The Blues/Rock Ensemble is an intermediate/advanced level performance group consisting of two guitars, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, bass, and drum set.

Repertoire includes instrumental jazz-rock, blues-rock, and funk-rock styles by groups like Jeff Beck, The Meters, and Lettuce.

Auditions

Auditions are required. Audition requirements will be provided to all registered students during the first week of the semester. Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Register for: MUSC 1913 – Blues/Rock Ensemble
Thursdays 4:30pm-5:35pm
354 Ryder Hall Contact: Prof. Junauro Landgrebe, Director, [email protected]

Offers chamber music ensembles at intermediate and advanced levels encompassing the following areas: strings, woodwinds, piano, voice, brass, guitar, and mixed ensembles. Explores the great repertoire in detail, combining the discipline of the highest standard of playing with an understanding of the music. Offers students an opportunity to learn how to play their best, getting past the limitations of purely technical considerations. Participation by audition only.

Auditions

For more information or to schedule an audition, please contact Prof. Evan Bennett at [email protected].

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1915 – Chamber Ensemble
Meeting times and location TBD, depending on student and faculty schedules.

The Northeastern University Choral Society fosters aesthetic and educational experi-ences through the rehearsal and performance of choral music, and promotes harmo-nious social interaction among members of the Northeastern community. Repertoire focuses on classic choral works from the 16th to the 21st century. Members of the Choral Society come from all backgrounds and majors, and any interested member of the NU community (student, faculty, staff) is eligible to join.

Chorus is an extracurricular activity for many but can also be taken as a free 1-credit elective by registering for MUSC1904. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:30 pm in the Fenway Center. Chamber Singers is a smaller ensemble, rehearsing Tuesday 8:30pm – 9:30pm. Singers in Chamber Singers are required to also sing in Chorus.

Auditions

For more information or to schedule an audition, please contact Dr. Katherine Chan, Director of Choral Activities, [email protected].

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1904 – Chorus
Tuesdays 6:00pm-8:30pm (Chamber Singers 8:30pm-9:30pm)

The Concert Band performs music of all levels and genres, including composers old and young, living and non-living. Repertoire includes movie themes, jazz inspired music, and the great classic works in the wind band repertoire. Recent guest artists have included Boston Symphony Orchestra members Rachel Childers (horn), Michael Martin (trumpet), Jason Snider (French horn), Stephen Lange (trombone), Mike Roylance (tuba), and Cynthia Meyers (piccolo) as well as composers Frank Ticheli and John Mackey.

The ensemble rehearses and performs during both the fall and spring semesters, usually performing one concert each term.

Participants are expected to be able to read music, play one of the standard concert band woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments, and have some level of prior experience in such an ensemble. All members who meet these prerequisites are eligible to participate in the Concert Band, and a brief audition will be held at the start of the fall semester for seating purposes. There will be an opportunity during the first or second week of the spring semester for new students to be placed and for returning students who wish to change their part.

Concert Band is a free one-credit elective. Register for MUSC 1905 before the semester’s add/drop date, once auditions have been completed and you know for sure that you are participating in the ensemble. The course may be repeated for credit.

The members of the Concert Band come from all backgrounds and majors, and any interested member of the NU community is eligible to join, including faculty, staff, and alumni!

Auditions

All students interested in both Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will rehearse together in the Fenway Center from 6-8:30pm on the first Thursday of the fall semester. Auditions will be the following week by appointment only. Sign up times and audition location will be communicated following the first Thursday rehearsal. There will be a set of required excerpts for all students, selected from the repertoire read during the first joint rehearsal. Students interested in joining the Concert Band will be asked to audition for seating placement, using the selected musical excerpts. Students who wish to audition for the Wind Ensemble are encouraged to prepare a very short (one minute maximum) excerpt that shows both their technical and lyrical playing, in addition to playing the preselected audition music. You may choose from your favorite concerto, sonata, etude, or band/orchestral repertoire excerpt. If desired, the one-minute of music can be pulled from two different pieces—one for lyrical qualities and the other for technical elements.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1905 – Concert Band
Mondays 6:00pm-8:25pm
The Fenway Center

Contact Prof. Allison Betsold, Artist in Residence, Director of Concert Band and Pep Band, [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where are rehearsals?

Concert Band meets every Monday evening from 6-8:25pm during the fall and spring semesters. Wind Ensemble meets every Thursday evening from 6-8:30pm during the fall and spring semesters. Both ensembles rehearse in the Fenway Center located at 77 St. Stephen Street.

Where can I practice?

Practice rooms are located on the third floor of Ryder Hall. Students may obtain keycard access to the practice rooms upon enrollment in an ensemble course.

Do I need to have my own instrument?

Winds and Brass – The music department has a limited stock of some of the more rare/large instruments such as tuba, horn, oboe, bassoon, baritone saxophone, and bass clarinet. It is highly recommended that students who possess their own instruments bring them to campus. Storage space is available for students who need it.

Percussion – The music department provides the full range of percussion instruments from timpani to a 5-octave marimba to an array of triangles. While we have a small supply of sticks and mallets for students to use, we highly recommended that students bring their own.

Can I perform in more than one ensemble?

Absolutely! Please engage yourself in as many of our ensembles as you desire. Please note that each ensemble has its own audition requirement, some more intricate than others. If you have questions about specific NU ensembles, always feel free to reach out to its director.

Are there any scholarship opportunities?

Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen, usually before the May deposit deadline. For information on our scholarship, please see more information below.

The Fusion Ensemble is an advanced-level performance group consisting of horns (saxophones and brass) and a rhythm section (guitar, keyboard, bass, and drum set).

Repertoire includes instrumental jazz-rock styles by groups like Snarky Puppy, John Scofield, Weather Report, The Brecker Brothers, Chick Corea, and Mike Stern.

Auditions

Auditions are required. Audition requirements will be provided to all registered students during the first class meeting.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1919 – Fusion Ensemble
Tuesdays 6:40pm – 8:10pm
354 Ryder Hall
Contact: Prof. Junauro Landgrebe, Director, [email protected].

The Jazz Choir and Combo is an intermediate to advanced ensemble featuring both singers and instrumentalists. Vocalists harmonize using choral charts and are encouraged to sing solos using their own improvisation. Instrumentalists make up the

band that accompanies the choir. Typically, the combo consists of piano, guitar, bass, and drums; however, the group welcomes all instruments. Members of the combo are also given plenty of opportunities to solo.

Our repertoire features all styles of jazz as well as some blues and soul. We have performed the music of The Manhattan Transfer, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Laufey, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Michel Legrand, Vince Guaraldi, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Michael Bublé, and much more.

Auditions

Auditions are held the first class meeting or students are welcome to send an audio or video recording to the professor in advance of the semester. For vocalists, please prepare a song to sing as a soloist, demonstrating your vocal ability. Also, include an example of a line from a jazz/pop choral chart. Instrumentalists, please be prepared to play a jazz standard showing the ability to play the melody and demonstrate soloing ability on the instrument.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1917 – Jazz Choir and Combo
Mondays 5:50pm-7:05pm
354 Ryder Hall Contact: Prof. Tisha Stadnicki, Director, [email protected].

The orchestra’s instrumentation is made up of one to four singers, five saxophones, four to five trombones, five to six trumpets, a rhythm section consisting of piano, bass, guitar, drum set and additional Afro-Caribbean percussion instruments such as congas, tim-bales, bongos and an assortment of bells.

The repertoire studied and performed by the orchestra is a rich blend of music for big band combining the musical styles of North American, Afro-Cuban, and South American Jazz. The orchestra has a time-honored tradition of presenting to the public compelling instrumental and vocal music arrangements of that inspire, educate, enrich, entertain, and transform audiences of all ages. The ensemble features the works of past master composers and arrangers, as well as incorporating the works of the best contemporary writers active in the field of jazz and Latin Jazz.

Composers whose works the band has performed include Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Arm-strong, Count Basie, Neal Hefti, Frank Foster, Sammy Nestico, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Quincy Jones, Thad Jones, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Rob Lussier, Bob Brookmeyer, Manny Albam, Charles Mingus, and Maria Schneider.

Latin jazz composers whose works the band has performed include Wayne Wallace, Humberto Ramirez, Mario Bauza, Arturo Sandoval, Chico O’Farrell, Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie, Hilario Duran, and Jeremy Fletcher.

The NU Jazz Ensemble welcomes vocalists, and always features classic arrangements as well as innovative treatment of music from the Great American Song Book. Some composers that we perform are George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Eubie Blake, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

Auditions

Auditions for the Jazz Ensemble will be done via video or mp3. There will be no live auditions. YouTube links, or videos or mp3s on a google drive should be sent directly to Prof. Joel Larue Smith at [email protected].

DEADLINE: September 12, 2025, 11:59pm

What to record:

• Please pick a jazz standard to perform (the student’s choice).
• Use a backing track for your chosen standard from the app, IReal Pro or YouTube .
• Play the melody.
• Play one or two choruses of improvisation (if possible)
• Play the melody.
• Drummers/percussionists should mute the drum track and play a tune, and include a solo.

Note: please send the video or mp3, whether you can improvise or not.

The first Jazz Ensemble class meeting will be Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30pm in 354 Ryder Hall.

If you need to rent an instrument, please contact Virtuosity at https://www.virtuosityboston.com.

To obtain an instrument locker please contact: Austin Comerford, Administrative Officer, Music Department, [email protected].

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1911 – Jazz Ensemble
Wednesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm
354 Ryder Hall

Contact: Prof. Joel LaRue Smith, Director, [email protected].

The Northeastern University Symphony Orchestra (NUSO) consists of two ensembles—a Symphonic Orchestra and a Chamber Orchestra. The Symphonic Orchestra is a large group that plays a wide range of repertoire, from classic symphonies, overtures, and concerti to more contemporary works, student compositions, and pops music. The Chamber Orchestra is a more select ensemble that approaches repertoire to match the greater level of experience of its players. The repertoire has a similar variety. To participate in the Chamber Orchestra a musician must also play in the Symphonic Orchestra.

Orchestra is an extracurricular activity but can also be taken as a free 1-credit elective by registering for MUSC 1906. This course may be repeated for credit.

Audition information can be found here.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Register for: MUSC 1906 – Orchestra (Section 1: Symphonic Orchestra, Section 2: Chamber Orchestra)
Wednesdays Symphonic Orchestra 6:00pm-8:25pm; Chamber Orchestra 6:35-9:00pm at The Fenway Center.

Contact: Prof. Allen Feinstein, Director of the Symphonic Orchestra, [email protected]; Prof. Allison Betsold, Director of the Chamber Orchestra, [email protected].

The NU Pep Band provides entertainment and spirit at sporting events, pep rallies, and special events for Northeastern University Athletics, and the University as a whole. The band plays at all home Women’s and Men’s Hockey, Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and Women’s Volleyball games.

The Pep Band also participates in tournaments such as the Women’s and Men’s Basketball CAA division finals, Women’s and Men’s Hockey East Finals, and the long-standing Beanpot tournament. The Men’s Beanpot is played annually at the TD Garden (Home of the Boston Bruins & Boston Celtics), and the Women’s tournament rotates amongst the four schools involved in both Beanpots: Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, and of course, Northeastern.

The Pep Band is supported by the Music Department, Athletics Department, Student Activities and the SGA.

For more information on the Northeastern Pep Band, please contact Allison Betsold ([email protected]). We hope to see you soon!

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1920 – Pep Band
Mondays 8:35pm-10:00pm at The Fenway Center

This ensemble is designed to give beginner, intermediate, and advanced students who are interested in singing and/or playing music, the opportunity to rehearse and perform in an ensemble. The class will practice a variety of popular music chosen by the instructor as well as selections suggested by the students. The option to bring in original student compositions for the class to play is also greatly encouraged. There is a final concert every semester. The ensemble is open to all without audition.

Offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1914 – Pop Music Performance
Mondays 4:35pm-5:40pm
354 Ryder Hall Contact: Prof. Tisha Stadnicki, Director, [email protected].

The Rock Ensemble is an intermediate/advanced level performance group with four vocalists, and a rhythm section of two guitars, keyboard, bass, and drum set.

Repertoire includes a wide variety of rock and popular styles by groups like Boston, Muse, Rush, The Police, and many others.

Auditions

Audition requirements will be provided to all registered students during the first class meeting. Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Register for: MUSC 1912 – Rock Ensemble
Tuesdays 5:10 – 6:35pm
354 Ryder Hall
Contact: Prof. Junauro Landgrebe, Director, [email protected].

In addition to playing the great works in the wind repertoire, the Wind Ensemble has accompanied silent movies and live dance performances with original scores by student composers, and collaborated with guest soloists and actors. Guests have included composers John Mackey and Frank Ticheli, and Boston Symphony Orchestra members Rachel Childers (horn), Michael Martin (trumpet), Jason Snider (French horn), Stephen Lange (trombone), Mike Roylance (tuba), and Cynthia Meyers (piccolo).

The Wind Ensemble rehearses and performs during the Fall and Spring semesters, usually playing two concerts each term. Each year the group participates in a collaborative festival with the wind ensembles from Harvard University, Boston College, and Boston University.

The members of the Wind Ensemble come from all backgrounds and majors, and any interested member of the NU community is eligible to join. On the first Thursday of the fall semester there will be a rehearsal with all students interested in either (or both!) the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. We will read through select repertoire, including the audition music. Auditions are held during the first and second weeks of school. Sign-ups, location, and repertoire will be distributed at the first meeting. Wind Ensemble is a free one-credit elective, please register for MUSC 1907 once you have successfully auditioned for the ensemble. The course may be repeated for credit.

Audition Requirements

All students interested in both Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will rehearse together in the Fenway Center from 6-8:30pm on the first Thursday of the fall semester. Auditions will be the following week by appointment only. Sign up times and audition location will be communicated following the first Thursday rehearsal. There will be a set of required excerpts for all students, selected from the repertoire read during the first joint rehearsal. Students interested in joining the Concert Band will be asked to audition for seating placement, using the selected musical excerpt. Students who wish to audition for the Wind Ensemble are encouraged to prepare a very short (one minute maximum) excerpt that shows both their technical and lyrical playing, in addition to playing the preselected audition music. You may choose from your favorite concerto, sonata, etude, or band/orchestral repertoire excerpt. If desired, the one-minute of music can be pulled from two different pieces—one for lyrical qualities and the other for technical elements.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1907 – Wind Ensemble
Thursdays 6:00pm – 8:30pm
The Fenway Center
Contact: Prof. Allen Feinstein, Director, [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where are rehearsals?

Practice rooms are located on the third floor of Ryder Hall. Students may obtain keycard access to the practice rooms upon enrollment in an ensemble the course.

Do I need to have my own instrument?

• Winds and Brass – The music department has a limited stock of some of the more rare/large instruments such as tuba, horn, oboe, bassoon, baritone saxophone, and bass clarinet. It is highly recommend that students who possess their own instruments bring them to campus. Storage space is available for students who need it.
• Percussion – The music department provides the full range of percussion instruments from timpani to a 5-octave marimba to an array of triangles. While we have a small supply of sticks and mallets for students to use, we highly recommend that students bring their own.

Can I perform in more than one ensemble?

Absolutely! Please engage yourself in as many of our ensembles as you desire. Please note that each ensemble has its own audition requirement, some more intricate than others. If you have questions about specific NU ensembles, always feel free to reach out to its director.

Are there any scholarship opportunities?

Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen, usually before the May deposit deadline. For information on our scholarship, see below.

This ensemble explores different musical traditions by listening, analyzing, and playing a diverse selection of compositions from parts of the world outside the United States. Past performances have included music from Bulgaria, China, Morocco, Turkey, Israel, and Brazil.

During each encounter, students will listen to a diverse repertoire of world music, learn-ing about the musical forms, modes, rhythms, and typical instruments of each tradition. After extracting these elements the ensemble will play its arrangements of these genres. The ensemble is open to all without audition.

Offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Register for: MUSC 1918 – World Music Ensemble
Mondays 7:15pm – 8:15pm
The Fenway Center

Contact: Prof. Fernando Huergo, Director, [email protected].

If you are competitive for a scholarship, we ask that you prepare an audition with a YouTube or Vimeo link.  To apply, complete the form located and submit your video links to the form as well.  (We also may ask you to do a second round via Zoom.) Students should prepare two excerpts in contrasting styles – one technical and one lyrical. Each excerpt should be no longer than two minutes in length. You do not need to play scales.  For more specific information, please refer to the information listed in the tabs below.

START WITH:

Your name
The titles of the pieces you will perform for this audition

THE VIDEO:

1. Your video should be a live unedited performance, using the highest quality audio and video recording possible.

• Avoid using footage from school/community productions
• Consider using a tripod, if you have access to one, for steady footage.

2. The video must show the student physically playing the instrument

3. Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Pep Band applicants: please CHECK the time length and keep each video (1 lyrical and 1 technical) to the 2 minute time limit. You may use a 2 minute excerpt from a longer piece; each excerpt should be a continuous, unparcelled 2 minute portion.

4. Videos should be sent electronically via a YouTube or Vimeo link.

• By default, online video submissions are public. You may wish to restrict public access by making your video “UNLISTED”. Do not set the video to “private” as we will not be able to access it.
• Before submitting your video recording, test it out first by previewing the URL in a different browser. Make sure you are not logged into the video sharing site platform while accessing the link.

5. Submit your video links to the NU Ensemble Scholarship Application form.

Your portfolio should include:

• concerts you’ve promoted
• musical groups you’ve managed
• web designs
• music composed for films and/or advertising
• music published, etc.

Samples of you performing on your primary instrument/voice are not required but will be considered if included.

Your portfolio should contain:

• audio samples of your compositions
• scores and sketches
• performance accolades, etc.

Samples of you performing on your primary instrument/voice are not required but will be considered if included.

Students pursuing a BA in music may opt to record a 5-minute video showcasing their performance ability.

The video should include a portion of slow and lyrical music as well as faster more technical music. The video must show the student physically playing the instrument. Accompaniment is not required.

Audio files will not be considered when reviewing applications. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube or a similar application.

Alternatively, BA students may choose to submit a written research paper, a sample of journalistic writing, and other supplementary documents.

Students interested in performing with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, or Pep Band should record a 4 minute video showcasing their performance ability.

• The video should include 2 minutes of slow and lyrical music as well as 2 minutes of faster more technical music.
• The video must show the student physically playing the instrument
• Accompaniment is not required.

Audio files will not be considered when reviewing applicants.

Students holding a Choral Society scholarship are required to sing in both NU Chorus and Chamber Singers. To audition for a choral scholarship, students must first submit a pre-screening audition video. The video must show the student singing live. Accompaniment is not required. Audio files will not be considered.

Pre-screen video requirements:

• Perform 2 songs choices, contrasting in style
• One piece must be in a language other than English.
• One piece should be lyrical. Suggestion of repertoire: Art Song, Folk Song.

Selected students will then be shortlisted for a live (zoom) audition with Professor Katherine Chan. In this zoom audition, you will need to:

• Perform a major scale, one octave ascending and descending, on a vowel of your choice, according to your voice part.
  • Soprano: G major or Ab major (G4 to G5 range)
  • Alto: Eb Major or F major (Eb4 to Eb5 range)
  • Tenor: F major or G major (in F3 to F4 range)
  • Bass:  F major or G major (F2 – F3 range)   [Baritones can choose their starting pitch]
  • Perform one of the pieces from your pre-screen video (your choice)
  • Sing vocalise (range check)
  • Sight-sing (to be given on the spot)

The video should include the following: Three song choices, contrasting in style (one must be in a language other than English). One piece should be lyrical. Suggestion of repertoire: Art Song, Folk Song.

Selected students will then be shortlisted for a live audition on NU Campus prior to the semester commencing. Live auditions will be held the week before the semester starts and into the first week of the semester. For the live audition, students will be required to:

• Perform a major scale, one octave ascending and descending, on a vowel of your choice, according to your voice part.
  • Soprano: G major or Ab major (G4 to G5 range)
  • Alto: Eb Major or F major (Eb4 to Eb5 range)
  • Tenor: F major or G major (in F3 to F4 range)
  • Bass:  F major or G major (F2 – F3 range)   [Baritones can choose their starting pitch]
• Perform one of the pieces from your pre-screen video (your choice)
• Sing through vocal exercises to check range
• Sight-sing (to be given on the spot)