School of Music
Ensembles
Instrumental
Chamber Music
Potential ensembles include Flute Choir, woodwind chamber groups, brass chamber groups, Percussion Ensemble, string chamber groups, and mixed chamber groups.
Ceòl na Teud
Director: Dr. Melinda Crawford Perttu
Ceòl na Teud, the Scottish string music ensemble, is open to all orchestral string players, harpists, and guitarists. The ensemble performs fiddle music from traditional and contemporary Scottish repertoire. Instruction is focused on authentic and traditional performance practices and techniques. The ensemble performs throughout the year.
Jazz Ensemble
Director: Mr. JaKobe Henry
The Westminster College Jazz Ensemble is a student ensemble, directed by Mr. JaKobe Henry, that performa a wide array of literature, from traditional swing to modern jazz. The jazz ensemble performs at least three concerts on campus per academic year. When opportunities arise, the group also performs concerts outside of the Westminster College campus.
All students interested in performing in the jazz ensemble are welcomed and encouraged to audition, regardless of their major. Interested students should contact Mr. JaKobe Henry for information on auditions.
Marching & Symphonic Bands
Director: Mr. Aaron D. Himes
Marching Band
The Marching Band is typically the largest single group on campus including between 95 and 100 musicians, color guard and danceline. Directed by Mr. Aaron D. Himes, the Titan Marching Band performs for all home football games and makes three guest appearances throughout the area at various marching band festivals and competitions.
The Titan band performs a mix of artistic, original music as well as jazz and rock styles. All who are considering the bands at Westminster Bands can simply complete the Band Musical Interest Form and return it to Mr. Aaron D. Himes. Upon receipt of the form, an email with more in-depth information on the band program will be mailed electronically.
Symphonic Band
This 70-80 member ensemble includes majors from the entire campus who wish to continue to share their love of music while pursuing other degrees. Directed by Mr. Aaron D. Himes, the ensemble performs an eclectic mix of new and classic symphonic band repertoire on two concerts per year.
It is an open enrollment ensemble for those with instrumental experience. There are no auditions required for inclusion, though one may choose to audition for specific chair placement within sections.
For more information, contact Mr. Aaron D. Himes.
Aaron D. Himes
Sound Clips
"Ignition" by Todd Stalter (© 2011 by ALFRED MUSIC, All Rights Reserved)
Wind Ensemble
Director: Mr. Aaron D. Himes
The Wind Ensemble at Westminster College was created by Mr. Aaron D. Himes in 1997. The design is based closely on the traditional one-on-a-part instrumentation. The Wind Ensemble performs a wide variety of the most challenging established and new works, and has received numerous commendations, most notably three guest appearances at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Conference over the past decade.
The Wind Ensemble is selected through audition and rehearses three times per week for one hour. The Wind Ensemble performs a wide variety of the most challenging established and new works. This ensemble has received numerous commendations, most notably three guest appearances at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Conference over the past decade. The conclusion of these performances was met with immediate standing ovations. The Wind Ensemble has also received favorable mention in both recent National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) reviews. The Wind Ensemble also shared international performance tours with the Westminster College Concert Choir to Spain and Scotland. Along with their concert performances, the Wind Ensemble has accompanied numerous student and faculty soloists and guest artists. The ensemble has also had the privilege of working with notable composer/conductors including Mark Camphouse, Dennis Fisher, and Andrew Boysen, Jr. The Wind Ensemble has premiered numerous works and regularly records for area composers, providing recordings to submit to various publishing houses. The Wind Ensemble prides itself on appreciating the history of wind band repertoire, regularly programming music that has stood the test of time. The ensemble and its director also appreciate the need to be ever expanding as musicians. As a result, there is a constant examination of newer works and composers as the ensemble strives to become more learned regarding contemporary, quality repertoire. The Wind Ensemble also acts as a teaching lab for future music professionals. There is an annual “Young Conductors Concert” in the fall where student conductors compete for a maximum of three opportunities to rehearse and conduct the group in preparation for the fall concert. Students involved in the Instrumental Methods and Instrumental Conducting courses have the ability to see and experience rehearsal planning and strategy in action throughout the course of the year as well.
Participation in this “select” large ensemble may be accomplished by audition every fall in the first week of classes (audition materials posted outside of room 51) and when there are openings due to members student teaching or unable to participate in the second semester (openings posted on Mr. Aaron D. Himes’s door). All students with interest are encouraged to audition.
Aaron D. Himes
Sound Clips
"Instinctive Travels" by Michael Markowski (Published by Manhattan Beach Music)
The following clips are from Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger (Used with Permission)
Horkstow Grange
"Brisk Young Sailor"
The following clip is from Sketches on a Tudor Psalm by Fisher Tull (Used with Permission)
"Sketches on a Tudor Psalm Excerpt"
Concert Choir
Director: Dr. Ryan Keeling
The Westminster Concert Choir is open to all students by choral placement hearing and is the flagship touring ensemble representing the college on national and international stages through their annual concert tour.
Recent tours have included performances in New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Orlando, Louisville, Nashville, Cincinnati, Florida and numerous other regional destinations. The choir has appeared in cathedrals and concert venues throughout Scotland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. In addition to regular on-campus performances, the Concert Choir is actively engaged with regional professional arts organizations and nationally recognized artists such as Mandy Gonzalez.
Chamber Singers
Director: Dr. Ryan Keeling
The Westminster Chamber Singers is an elite vocal ensemble composed primarily of music majors, but open to all students by choral placement hearing. Members of this select ensemble are highly motivated and committed to achieving a professional caliber of choral performance.
The Chamber Singers are routinely featured on and off campus at smaller private events and proudly represent the college on the regional, national and international stages.
Treble Choir
Director: Dr. Ryan Keeling
Westminster's Treble Choir celebrates a long history of excellence in treble singing and is composed of students from a wide range of disciplines and levels of experience. Open to all students by choral placement hearing, this unique choir provides an energetic and supportive community for treble singers to nurture their musical skills through the rehearsal and performance of a widely diverse repertoire.
Symphony Orchestra
Director: Dr. Melinda Crawford Perttu
The Westminster College Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing students with opportunities to stimulate professional and artistic growth through developing the knowledge, skills, techniques, and discipline required of the professional musician.
Directed by Dr. Melinda Crawford Perttu, the orchestra performs standard works for both full symphonic orchestra and string chamber orchestra with a range of repertoire from the Baroque Era through the present day.
Sound Clips
Dvorak: "Polka in Bb" (first one)
Rossini: "Overture to Barber of Seville"
Sibelius: "Valse Trise"