General Information

Ensembles

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 (Baroque), small mixed groups (popular and traditional), jazz combos, various woodwind, brass, piano, and string chamber ensembles, single-instrument groups (percussion or keyboard), and an unaccompanied vocal group. Studio ensembles in flute, horn, saxophone, guitar, and brass are also available to interested students. 

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. 

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.

Continue below for more information about ensemble auditions/registration, applied music lessons, and practice room access.

Music ensembles: Symphony Orchestra (main), Case Men's Glee Club (top right), Percussion Ensemble (middle right), Popular Voice (bottom right)

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: Marching Band typically begins rehearsals one week prior to orientation. Contact the director for details.

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. Most ensembles are offered at variable credit (0.00-1.00 units).

1st-year Students | Please make sure to attend our Music Ensembles Overview during Discover Week. Sign up for an audition time by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu option. 

Returning Students | Undergraduate music majors (winds, brass, percussion, and strings) will be assigned an audition time, which will be communicated by email from the Department of Music in August. 

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

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 15 (fall term) or December 15 (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, meets every Wednesday, 3:20-4:10 PM in Harkness Chapel. Course delivery: hybrid instruction. Students are required to perform once during the academic year and serve as stage managers the week following their performance. Attendance is mandatory, but exemptions are made for conflicting academic courses.}

Building Access/Practice Rooms/Lockers

Please review our Music Facilities Policies & Procedures. CWRU music majors and students enrolled in music ensembles (MUEN) or applied music lessons (MUAP) are provided after-hours access to Haydn Hall and/or Denison Hall. All practice rooms remain open 24/7 and are first come first served with priority given to music majors.

After-hours access will begin August 8 for music majors and on the Monday after drop/add for non-majors. All music majors and CWRU students enrolled in ensembles or lessons will automatically be activated for after-hours access to Denison Hall and Haydn Hall. During orientation through drop/add, Denison Hall operates on extended hours (8am-10pm every day) while Haydn Hall operates within standards business hours (8am-6pm, M-F).

Individuals who require building access but do not fall into the above categories can submit the After-Hours Request Form.