Ensembles

MEIS ENSEMBLES

Ensembles are a required co-requisite for all Audition Track, Performance and Singer/Songwriter students in order to take applied lessons (private 1:1 lessons on primary instrument).

If students have specific questions about requirements for the different emphasis areas, we encourage them to meet with their advisor to discuss the different options & requirements. For questions in regards to audition information and/or ensemble details, students can reach out to the ensemble Director directly or contact the MEIS Front Desk for further assistance.

Ensemble Descriptions

Ensemble Title and Course Number	Ensemble Description	Instrumentation
UCD A Cappella Voices Ensemble PMUS 1420	Beginning Ensemble. A cappella choir. Will focus on choral singing to further the student's musical and vocal skills. Emphasis will be on successful preparation for the advanced a cappella groups. Prereq: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	Beginners with good vocal and musical potential are welcome, subject to an internal audition process for part placement. Minimal choral experience, e.g., church, high school, etc.
Performance Practice Ensemble PMUS 1470	Students perform weekly in an on stage professional setting. Ensemble members perform in solo, duet and group configurations. The instructor and peers critique performances. Course activities include: performance protocol, musical presentation, self-assessment and peer-assessment. This ensemble is open to all MEIS majors and minors. No audition is required and it can be repeated once for ensemble credit. Non-audition track students are encouraged to take this ensemble after or during enrollment in their applied lessons.	Open to all instruments, DAW and vocalists
Pop/Rock Ensemble PMUS 2430	Intermediate Ensemble. Will focus on group rehearsals of contemporary music with challenging technical and vocal requirements. Students will gain experience in transcribing and creating simple arrangements, learning adequate musicality, performing presentation and group cooperation. Prereq: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	General instrumentation of pop / rock styles. Also can take any acoustic instrumentation of strings, brass, and winds.
Hip Hop/R&B Ensemble PMUS 2435	Intermediate Ensemble. Will focus on group rehearsals of R&B/Hip Hop stylings, both current and classic repertoire. Challenging technical and vocal requirements. Students will gain experience in transcribing and creating basic arrangements, learning musicianship, live stage performance and group cooperation. Pre-req: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	Drum kit, Drum pad & Percussion, MPC, Bass, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, advanced vocalist, emcees/rappers welcome to audition
Mobile Device Ensemble PMUS 2470	The CU Denver Mobile Device Ensembles are groups of students using only laptops, iPods & iPhones to perform as an ensemble. The music ranges from modern EDM grooves to more experimental ambient stylings and all things in-between. Led by instructor Todd Reid, this ensemble will perform solo, duo and group pieces that feature original music and remixes of popular songs.	Laptop computers, iPods, iPhones. Students will be required to supply their own mobile devices and apps.
New Electronics Orchestra PMUS 2495	A performance laboratory dedicated to the combination of electronic and acoustic instruments, including improvisation, composition, as well as live video and game sound design. Prereq: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	All synthesizers, acoustic orchestra and band instruments, samplers and signal processors.
Singer/Songwriter Ensemble PMUS 3450	Advanced ensemble. Focus on student compositions of original songs with lyrics and instrumental accompaniment, including lead sheets for band performances. Culminates in a final concert with band. Students participate in community-building activities, including an annual mountain songwriting retreat. Prereq: Audition. Email ensemble faculty. Prereq: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	Vocalists. Self-accompanying skills highly encouraged.
Ninth Street Singers Ensemble PMUS 3460	Signature Ensemble. Elite a cappella mixed choir. This course will focus on group rehearsals of various genres of vocal ensemble music, including pop, rock, jazz, musical theater, and gospel. Prereq: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	Voice only. Previous choral experience, basic music theory knowledge and sight reading ability highly desirable. This group performs difficult music in 8 part harmony.
Claim Jumpers Ensemble PMUS 4410	The Claim Jumpers Ensemble focuses on traditional jazz and blues literature. Emphasis is placed on the musical skills necessary to perform in an improvised musical setting. Commitment involves performances on and off campus. Audition required. Scholarships available.	Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet/Sax, Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Bass/Tuba, and Drum set.
Guitar Ensemble PMUS 4430	Signature Ensemble. Advance jazz guitar group. This course will focus on group rehearsals of bebop and fusion. Prereq: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	4 (electric) guitarists, 1 bassist (acoustic or electric), 1 drummer, and the possibility of 1 pianist.
Voz de la Clave PMUS 4440	Signature Ensemble. This ensemble performs Salsa and Afro-Caribbean music. Ensemble time is spent rehearsing repertoire and learning about Latin music concepts. Prereq: Audition or meeting with ensemble faculty. Max hours: 8 Credits.	Voice (with the ability to pronounce Spanish--fluency in the language not needed), drum set/timbales, conga/bongo, bass, guitar, piano, brass/woodwinds/strings
Lark A Cappella Ensemble PMUS 4470	Advanced a cappella performing group, working in a wide range of stylistic offerings. Enrollment by audition only. Max hours: 8 Credits.	Voice only. Previous choral experience, basic music theory knowledge and sight reading ability highly desirable. This group performs difficult music in 6 part harmony.