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Begin Your Encore With Us.

From your first rehearsal to your biggest performance yet, every musician has a place to play. At Capital’s Conservatory of Music, ensembles are a core part of the experience, not an extra. With dozens of groups across classical, jazz, vocal, contemporary, and world music, you’ll perform on campus and on stages throughout Columbus, the region, and beyond. No matter your style or focus, there’s an ensemble ready to help you grow, perform, and be heard.

Membership in these ensembles is open to all Capital students (some ensembles require an audition). Participation in an ensemble for three semesters satisfies the university’s General Education Fine Arts requirement.

Capital University Choirs

Chapel members performing

Since 1929, the Capital University Chapel Choir has upheld the rich Lutheran heritage of fine choral singing. This select mixed ensemble is the Conservatory's most advanced choir and is recognized as one of the outstanding elite college choral ensembles in the nation. The choir’s long-standing touring tradition has sent them around the world, leveraging the transformative power of music and connecting people from diverse cultures. Recent national and international travel has included concerts in South Africa, Oman, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Washington D.C., Chicago, Kansas City, and New York City. The Chapel Choir was awarded the American Prize, Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music. Recent concert highlights include the world premiere performance of A Silence Haunts Me by Jake Runestad at the ACDA National Conference in Kansas, and a concert on the Carnegie Hall stage.

For more information, please contact Dr. Adam Potter, Director of Choral Activities.

Capital University Bands

members holding drum sticks

The Capital University Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Dr. Ishbah Cox, is the premier wind band in the Conservatory of Music. The Symphonic Winds perform programs that draw from the cornerstones of the wind literature, the finest contemporary works, and the rich and varied repertoire composed for chamber winds. Recent accolades include multiple awards in the College/University Division of The American Prize in Band Performance, earning 3rd Place and 2nd Place award. The Symphonic Winds was awarded The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music in the College/University Ensemble Division.

Outside of their campus concerts, the ensemble has toured throughout the United States and abroad and has earned frequent invitations to perform at professional conferences. Appearances have included the multiple performances at College Band Directors National Association North Central Division Conferences, the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference, and a weeklong tour of Taiwan.

For more information, please contact Dr. Ishbah Cox, Director of Wind Ensembles.

Capital Jazz Ensembles

Band members performing

The 18-piece, award-winning Capital University Big Band is an experience designed for you to hone your skills in big band playing, style, improvisation and more while expanding your understanding of the large ensemble tradition. Performing a wide range of repertoire from such artists as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Thad Jones along with contemporary music written to push the boundaries of the ensemble, the Big Band represents some of the finest musicians at the university.

 

In addition to the Big Band, the jazz area is also home to these ensembles:

  • Lab Band
  • Birdland Ensemble
  • Vanguard Ensemble
  • Jazz Percussion Ensemble
  • Jazz Guitar Ensemble
  • MIDI Band
  • Rock Ensemble (C.U.R.E.)

For more information, please contact Professor William Wolfe, Area Head of Jazz Studies.

Capital University Orchestras

Orchestra instrument

Dr. Jim Bates directs the Capital/Otterbein Orchestra, which includes Capital and Otterbein students, forming both a string orchestra and a symphony orchestra. The groups also frequently features guest soloists of national prominence.

For more information, please contact Dr. Jim Bates, Director of Capital Orchestras.

 

Capital University Chamber Ensembles

The Conservatory is also home to numerous small, like instrument and mixed instrument chamber ensembles. For more information on an ensemble below, please contact the professor as listed below.