Ensembles

Large Ensembles

MUS 184 - Cardinal Marching Band (Dr. Dana Mandell, Director of Bands)

The Cardinal Marching Band performs at all home football games, at a season ending concert and at other campus events during the fall semester. The band prepares 3 to 5 halftime shows each season drawing on music from the pop, rock, Latin and jazz repertoires.
Prerequisite: High school marching band experience or instructor permission.
Credits: 2 cr
Notes: Open to all SVSU students.

Joining the SVSU Cardinal Marching Band!

MUS 186 - Wind Ensemble (Dr. Dana Mandell, Director of Bands)

An instrumental ensemble that plays a broad range of wind literature designed for a single player per part.
Prerequisite: Audition and instructor permission
Credits: 1 cr

MUS 186 - Wind Ensemble Audition Instructions:

Wind Ensemble, MUS 186, meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00-3:50 in the fall semester. Membership in the ensemble is open to anyone by audition or instructor permission.

Wind Ensemble Audition Requirements

If you were a member of the wind ensemble in Fall 2025, you do not need to reaudition. I will enter permission for you to enroll.
If you were not a member of the wind ensemble in Fall 2025, and you are a music major or minor performing a jury this semester, you may use your jury as your audition. You just need to let Dr. Wood know so that I can be there or hear a recording.
If neither of these cases apply, you will be required to do a recorded audition. It can be either video or audio. It should include the following:
- Chromatic scale over the full range of the instrument.
- A concert Bb major scale played in half notes over a drone. Drones may be found on youtube or in many tuner apps.
- A prepared piece that shows off your best playing.
- Recordings are due by July 1
Upload to an unlisted YouTube channel and email the link to nwika@svsu.edu OR
Send a OneDrive or Google drive link to Dr. Wika, nwika@svsu.edu

Percussion Auditions

All percussionists should pick 2 of the following:

Snare drum solo
Keyboard (preferably marimba, but any will work)
Timpani

Videos do not need to be long. 1-2 minutes is enough.

All videos should be uploaded to an unlisted youtube channel and the link emailed to nwika@svsu.edu.

MUS 189 - Cardinal Singers (Dr. Leticia Grutzmann, Director of Choirs)

A select chamber vocal ensemble that sings a variety of literature that is both accompanied and unaccompanied.
Prerequisite: Audition and instructor permission.
Credits: 1 cr
Interest form for SVSU Choirs

MUS 183 - Concert Band (Dr. Dana Mandell, Director of Bands)

The Concert Band reads, rehearses and performs a wide variety of music. This includes marches, show tunes, popular music and contemporary and standard works from the band and wind ensemble repertoire. Student soloists also perform with the band. The concert band performs an annual spring concert and at the spring commencement.
Prerequisite: High school band experience or instructor permission.
Credits: 1 cr
Notes: Open to all SVSU students.

MUS 181 - Concert Choir (Dr. Leticia Grutzmann, Director of Choirs)

A large vocal ensemble that sings a variety of literature that is both accompanied and unaccompanied.
Prerequisite: Prior membership or instructor permission.
Credits: 1 cr
Interest form for SVSU Choirs

MUS 185 - Jazz Ensemble (Dr. Colin Wood, Director of Jazz Studies)

Study and performance of classic and contemporary big band literature. Rehearsal twice a week with one performance at the end of the semester. Emphasis on correct style & improvisation.
Prerequisite: Audition and instructor permission.
Credits: 1 cr
Jazz Audition Instructions Here

Small Ensembles

MUS 481A: Percussion Ensemble: Dr. Paige Madden
MUS 481B: Cardinal Combo: Dr. Colin Wood
MUS 481C: Valley Combo: Dr. Colin Wood
MUS 481D: Guitar Ensemble: Eric Merkle
MUS 481E: Pit Orchestra: Dr. Norman Wika
MUS 481F: Chamber Music: Dr. Colin Wood
MUS 481G: String Orchestra: Dr. Norman Wika
MUS 481H: Piano Ensemble: Dr. Chia-Ying Chan

Non-curricular groups:

Flute Choir: Dr. Townes Miller
Valley Steel: Dr. Paige Madden

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