The Department of Music is committed to providing meaningful educational and artistic ensemble experiences. We invite all students from other academic disciplines who wish to continue their involvement in music performance to participate. Our ensembles are also open to qualified community members, alumni, faculty, and staff.
Continue below for more information about ensemble auditions/registration, applied music lessons, and practice room access.
Blending Traditional and Contemporary Ensemble Experiences
The Department of Music large ensembles include concert choir, symphony orchestra, symphonic winds, jazz ensembles, and the marching band. In addition to the large performing ensembles, students may choose to participate in specialized groups in Historical Performance (early music), small mixed groups in popular or traditional styles, jazz combos, various woodwind, brass or piano/string chamber ensembles, percussion or keyboard ensembles, and an unaccompanied vocal group. Studio ensembles in flute, horn, saxophone, guitar, and brass are also available to interested students.
Visit the Ensembles List page for a full list of ensemble offerings.
Ensemble List by Category
|
Bands and Orchestras |
Choirs |
Historical Performance |
Other |
|
Symphonic Winds Spartan Marching Band Jazz Ensemble I Jazz Ensemble II Symphony Orchestra Camerata Chamber Orchestra |
Case Concert Choir Case Men’s Glee Club
|
Baroque Orchestra Baroque Chamber Ensembles Baroque Dance Collegium Musicum Early Music Singers |
Percussion Ensemble Klezmer Music Ensemble Keyboard Ensemble Popular Music Ensemble String & Piano Chamber Music Miscellaneous Ensembles |
Miscellaneous Ensembles
A handful of affiliated CIM faculty within the Joint Music Program coach additional studio classes. These include guitar (classical/jazz), horn, flute, brass, and saxophone. Students are typically enrolled in applied music lessons while enrolled in the corresponding studio ensemble. These classes do not fulfill primary ensemble requirements and require concurrent enrollment in either Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Chamber Orchestra or Symphonic Winds (excluding guitar). For more information, please contact:
- Guitar: Don Better
- Horn: Meghan Guegold
- Flute: Heidi Ruby-Kushious
- Brass Quintet: Loren Toplitz
- Saxophone: Greg Banaszak
- Brass/Woodwind Chamber Music: Cynthia Watson
CIM Ensemble Offerings
Auditions and Registration
Full auditions take place the first week of the fall semester. New members can also audition the first week of the spring semester. Audition and registration requirements are outlined on each Ensemble page.
Note: The Spartan Marching Band typically begins rehearsals one week prior to orientation. Visit the Marching Band page to find the Pre-Season Information Packet.
Did you know?
Most ensembles have variable credit hours between 0.00 and 1.00 units, which allows you to participate without exceeding 19 hours per semester.
Enrollment permissions are granted in SIS following a successful audition or after the first week of class. Once course permissions have been granted (before the drop/add period ends) students should return to their SIS account to register in the appropriate MUEN course.
New Students
Please make sure to attend our Ensembles Orientation during Discover Week. Follow the audition information for each ensemble by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu option.
New ensemble members can audition the first week of the spring semester. Audition and registration requirements are outlined on each Ensemble page.
Returning Students
Follow the audition information for each ensemble by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu option.
Music Majors (new and returning)
Undergraduate music majors auditioning on wind, brass, percussion and string instruments will receive an assigned audition time (held on Monday of the first week of class). Music majors auditioning on voice or piano should follow the audition information for each ensemble by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu option.
Find your assigned time:
Instrumental Ensemble Audition Schedule
Resources and Policies
The Case Western Reserve University Department of Music strives to maintain a safe, secure and productive environment for musical creation by university groups and individuals. The following policies and procedures describe which spaces are accessible and for what purpose. Every effort is made to meet the needs of all parties as equitably as possible while preserving the integrity of our facilities.
Please review our Music Facilities Policies & Procedures.
Practice Rooms
CWRU music majors and students enrolled in music ensembles (MUEN) or applied music lessons (MUAP) are provided access to Haydn Hall and/or Denison Hall practice rooms.
Instrumental Locker Policies and Requests
The Department of Music will make instrument storage lockers available to music majors and non-majors currently enrolled in official CWRU Department of Music ensembles, following established university guidelines and policies.
Building Card Swipe Access
All music majors and CWRU students enrolled in ensembles or lessons will automatically be activated for card swipe access to Denison Hall and Haydn Hall. Card swipe access will begin August 8 for music majors and on Monday after drop/add for non-majors. During orientation week through drop/add, Denison Hall operates on extended hours (8am-10pm, every day) while Haydn Hall operates within standard business hours (8am-6pm, M-F).
Individuals who require building access but do not fall into the above categories can request card swipe access to Haydn Hall or Denison Hall by submitting the Music Building Access Request.
Your Guide to Borrowing an Instrument
The Department of Music maintains a limited inventory of instruments for student use. Our instruments are not available for public use. A policy has been put in place by the Ensembles Committee to have students complete and sign a contract when borrowing school-owned instruments or equipment for very special circumstances.
Operational Plans for the 2021-22 Academic Year
Please review the operational plans outlined in our Resources for Current Students.
Applied Music Lessons
All CWRU students can take applied music lessons (MUAP) for academic credit with affiliated CIM faculty members through our Joint Music Program.
- Incoming undergraduate music majors will receive notification of their studio placement from the music office in August. Each student will register for principal applied music lessons (MUAP 121) and Recital Class1. Students interested in secondary lessons should complete the Pre-Registration Form: Secondary Applied Music Lessons.
- Graduate or professional students in music must receive a lesson assignment from their faculty advisor before meeting with Jennifer Wright during orientation to register. Students interested in secondary lessons should complete the Pre-Registration Form: Secondary Applied Music Lessons.
- Non-majors and music minors should complete the Pre-Registration Form: Secondary Applied Music Lessons prior to August 20 (fall term) or December 20 (spring term).
- Students should make every effort to register for lessons in SIS and contact their CIM Instructor to schedule their weekly lessons time before the first week of class.
1) Recital Class, a required component of primary lessons for undergraduate music majors that meets every Wednesday, 3:20-4:10 PM in Harkness Chapel. Course delivery: in-person and asynchronous instruction. Students are required to perform once during the academic year and serve as stage managers the week following their performance.
