Music Ensembles
Explore your passion for performance by joining a music ensemble at Moraine Valley. Music performance opportunities include two choral groups, jazz combo, jazz ensemble, concert band, flute choir, community orchestra, and percussion ensemble.
Each semester nearly 250 instrumentalists and singers participate in Moraine Valley’s music ensembles. Members include full- and part-time college students, high school students, community members, music educators, and other music professionals.
The Moraine Valley music ensembles present more than twenty on-campus concerts in our performing arts center throughout the year. In addition, our groups have performed at such locations and events as Millennium Park, Trinity Christian College, Illinois Music Education Conference, Illinois Collegiate Conference “Skyway” Jazz Festival, Association for Community College Trustees Conference, Illinois Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion, North and Maple Restaurant, Hackney’s Restaurant, Fitzgerald’s, the Orland Hills “Party in the Park,” the Orland Park Public Library, and VanderCook College of Music.
Ensemble First Rehearsal Dates
Chorale—Aug. 24, 7 p.m., John and Angeline Oremus Theater
Jazz Combo—Aug. 25, 4 p.m., John and Angeline Oremus Theater
Jazz Ensemble—Aug. 25, 7 p.m., John and Angeline Oremus Theater
Chamber Singers—Aug. 26, 4 p.m., John and Angeline Oremus Theater
Flute Choir—Aug. 26, 4 p.m., F-150
Percussion Ensemble—Aug. 26, 4:30 p.m., F-127
Orchestra—Aug. 26, 7 p.m. , John and Angeline Oremus Theater
Concert Band—Aug. 27, 7 p.m., John and Angeline Oremus Theater
Ensembles
Chamber Singers
The Moraine Valley Chamber Singers explores a wide variety of contemporary singing styles. The group meets Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters. Enrollment is open to any Moraine Valley student. The director of the Chamber Singers is Nicholas Thomas, Fine Arts and Humanities Department Chair.
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the Chamber Singers for one academic credit hour. Chamber Singers I-IV course codes are MUS-141, 142, 241, 242. First-time ensemble students should enroll in MUS-141 and then enroll in the next numbered course for each subsequent semester. Instructor’s consent is required. Course is repeatable up to four times for academic credit. There is no noncredit course option available for the Chamber Singers; all members must enroll for academic credit.
Chorale
The Moraine Chorale, a community-based choir with more than 60 members, performs five themed concerts each year including Broadway show tunes, Irish, patriotic, holiday selections and more. The group meets Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. throughout the year. Enrollment is open to anyone with an interest in singing. The director of the Chorale is Nicholas Thomas, Fine Arts and Humanities Department Chair.
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the chorale for one academic credit hour. Chorale I-IV course codes are MUS-145, 146, 245, 246. First-time ensemble students should enroll in MUS-145 and then enroll in the next numbered course for each subsequent semester. Instructor’s consent is required. Course is repeatable up to four times for academic credit. Non-degree-seeking community members should register for MU4-220-200 (instructor’s written consent required). Registration fee is $25 per academic semester.
Concert Band
The Moraine Valley Concert Band is a 65-plus piece symphonic wind and percussion ensemble comprised of college students, advanced high school students and adult community members. The group meets Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. each week throughout the fall and spring semesters. Enrollment is open to wind and percussion instrumentalists with prior experience in high school or university/college concert band. Seating auditions are held during the second full rehearsal for the semester.
Typical music repertoire includes contemporary concert works, classical transcriptions, Broadway show tunes, and patriotic marches. The group performs several concerts each year, both on and off campus. The director of the Concert Band is Douglass Bratt.
Current Openings
We currently have openings in all instrument sections.
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the concert band for one academic credit hour. Concert Band I-IV course codes are MUS-175, 176, 275, 276. First-time ensemble students should enroll in MUS-175 and then enroll in the next numbered course for each subsequent semester. Instructor’s consent is required. Course is repeatable up to four times for academic credit. Non-degree-seeking community members should register for MU4-310-200 (instructor’s written consent required). Registration fee is $25 per academic semester.
College-Owned Instruments Available
Concert band members are required to own their own instruments; however, the college does have available several larger and less commonly owned instruments for use by students participating in the ensemble. In all cases students are required to purchase and provide their own reeds and/or mouthpieces.
1 Piccolo (Yamaha)
1 English Horn (Fox 510)
2 Bass Clarinets (Yamaha)
1 Bassoon (Fox III)
1 Soprano Saxophone (Yamaha)
1 Alto Saxophone (Yamaha)
1 Tenor Saxophone (Conn)
2 Baritone Saxophones (Selmer Paris II and Buescher)
2 French Horns (Conn 8D)
2 Euphoniums (Yamaha)
3 BBb Tubas (St. Petersburg and B&S)
Various concert percussion, Latin percussion, drum sets and other percussion instruments
Flute Choir
The Moraine Valley Flute Choir is a chamber ensemble that explores flute music from a wide range of eras and styles. Flutists will participate in at least one performance each semester. Enrollment is open to flutists with prior experience in high school or university/college level flute repertoire. The group rehearses on Wednesdays from 4 – 6 p.m. in Building F, Room F150 throughout the fall and spring semesters. For more information, please contact the director, Dr. Kyle Brown.
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the flute choir for one academic credit hour. Flute Choir I-IV course codes are MUS-149, MUS-159, MUS-249, and MUS-259. First-time ensemble students should enroll in MUS-149 and then enroll in the next numbered course for each subsequent semester. Course is repeatable up to four times for academic credit. Non-degree-seeking community members should register for MU4-161-200. Registration fee is $25 per academic semester.
Jazz Combo
The Moraine Valley Jazz Combos are comprised of college students and community members dedicated to the exploration of small-group jazz improvisation and interaction. Jazz Combo I meets each Tuesday afternoon from 4-6 p.m and Jazz Combo II meets each Thursday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. Enrollment is open to a flexible instrument format, including, but not limited to, winds, strings, percussion, keyboard/piano, guitar, bass, and more. Interested musicians should be strong music readers. Prior experience playing jazz is very helpful. Study and performance includes selections by significant jazz artists, such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker as well as important jazz song forms such as 12-bar blues and 32-bar, A-A-B-A rhythm changes. The director for the Jazz Combo is Mai Sugimoto.
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the jazz combo for one academic credit hour. Jazz Combo I course codes are Instrumental Chamber Ensemble I-IV, MUS-161-170, 162-170, 261-170, 262-170. Jazz Combo II course codes are Instrumental Chamber Ensemble I-IV, MUS-161-171, 162-171, 261-171, 262-171. Non-degree-seeking community members should register for MU4-311-170 (instructor’s written consent required). Registration fee is $25 per academic semester.
Jazz Ensemble
The Moraine Valley Jazz Ensemble is an 18-member jazz big band comprised of adult community members, college students, and advanced high school students. This select group of musicians meets Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Fine and Performing Arts Center, Room F127. Interested persons should be proficient music readers who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass or drumset. Strong music improvisers are encouraged to join. Prior experience performing in a high school or collegiate jazz ensemble also is very helpful. Auditions for membership and part placement are normally held following the first two rehearsals of the semester. The director of the Jazz Ensemble is Douglass Bratt.
Performances
Typical music repertoire includes songs made popular by such composers as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, and Woody Herman. The band also plays more contemporary works for big band by such writers as Bill Holman, Maria Schneider, Bob Minzter, Alan Baylock, Tom Garling, Kris Berg, and others.
Each fall the Jazz Ensemble represents Moraine Valley Community College in the Skyway Jazz Festival, an annual meeting of eight Chicago area member college jazz bands. During the festival each band performs for a panel of judges who are distinguished members of the Chicago jazz community. The Jazz Ensemble performs several concerts both on and off-campus each semester and has opened for such professional groups as the Count Basie Orchestra, The Rob Parton Orchestra and the Brass Tracks Jazz Orchestra.
Guest artists who have performed with the ensemble include:
Orbert Davis, trumpet
Joey Sellers, trombone
Mark Colby, saxophone
Tom Garling, trombone
Joel Spencer, drumset
Art Davis, trumpet
Amber Dawn, vocalist
Meredith McGuire, vocalist
Larry Gray, bass
Doug Stone, saxophone
Mark O’Connor, saxophone
Kevin Fort, piano and trombone
Carl Coan, saxophone & EWI
John Wojciechowski, saxophone
Tito Carrillo, trumpet
Saalik Zyiad, vocalist
Mona Roy, vocalist
Brad Stirtz, vibraphone
Tim Coffman, trombone
Mark Sonksen, bass
Gerald Bailey, trumpet
James Davis, trumpet
Rich Moore, saxophone
John Moulder, guitar
Victor Garcia, trumpet
Matt Lewis, trumpet/vocalist
Bob Rummage, drumset
Doug Scharf, trumpet
Jim Pugh, trombone
David Hoffman, trumpet
Tom Hipskind, drumset
Sarah Marie Young, vocalist
Luke Malewicz, trombone
Bob Lark, trumpet
David Jennings, drumset
Chad McCullough, trumpet
Kimberly Gordon, vocalist
Reginald “Reggie” Thomas, piano
Liam Teague, steel pan
Myles Hayes, vocalist
Amanda Wolff, vocalist
Christopher Madsen, tenor saxophone
Gina DeGregorio, vocalist
Russ Phillips, trombone
Luke Malewicz, trombone
Mai Sugimoto, alto saxophone
Patrick Williams, bass
Vince Clark, vocalist
Devon Sandridge, vocalist
Jeff Stitely, drum set
Dave Katz, trumpet
Meghan Stagl, pianist/vocalist
Janelle Finton, trumpet/composer
Jaden Teague-Núñez, steel pan
Robin Watson, vocalist
Current Openings
Currently, the jazz ensemble has openings in all sections. Instrumentalists with experience improvising over written chord changes are strongly encouraged to join. All new members must audition for placement in the ensemble.
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the jazz ensemble for one academic credit hour. Jazz Ensemble I-IV course codes are MUS-151, 152, 251, 252. First-time ensemble students should enroll in MUS-151 and then enroll in the next numbered course for each subsequent semester. Instructor’s consent is required. Course is repeatable up to four times for academic credit. Non-degree-seeking community members should register for MU4-308-200 (instructor’s written consent required). Registration fee is $25 per academic semester.
College-Owned Instruments Available
All jazz ensemble members are required to own their own instruments; however, the college does have available several larger and less commonly owned instruments for use by students participating in the ensemble. In all cases students are required to purchase and provide their own reeds and/or mouthpieces.
1 Soprano Saxophone (Yamaha)
1 Alto Saxophone (Yamaha)
1 Tenor Saxophone (Conn)
2 Baritone Saxophones (Selmer Paris II and Buescher)
1 Yamaha 6-ft, grand piano
1 Kay acoustic bass with pickups
1 Fender Jazz electric bass
1 5-piece Ludwig drum set with Zildjian cymbals
Various bass and guitar amplifiers
Various Latin percussion instruments
Orchestra
The Moraine Valley Community Orchestra is an ensemble comprised of college students, advanced high school students and adult community members. The group meets Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. each week throughout the fall and spring semesters. Enrollment is open to strings, wind and percussion instrumentalists with prior experience in high school or university/college concert band. Seating auditions normally are held following the first two rehearsals for the semester. Typical music repertoire includes classical compositions, contemporary concert works and lighter selections. The group performs one or more concerts each semester. The director of the Moraine Valley Community Orchestra is Maryann Flock.
Current Openings
We currently have openings in all instrument sections, however, we have a particular need for string players.
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the orchestra for one academic credit hour. College-Community Orchestra I-IV course codes are MUS-171, 172, 173, 174. First-time ensemble students should enroll in MUS-171 and then enroll in the next numbered course for each subsequent semester. Instructor’s consent is required. Course is repeatable up to four times for academic credit. Non-degree-seeking community members should register for MU4-307-200 (instructor’s written consent required). Registration fee is $25 per academic semester.
Percussion Ensemble
This group of percussionists is comprised of college students, adult community members, and advanced high school students. Each semester, the group performs several concerts both on and off campus. Members need not have a percussion-specific background in order to participate, but should possess intermediate to advanced music reading skills. The director of the Percussion Ensemble is Douglass Bratt.
The music styles explored in this ensemble include: ragtime, classical, popular, Caribbean/Latin, chamber, and jazz as transcribed for this unique instrumentation. Composers’ works performed include: Roland Barrett, John Beck, Thomas Brown, Nathan Daughtery, Lalo Davila, Christopher Deane, Leander Kaiser, Béla Fleck, Ed Freytag, Mark Ford, Mario Gaetano, Lynn Glassock, Josh Gottry, John R. Hearnes, Glenn Kotche, Kevin Lepper, Dave Mancini, Dan Moore, Jeff Moore, Taras Nahirniak, Eugene Novotney, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Scott Ward and many more.
The percussion ensemble has performed at the 2018 Chicago Arts in the Dark Parade, the Illinois Music Education Convention (IMEC), the Illinois PAS Day of Percussion, Orland Park Public Library, VanderCook College of Music, Lincoln-Way Central High School, as well as Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Special guest artists have included:
Dr. Dan Moore (University of Iowa), Renzo Spiteri (Malta), Kassandra Kocoshis (Session Percussionist, Meghan Trainor, Kayne West), Felipe Fraga (Brazilian percussionist), Doug Perkins (University of Michigan, Meehan/Perkins Duo), Ben Wahlund (Northern Illinois University), Brad Stirtz (Vibraphonist) and Robert Chappell (Professor Emeritus, Northern Illinois University), Adam Cowger (Joliet Junior College), James Yakas (VanderCook College of Music), Nathan Daughtrey (Composer/Performer), Angela Kepley (Freelance Performer/Educator), Raychel Taylor (Arcomusical, Girls March), Juan Pastor (Chinchano, North Central College), Reed Flygt (Lane Tech High School, Second City Samba), Michael Kozakis (DePaul University/Carthage College), and Dr. Gregory Beyer (Northern Illinois University)
Credit/Noncredit Options
Degree-seeking and transfer students may enroll in the percussion ensemble for one academic credit hour. Percussion Ensemble I-IV course codes are MUS-109, 110, 209, 210. First-time ensemble students should enroll in MUS-109 and then enroll in the next numbered course for each subsequent semester. Course is repeatable up to four times for academic credit. Audition for new members is required. Non-degree-seeking community members should register for the Percussion Ensemble noncredit course MU4-309-170. Please note that the director’s permission is required prior to enrolling. Registration fee is $25 per academic semester.
Selected Moraine Valley Percussion Equipment Inventory
Set of 5 Ludwig Grand Symphonic Timpani
Marimba One “Izzy” 5.0 Octave Rosewood Marimba
Marimba One 5.0 Octave Rosewood Marimba
Yamaha 5.0 Octave Rosewood Marimba
Musser 4.3 Octave Rosewood Marimba
Musser 3.0 M55 Vibraphone
Yamaha 3.0 Gold Tour Vibraphone
Musser M50 Rosewood Xylophone
Musser M51 Xylophone
MalletKAT 7 KS MIDI Mallet Keyboard
Ludwig 5-piece Maple Drum set
Mapex 5-piece Meridian Maple Drum set
Black Swamp Sound Art Maple Concert Snare
Various Pearl Symphonic and Philharmonic Snares
8-Piece Yamaha Concert Tom Set
Yamaha/Deagan Orchestra Chimes
Matador Congas (set of 3), Timbales and Bongos
Ron Vaughn Log Drums
Set of LP Brazilian Samba Drums
Large selection of accessory percussion, cymbals and gongs
Audition Information