Chamber Groups
An extensive chamber music program is a central element of instrumental study at Baylor. Young musicians mature when presented with individual expectations of excellence. The demands of one-on-a-part performing experiences are vigorous growth as music makers. Active faculty-in-residence ensembles provide mentoring roles and weekly coachings to instrumental ensembles. Each year, visiting ensembles provide additional enrichment to the campus musical community as well.
Brass
Course Number: MUEN 1131/5031
The chamber music experience at Baylor is a vital part of both the BM and BME programs. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with peers in brass quintets, brass quartets, woodwind quintet, tuba/euphonium ensemble, horn ensemble, trombone choir and large brass ensembles.
Required chamber music study at Baylor provides students with the requisite skills needed to compete professionally. Collaborative skills necessary for work as a musician and educator are honed in these chamber music settings and enhance the overall quality and professionalism of Baylor's large ensembles. Serious time spent in chamber rehearsals and performance increase the efficiency and section cohesiveness in the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.
Baylor is proud to have world-class brass faculty with years of professional chamber experience coaching these groups. The brass department at Baylor regularly hosts professional chamber groups.
Students are assigned to various brass chamber groups according to skill level and year of study. Many of these chamber groups remain together throughout the duration of study at Baylor.
Performance majors are required to take 4 to 6 semesters of chamber music and Music Education majors with an instrumental emphasis a minimum of 4 to 5 semesters. Music Education majors will not enroll in any chamber music the first semesters of study due to the Baylor University Golden Wave Band schedule.
Graduate Brass Quintet – each of the graduate students from the respective studios combine to form a semi-professional brass quintet coached by Wiff Rudd. The Graduate Brass Quintet will help to promote recruitment, pursue recording opportunities and perform in multi faceted venues around Baylor and Texas.
Woodwind
Course Number: MUEN 1132/5032
Woodwind students have the unique opportunity to develop their small ensemble skills by working in a highly structured chamber music program. Each selected group rehearses once a week by themselves and also receives a weekly faculty coaching, with as many as three performances per semester. The students learn how to develop individual musical skills within the group. They also learn how to work together for the common goal of performance. The focus of the ensemble program is to help develop astute listening skills, critical observation, plus fine-tuning individual intonation, musical and technical abilities. Standard repertoire is the foundation of the curriculum.
String
Course Number: MUEN 1130/5030
Participation in chamber music is essential for the development of a student's musical perception, sense of style, leadership abilities, technical facility and expressive capabilities.
An extensive chamber music program is a central element of string study at Baylor. All string majors participate in chamber music. Each semester students rehearse and perform in string quartets, piano trios, or other mixed chamber ensembles. Each group rehearses on its own weekly and is coached each week by a string faculty member. Groups perform twice per semester on string chamber music concerts.
Repertoire ranges from the Viennese classicists and the Romantics to the 20th century and the avante garde.
Percussion
Course Number: MUEN 1133/5033
Jazz Combo
Course Number: MUEN 1138.01
These small-group settings of between four and nine musicians provide the students with the opportunity to learn and apply the techniques and skills of interactive, improvisatory playing that is the hallmark of jazz music. Every jazz combo presents an on-campus recital at the end of each semester, and many of the groups also perform publicly at off-campus venues throughout the year.