FMU Music Ensembles
There are many opportunities to participate in music at Francis Marion University. This is a rapidly expanding program that is generously supported by scholarship money for qualified students regardless of choice of major. These programs give you a chance to make music, become involved with other students in campus life, and help pay for your education.
We have a number of instrumental performance ensembles. These ensembles perform in a wide variety of musical styles, entertain at campus and community events, and have plans to tour. Participants in all ensembles earn academic credit.
Chorus (FMU Concert Choir)
Open to all university students, the University Chorus has an average enrollment of between 35 and 45 students. This group has sung in numerous area churches and has also performed with the Florence Symphony Orchestra. They have performed such major choral works as the “Polovetzian Dance and Chorus” of Alexander Borodin, the “Schicksalslied” of Johannes Brahms, and the Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Their concerts have also included selections accompanied by the Francis Marion String Ensemble.
Voice Collective
Francis Marion’s Voice Collective is a small, audition-only ensemble. Students focus their efforts on a cappella pop, rock and jazz literature. The group performs throughout the region for schools and service organizations. They have performed at local and regional high schools as well as Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. They’ve performed on cruises to the Bahamas, and they’ve traveled to Baltimore, Washington, S.C., and even Vienna, Austria, where they performed in front of thousands of spectators.
Concert Band
The Francis Marion University Concert Band performs the very best of concert band and wind ensemble literature, and they play wind band literature with the difficulty level determined by the capabilities of the players. It is a rewarding experience; with strong representation from the many fine players in our area, we are able to make great music.
There is an open invitation to local adult musicians to participate, so we would like to encourage you and other instrumentalists you know to join the FMU Concert Band. There is no fee unless you choose to enroll for college music major/minor/elective credit! For each concert, we ask community participants to commit to attending the dress rehearsal as well as four of the final six rehearsals before the dress rehearsal.
Rehearsals are held in the new Performing Arts Center’s concert hall on Tuesday nights from 7:00 – 9:30. If you are interested in participating, email Dr. Terry Roberts at TRoberts@fmarion.edu, and include your name, contact information, and the instrument(s) you play.
We look forward to your participation!
String Ensemble
Our String Ensemble is for students interested in learning chamber music. String music of traditional and modern composers is rehearsed and performed. Material is chosen from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and twentieth century music.
Although students must audition to participate in the Francis Marion String Ensemble, they do not have to be enrolled in the String Ensemble course to participate.
Guitar Ensemble
The Francis Marion University Guitar Ensemble consists of the practice of music for guitar in a variety of groups, from duets, trios, and quartets, to larger ensembles of guitars. The repertoire consists mainly of works written for any combination in the number of guitars included.
Although students must audition to participate in the Francis Marion Guitar Ensemble, they do not have to be enrolled in the Guitar Ensemble course to participate.
Jazz Combo
The Francis Marion University Jazz Combo is devoted to the development of individual improvisation skills through the preparation and performance of literature for small jazz groups. The music played represents a variety of jazz styles and periods.
Although students must audition to participate in the Francis Marion Jazz Combo, they do not have to be enrolled in the Chamber Jazz Ensemble course to participate.
Music Industry Ensemble
Our FMU Music Industry Ensemble is a chamber ensemble devoted to the development of individual performance and improvisation skills through the staging of music for small groups representing a variety of classic and modern jazz, pop, rock and soul styles. The M.I.E. provides a workshop in which students also learn arranging, microphone technique and scheduling, sound reinforcement and lighting design.
Percussion Ensemble
The Francis Marion University Percussion Ensemble is a chamber music ensemble featuring works written or arranged specifically for percussion and percussion-related media.
Although students must audition to participate in the Francis Marion Percussion Ensemble, they do not have to be enrolled in the Percussion Ensemble course to participate.