Participation Information

Photo of a student playing a string instrument

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, as well as qualified community members, faculty, and staff. 

Continue below for more information about ensemble auditions, applied music lessons, group classes, and more! 

Photo of Marching Band

Blending Traditional and Contemporary Ensemble Experiences

Large performing ensembles include concert choir, symphony orchestra, symphonic winds, jazz ensembles, and marching band. Students may choose to participate in various single-instrument or mixed groups in traditional or contemporary styles, vocal groups, chamber music ensembles, and historical/early music ensembles. 

Find a full list of offerings on the Ensembles List page >>>

Ensembles by Category

Bands and Orchestras

Choirs

Historical Performance

Single-Instrument or Mixed Groups 

Symphonic Winds

Spartan Marching Band

Jazz Ensemble I 

Jazz Ensemble II

Symphony Orchestra

Camerata Chamber Orchestra

Case Concert Choir

Case Glee Club

University Chorale

Baroque Orchestra

Baroque Chamber Ensembles

Baroque Dance

Collegium Musicum

Early Music Singers

Percussion Ensemble

Keyboard Ensemble

Klezmer Music Ensemble

Popular Music Ensemble

String/Piano Chamber Music

Miscellaneous Ensembles (flute, horn, saxophone, jazz combos, guitar, mixed chamber music)

Miscellaneous Ensembles

A handful of affiliated CIM faculty within the Joint Music Program coach miscellaneous ensembles (MUEN 355) in flute, horn, saxophone, jazz combos, guitar, and mixed winds chamber music. Students are typically enrolled in applied music lessons while enrolled in the corresponding ensemble

Auditions/Registration

Auditions for the fall semester take place during the first week of classes. A fall semester audition also counts as an audition for the spring semester, but new members can audition the first week of the spring semester. Follow the audition information for each ensemble by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu. 

  • Undergraduate music majors (new/returning) auditioning on strings/woodwinds/brass will receive an assigned audition time for the fall semester (held on Monday the first week of classes).
  • Music majors/non-majors auditioning on percussion will need to sign up for an audition time (see "Sign Ups" below).
  • Music majors/non-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.

Note: The Spartan Marching Band starts meeting a week early during orientation. Visit the SMB page for the Pre-Season Information Packet. 

New CWRU/CIM Students

Attend our Ensembles Overview during Discover Week! Meet our ensemble directors and learn more about auditions, registration, instrument lockers/loaning, building access, practice rooms, and upcoming performances.

Schedule

Auditions take place during the first week of classes. 

Case Men's Glee Club 2020

Sign-Ups 

Registration

Enrollment permissions are granted in the Student Information System (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. The Drop/Add Period ends on the 2nd Friday of each semester.

Did you know?

Most ensembles have variable credit units between 0.00 and 1.00 credit units, which allows students to participate without exceeding 19 units per semester. 

Performances

All performances held in the Maltz Performing Arts Center as part of the Silver Hall Concert Series or in Harkness Chapel as part of the CWRU Music Concert Series are live-streamed for free concurrently with the posted concert time. All concerts occur in eastern time.


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. 

JMP piano lesson with Gerardo and student
  • Incoming undergraduate music majors will receive notification of their studio placement from the music office in August. Each music major (new/returning) will register for primary applied music lessons and Recital Class1. Students interested in secondary lessons should complete the Secondary Lessons: Policies and Pre-Registration Form.
  • 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 must consult their advisors before beginning the registration process. Once approval has been given, students should then complete the Secondary Lessons: Policies and Pre-Registration Form
  • Music minors/non-majors should review the information and agree to the terms/conditions of secondary lessons before enrolling in SIS. Please complete the Secondary Lessons: Policies and Pre-Registration Form before the first week of classes.
  • NEW! Group Classes for Beginners: Students with little or no prior experience interested in learning guitar/piano/voice are required to take the corresponding Group Music Class for Beginners (MUSP 100) before enrolling in secondary applied music lessons.
  • Applied lesson instructional fees are added to the term bill (per semester) for music minors/non-majors at the end of the Drop/Add period. Rates: $750 (1.00 credit units) for 30-min lessons or $1,500 (2.00 credit units) for 60-min weekly lessons.
  • Applied music lessons (MUAP) cannot be taken as fellowship courses.
  • Tuition fees and instructional fees associated with lessons cannot be waived. No refunds issued after the Drop/Add period.
  • Students should make every effort to register for lessons in SIS and contact their CIM Instructor to schedule their weekly lesson time before the first week of class.

1 Recital Class: This required component of primary lessons for undergraduate music majors meets weekly on Wednesday, 3:20-4:10 PM in Harkness Chapel. Hybrid 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. 


Helpful Resources

Policies and Operating Procedures

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 Policies and Operating 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. Please review our Policies and Operating Procedures for more information. 

Building After-Hours 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 the first day of orientation for music majors and the Monday after drop/add for non-majors. Denison Hall operates on extended hours (8am-10pm, every day) during the first two week of each semester. Please check in with the building monitor on staff if you have questions.

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.

Borrowing an Instrument

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. 

Instrumental Lockers

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.