Ensembles
Ensemble performance – an important part of your education
Dana School of Music has a wide range of performance opportunities—no matter your major. From the traditional to the experimental, we offer a rich diversity of performance experiences for all university students.
Music majors typically perform in an ensemble each semester. Our large and small ensembles have a long history of musical excellence and will provide you with real-world preparation. In addition to community and regional performances, Dana ensembles have appeared at prestigious venues such as Carnegie and Severance Halls and Cleveland's Bop Stop.
Most of our ensembles require auditions, and auditions for all groups are open to non-music majors. Other ensembles do not require an audition, and students from any major across campus may enroll.
There are a variety of ways to express yourself musically at YSU!
Bands
All Youngstown State University students have the opportunity to perform with the YSU Marching Band (A.K.A. Marching Pride) and Pep Band. These groups not only provide participants with a dynamic educational and musical experience but also allow them to be a part of a vibrant and tightly knit community.
Marching Pride
Audition: No audition for wind players or percussionists; auditions for the color guard and twirlers are held each spring.
The Youngstown State University Marching Pride is one of the most visible organizations on campus! We invite you to see for yourself why so many people say the Marching Pride is one of the highlights of their college career
Learn how to join the Marching Pride
Pep Band
Auditions: Required.
The Pep Band performs for all men's and women's home basketball games as well as Horizon League Conference tournament games. To alleviate the time commitment of our season, the Pep Band is comprised of two bands of forty members, a Red and White Pep Band.
Auditions: Not required.
The Dana Concert Band performs works of the traditional wind band repertoire as well as newly composed works by leading composers. Membership is comprised of music majors and non-majors.
Auditions: Required. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester.
The Youngstown State University Wind Ensemble is one of the premier ensembles in the Dana School of Music and is comprised from among the top wind and percussion students in the school.
The ensemble performs a broad spectrum of the finest literature in the wind band medium, including music for large ensemble as well as chamber winds.
Choral
Auditions: Required. Auditions are held during the first three weeks of August.
Dana Chorale is the premier choral ensemble of Youngstown State University. While comprised primarily of musicians from the Dana School of Music, the Chorale welcomes artists of every academic discipline with a love of and capacity for high-level choral singing. The ensemble performs regularly on campus and throughout the region.
The Chorale performs diverse choral canon of all eras and genres consistently at the highest level, with the repertoire ranging from intimate a cappella settings to grandiose score with an orchestra and from the Renaissance madrigal and motet to delightful contemporary compositions.
Auditions: Required. Announced prior to each semester.
The Dana Opera Ensemble is open to all students at YSU. A scenes program is prepared and performed during the fall semester, and one full-length opera is prepared and performed during the spring semester.
Auditions: Required. For information about auditions, productions, and more, contact Adam Day Howard.
DSM students have the opportunity to participate in Musical Theatre productions, which allows them to enhance their areas of focus and broaden future professional endeavors.
Jazz
Auditions: Required; arranged by faculty coach.
Multiple Jazz Combos are formed each semester performing music ranging from jazz to standards to compositions and arrangements by members of the ensemble. Each combo works with a faculty coach.
For additional information about the YSU Jazz Ensemble, contact Dr. Engelhardt.
Auditions: Required. Auditions for jazz ensembles are held at the beginning of the fall semester. Auditions for spring semester are held only as needed to fill open chairs.
The YSU Jazz Ensemble performs repertoire ranging from traditional jazz big band composers and arrangers to modern 21st century composers, including our current Dana faculty and students.
For additional information about the YSU Jazz Ensemble, contact Dr. Engelhardt.
Orchestras
Auditions: Required. Arranged by faculty coach.
DSM provides music students and experienced string players from other majors the opportunity to collaborate with our acclaimed faculty in Chamber Orchestra. Students perform in trios, quartets, and larger ensembles. They receive regular face-to-face coachings and regularly hold concerts on and off campus.
For additional information about String Chamber Music at YSU, contact Rachel Stegeman.
Chamber
Auditions: Required. Arranged by faculty coach.
Brass musicians at DSM have numerous opportunities to perform in Brass Chamber Music. Instrumentation configurations include same- and mixed- instrument ensembles. Students receive regular coachings with Dana faculty and enjoy frequent performance opportunities on campus and across the region. Non-majors are also invited to participate.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Mitchell.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The Dana School of Music offers multiple collaborative Chamber Music opportunities coached by world-class faculty. Each semester, nearly 12 groups receive regular coaching and have opportunities to perform on and off campus.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Mitchell.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The YSU Clarinet Choir provides an opportunity for YSU clarinetists to experience a tradition of clarinet chamber music with origins in 19th century Belgium. They perform on a wide variety of clarinets and often conduct rehearsals and compose works for the ensemble. The group presents multiple concerts annually throughout the region.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Wang.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The YSU Flute Ensemble performs compositions in multiple styles, including works written specifically for the group. Ensemble members have the opportunity to play a wide range of flutes and have been featured in concert at National Flute Association Conventions, including in New York City and Washington DC. The ensemble presents concerts around the region throughout the year.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Stephanie Carter Dennis.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
All DSM guitarists are offered a wealth of Guitar Ensemble opportunities. Guitar students engage in diverse group settings, such as classical guitar quartets, jazz combos and ensembles, and chamber music ensembles featuring classical guitar alongside voice, flute, violin, and other instruments. Groups perform regularly throughout the community and region.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Folwer.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Van Parker.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The DSM Musical Theatre Pit Orchestra provides instrumental accompaniment for University Theatre's Musical Theatre productions. The ensemble is open to student musicians and varies in instrumentation, size, and style based on the demands of each production.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Adam Day Howard.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The YSU Percussion Ensemble is one of the premiere chamber ensembles at the Dana School of Music. The repertoire includes an extensive range of genres and styles.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Schaft.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The YSU Saxophone Quartet upholds a distinguished tradition of excellence. They have performed numerous times at multiple prestigious venues, including the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium and the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference. Students rehearse on their own several times each week and also receive a weekly coaching session with Dr. Umble. Membership is open to all YSU students through an audition process, ensuring a high level of performance and artistry within the group.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Umble.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The YSU Trombone Ensemble maintains a long history of excellence. Focus is placed on improving students' musicianship and ensemble skills while broadening their knowledge of repertoire. Membership is open to all YSU students by audition.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Mitchell.
Auditions: Required or upon approval of the instructor.
The YSU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble is an exciting and inclusive group of both music majors and non-majors. With performances both on and off campus, this group offers students a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of musical styles. The YSU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble earned an honorary mention at the final round of the prestigious Mid West Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference (MWRTEC) Ensemble Competition in 2022.
For additional information about Brass Chamber Music at YSU, contact Dr. Onitsuka.
