new works for the wind band repertoire. Participation is open to all SXU students with previous performing experience. Students may be auditioned at the director's discretion for placement.
For further information about Wind Ensemble or our upcoming events, contact Dr. Justin Antos at jantosFREESXU.
Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble performs a wide variety of jazz big band literature including Swing Era classics to Latin, funk, second-line, fusion, and original faculty and student compositions. The Jazz Ensemble performs each year with guest artists and clinicians. Past artists have included NEA Jazz Master Jamey Aebersold. The Saint Xavier Jazz Ensemble performs several concerts on- and off-campus each semester and has traveled to New Orleans to perform at the Jazz Education Network's JENerations Jazz Festival.
This group is open to all University wind, brass, string, piano and percussion players of traditional jazz instruments. Members must audition for placement in the ensemble. For more information, contact Dr. Shawn Salmon at salmonFREESXU.
Small Ensembles
Chamber Music Ensemble
The Chamber Music Ensemble is open to all string players with intermediate to advanced level performing ability. Members audition for placement into the ensemble.
Contact Professor Emily Mantell at mantellFREESXU for more details.
Chamber Singers
The University Chamber Singers ensemble is comprised of music majors/minors, University students, alumni and invited community members who demonstrate excellent ability as choral singers. Members audition for placement in the ensemble.
This small ensemble has recorded two compact discs - Christmas Around the World and Of Wind and Voice. The latter is a recording of music written or arranged specifically for the Flutes Unlimited LTD ensemble and the SXU Chamber Singers.
For further information about Chamber Singers, please contact Professor Thomas McNichols at tmcnicholsFREESXU.
Flute Choir
The Flute Choir studies and performs flute ensemble literature. Members must demonstrate an intermediate-level proficiency and audition for placement in the ensemble.
Registration and participation counts toward the Literature and Fine Arts core requirements. For more information, please contact Professor Jennifer Gosack-Darwell at gosackdarwellFREESXU.
Guitar Ensemble
The Guitar Ensemble performs a wide variety of literature arranged for multiple Classical guitars ranging from Renaissance dances, to Baroque and Classical favorites, as well as Spanish romances and works by modern and popular composers. Open to all University guitarists with permission of the director.
For more information, contact Dr. Shawn Salmon at salmonFREESXU.
Jazz Combos
The SXU Jazz Combos are comprised of two to three small groups of various instrumentation. The combos perform literature ranging from modern jazz compositions from the Bebop Era of the 1940's to the present. The focus of the jazz combos is to help students improve their stills as improvisers in the various jazz styles and traditions. Students regularly compose original works and have record their compositions in professional studios in downtown Chicago. You can access student recordings on our SoundCloud page. These groups are open to all University instrumentalists and vocalists with permission of the director.
For more information, contact Dr. Shawn Salmon at salmonFREESXU.
Opera Workshop
Students interested in joining Opera Workshop must have completed Level I in Applied Voice or consent of director as well as placement/casting through audition by the Opera Workshop Director.
Students registered for Opera Workshop/Theatre will present a staged, costumed production of a complete opera, operetta, or musical theatre work, or scenes from opera, operetta or musical theatre, as chosen by the director. Opera Workshop/Theatre is offered in the Spring term of each academic year, and is open to all appropriately prepared singers.
For further information, contact Professor Thomas McNichols at tmcnicholsFREESXU.
Commercial Band
This student-led ensemble is open to all SXU students interested in learning how to work with other musicians in a band. The Commercial Band plays a variety of genres, including Rock, Pop, Funk, R&B and many more. The students work together to select the music, learn the song, rehearse it as a group, and perform. This ensemble meets every semester.
Any students interested in this ensemble must register for MUS 250 or contact Shawn Salmon at salmonFREESXU.
Percussion Ensemble
This small chamber ensemble provides a place for percussion students and non-percussionists, interested in learning more about percussion, to meet and work together to make music. Recent repertoire selections have included transcriptions of classical period string quartets for mallet percussion instruments, as well as drum-oriented pieces in various ethnic styles.
A challenging and educational ensemble, the SXU Percussion Ensemble is open to all SXU students by audition, and is available for guest appearances and in-school performances in the Chicagoland area.
Contact Professor Brett Baxter at baxterFREESXU for more details.