Exceptional performance opportunities for students from all academic majors!
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. There are a multitude of ways for you to express yourself musically at YSU.
Ensemble performance – an important part of your education
Most music majors will perform in ensembles each semester. Our large and small ensembles have a long history of musical excellence and offer students real-world preparation. This provides you with valuable experience, both in performing and in collaborating with others. And the breadth of our ensemble offerings will enable you to experience a wide range of musical genres and styles. Learn more about the extensive opportunities and get excited about all the possibilities that await you!
Dana School of Music Ensembles
Most ensembles require auditions during specified times at the start of each semester, and all auditions are open to non-music majors. Other ensembles do not require an audition and are available to any student across campus.
If you require accessibility accommodations for audition materials, or have other questions about the audition process, the appropriate contact information is listed alongside each area.
Instrumental Ensembles
- Athletic Bands
Marching Pride
MUEN 0006 Marching Band
Audition: Not Required
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
MUED 0041 Pep Band
Audition: Required
The Pep Band performs for all home men’s and women’s basketball 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.
We perform for numerous on-campus and local events and host an annual "Jam The Gym" event, which is open to all high school musicians.
For additional information about Concert Band, please contact Dr. Kate Ferguson at (330) 941-1834 or keferguson@ysu.edu.
- Concert Band
MUEN 0005 Concert Band
Audition: Not Required
The YSU Concert Band performs literature ranging from traditional band pieces to newly composed works by leading composers. Membership is comprised of music majors and non-majors.
For additional information Concert Band, please contact Dr. Kate Ferguson at (330) 941-1834 or keferguson@ysu.edu.
- Wind Ensemble
MUEN 0007 Wind Ensemble
Audition: 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 wind band literature and has received numerous invitations to perform at state and national venues, including at the OMEA Professional Development Conference, CBDNA North-Central Regional Convention, MENC/NAfME National Convention, Carnegie Hall, Severance Hall, and many more.
For additional information about the Wind Ensemble, please contact Dr. Michael Butler at (330) 941-1832 or mbutler03@ysu.edu.
- Symphony Orchestra
MUEN 0008 Symphony Orchestra
Audition: Required
Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester
The YSU Dana Symphony Orchestra is comprised from among the top string, wind, and percussion students in the school.
The orchestra performs a comprehensive repertoire of the finest works from the 18th to the 21st centuries, including collaborations with multiple guest artists and Dana School of Music and University Theatre ensembles.
For additional information about the Symphony Orchestra, please contact Dr. Michael Butler at (330) 941-1832 or mbutler03@ysu.edu.
- Jazz Ensemble
MUEN 0023 Jazz Ensemble
Audition: 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 Jazz Ensemble, please contact Dr. Kent Engelhardt at (330) 941-1543 or kjengelhardt@ysu.edu.
- Musical Theatre Ensemble
MUEN 0027 Musical Theatre Ensemble
Audition: Required or upon approval of the instructor
Each semester a musical theatre pit orchestra rehearses and accompanies the musical production. To learn more, interested musicians should reach out to the University Theatre office (Stephanie P’s contact info). Further information may be found in the YSU Course Catalog.
Interested musicians should contact the Dana School of Music office at (330) 941-3635 or srpavlovich@ysu.edu.
- Guitar Ensemble
MUEN 0029 Guitar Ensemble
Audition: Required or upon approval of the instructor
The YSU Guitar Ensemble provides both large and chamber ensemble experiences for guitarists that includes repertoire from the jazz, classical, and commercial genres.
For additional information about the Guitar Ensemble, please contact Dr. François Fowler at (330) 941-3636 or fpfowler@ysu.edu.
Vocal Ensembles
- Dana Chorale
MUEN 0002 Dana Chorale
Audition: Required
Auditions are held during the first week of classes
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.
For additional information about Dana Chorale, please contact Dr. Hae-Jong Lee at (330) 941-3799 or hlee01@ysu.edu.
- Gospel Choir
MUEN 0025 Gospel Choir
Audition: Not Required
The Youngstown State University Gospel Choir is a mixed-voice ensemble that is devoted to the understanding, engaging, and performing of the unique repertory of Gospel music and the music of African-American composers.
For additional information about Gospel Choir, please contact Jonathon Turner at jbturner@ysu.edu.
- University Chorus (Voices of YSU)
MUEN 0004 University Chorus
Audition: Not Required
University Chorus (Voices of YSU) is comprised of the diverse voices, from both a vocal and personal background perspective, at Youngstown State University. In this ensemble, students from any major take leadership roles in various capacities and have ownership in the music they create. As part of the learning process, Voices consistently collaborates with other artists and musicians. This ensemble serves numerous academic and social goals for students.
For additional information about Symphony Orchestra, please contact Adam Howard, M.F.A at adhoward05@ysu.edu or (330)-941-3633.
- Dana Opera Ensemble
MUEN 0012 Dana Opera Ensemble
Audition: 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.
The Dana Opera Ensemble is designed to help the student learn about the complex process of creating an operatic experience through the mastery of roles, proper diction and character development. The student learns how to relate to other performers, how to choreograph their movements on stage, and follow a conductor while acting.
For additional information about Dana Opera Ensemble, please contact Dr. Misook Yun at (330) 941-3644 or myun@ysu.edu.
Small Ensembles
- Chamber Music
MUEN 0016 Woodwind Ensemble (like instruments)
MUEN 0018 Horn Choir
MUEN 0019 Trombone Ensemble
MUEN 0020 Tuba Ensemble
MUEN 0022 Trumpet Ensemble
MUEN 0026 Chamber Orchestra
MUEN 0031 Chamber Music
MUEN 0035 Saxophone Quartet
MUEN 0044 Barbershop Singers
Audition: 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 Chamber Music, please contact the Dana School of Music office at (330) 941-3635 or srpavlovich@ysu.edu.
- Percussion Ensemble
MUEN 0009 Percussion Ensemble
Audition: 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 classic 20th- and 21st-century works, contemporary and experimental music, composer commissions, YSU student compositions, marimba ensemble, group improvisation, and Latin/world percussion styles such as - West African, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian styles. Our numerous live performances, composer commissions, premiere performances, and recordings demonstrate the breadth of our mission.
For additional information about Percussion Ensemble, please contact Dr. Glenn Schaft at (330) 518-4812 or geschaft@ysu.edu.
- Contemporary Ensemble
MUEN 0013 Contemporary Ensemble
Audition: Required
Arranged by faculty coach
The Contemporary Ensembles provide an outlet for students interested in modern, popular, contemporary, and commercial music styles. The style and instrumentation are determined in a collaborative way by the members of the ensemble and faculty coach.
For additional information about the Contemporary Ensemble, please contact the Dana School of Music office at (330) 941-3635 or srpavlovich@ysu.edu.
- Jazz Combo
MUEN 0030 Jazz Combo
Audition: 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 Jazz Combo, please contact the Dana School of Music office at (330) 941-3635 or srpavlovich@ysu.edu.
All upcoming student ensemble events may be found here.
