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Brass Ensembles at the University of Mary have a long history of on- and off-campus performances and provide a wide array of opportunities for the brass musician. Groups range in size from duos and trios, to like-instrument quartets (such as trumpet, trombone, or horn quartets), brass quintets, and finally, the Gabrieli Brass Ensemble.

Weekly rehearsals are coached by Dennis Gowen and Prof. Anthony Williams, and many of these groups have student-run rehearsals, which is a valuable way to learn about the significance and importance each player brings to the ensemble. Recent events include a performance by one of the Brass Quintets at the Canadian Brass Master class in September of 2009, and participation by several groups in the Presidential Inauguration celebrations of Fr. James Shea.

The Gabrieli Brass Ensemble, begin back in the early 1990s, is a staple of the University's annual Christmas at Mary concerts. With our chapel's outstanding acoustics and variety of placement options for performance groups, the Gabrieli Brass Ensemble can literally surround the audience with the sounds of brass in the style reminiscent of St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice.

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New: Band Placement Audition Information

Join us! We've entered the 21st century as regional leaders in large ensemble performances - with exciting music, outstanding soloists and professional collaborative partners such as the Northern Plains Ballet. All we're missing is you. We want you to be a part of this dynamic, growing, and forward-looking experience, an experience that will be invaluable to you as you graduate from America's Leadership University.

If you would like to learn more about the Brass, Woodwind or Percussion Studies programs at U-Mary, receive a complimentary copy of our most recent band CD, "Fanfares & Flourishes," or receive complimentary copies of recent concert programs, contact:

Dennis Gowen
Director of Bands & Brass Studies
University of Mary
7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
(800) 408-6279, ext. 8068
(701) 355-8068
dcgowen@umary.edu

2010-2011 Concert Season

The upcoming 2010-2011 concert season will be another exciting one for us. Just having come off a wonderfully successful tour this past spring, we’re gearing up for another great year! We’ll feature several outstanding works encompassing original band music as well as some outstanding orchestral transcriptions. Look for featured students as either soloists or conductors, among other fun surprises. Gustav Holst’s “Second Suite in F” will be performed in honor of its 100th anniversary. Possible works include “Gabrieli’s Trumpet” by Christopher Tucker, and “Cathedrals” by Kathryn Salfelder.

2009-2010 Concert Season

The University Concert Band experienced another wonderfully successful concert season in 2009-’10. We celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Gustav Holst’s landmark “Suite in Eb” for military band with a performance of this great work. Also featured were “Light Cavalry Overture” by Franz von Suppé, “La Fiesta Mexicana” by H. Owen Reed, “Children’s March” by Percy Grainger, and “Slavonic Dance Op. 46 No. 8” by Antonín Dvorák.

Several students were featured as soloists or conductors, including student conductors Shawna Metzger (“Southern Hymn” by Hazo) and Christine Thelen (“Free Lance March” by Sousa), and the entire trumpet section (“Bugler’s Holiday” by Anderson). Our band and choir tour in the spring of 2010 took us to points west and north, including Williston, ND and Billings/Great Falls/Bozeman, MT. By far the most popular selection by the band was “Ghost Train” by Eric Whitacre!

Click here to read about the previous concert seasons.

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The University of Mary Jazz Ensemble is an 18-piece big band that performs a challenging repertoire from the Swing Era through contemporary jazz. Student compositions are also performed in concert.

The U-Mary Jazz Ensemble has won numerous awards at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival in Chicago, has performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and has released two CDs on the Sea Breeze record label.

The Jazz Ensemble is also the host band for the annual University of Mary Jazz Festival in January, and has performed with many world-renowned guest artists over the years, including Bob Mintzer, Tom "Bones" Malone, Lenny Pickett, Don Ellis, Bill Watrous, and Kenny Werner. The U-Mary Jazz Ensemble is directed by Prof. Anthony Williams.

Jazz Ensemble audition requirements

Jazz Ensemble FAQs

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The University of Mary offers several jazz combos for any student with an interest in jazz improvisation and performance in a small group setting. Jazz combos have several performance opportunities throughout the year, including at the University of Mary Jazz Festival.

Students in the U-Mary jazz combos learn a variety of jazz styles, from dixieland to fusion, and student compositions are always encouraged. Jazz combos are directed by Prof. Anthony Williams.

Check out our award-winning Jazz Combo I at the 2009 Elmhurst College Jazz Festival!

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The University of Mary "Sounds of Spirit" Pep Band, under the direction of Prof. Anthony Williams, is composed of over 40 students representing many different academic majors and musical backgrounds. The Pep Band performs at all home football and most home basketball games, and is open to all interested students regardless of major.

If you are interested in joining the U-Mary Pep Band, please e-mail Prof. Anthony Williams at anwilliams@umary.edu.

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The Percussion Ensemble at the University of Mary offers students an opportunity to perform music in this contemporary medium. Goals of this ensemble include the development of chamber music performance and exposure to proper technique and musicianship on all percussion instruments. This ensemble performs a diverse repertoire including historically significant literature, contemporary works, rudimental drumming, improvised music, mallet ensemble compositions, and a wide range of world music. The Percussion Ensemble is open to all university students. Interested students should contact Prof. Lucas Bernier.

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The University of Mary Steel Band, formed in 1989 by Scott Prebys, provides performers and audience members an opportunity to explore the unique musical art form of Trinidadian steel pans. The ensemble performs a vast repertoire including calypso and soca from Trinidad as well as American pop, Latin, jazz, and classical music. They have been featured at the 2003 Percussion Arts Society International Convention, with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra, and have performed with artists including Andy Narell, Mat Britain, and Alex Acuna. The steel band is open to all university students. Interested students should contact Prof. Lucas Bernier.

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The University of Mary offers a challenging, dynamic, and competitive course of study in all woodwind instruments. Emphasis is placed upon the execution of woodwind technique within the framework of high quality literature. Within the program, students may also study woodwind doubling, jazz studies, pedagogy, and teaching techniques. Graduates of the program are currently employed throughout the United States and Canada in the fields of music education, performance, instrument repair, and music business.

To learn more about this program, please contact Dr. Michelle Kiec.

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University of Mary Concert Choir is open to all U-Mary students who love to sing. Choir meets M-F at Noon and performs a wide variety of high quality choral literature at a number of events on and off campus, including the annual production of Christmas at Mary. Recent programs have included choral masterworks such as Cloudburst, Magnificat by Arvo Part, Ave Maris Stella by Trond Kverno, and Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened by G.F. Handel. Concert Choir will perform Carmina Burana with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra in March 2010, and is touring Montana in February-March 2010. Students of all majors are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Tom Porter.

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Chamber Choir is an opportunity for Concert Choir members to sing challenging and vibrant music from the Renaissance to the present in a small ensemble. Members develop independent singing and heighten their awareness of vocal and choral technique and musicianship in rehearsals and performances. Chamber Choir is an auditioned ensemble that meets Spring semester and performs at University and community events. For more information, contact Dr. Tom Porter.

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Vocal Arts Ensemble: The University of Mary Vocal Arts Ensemble (UMVAE) provides students the opportunity to participate in a variety of enriching performing experiences in the song literature, opera, operetta and musical theatre venues. The focus is to help young singers find their acting talents and to execute them in a natural and logical way while maintaining the disciplines which are necessary for the body to optimally function as a singing instrument. Typical problems of the singer in the rehearsal and performance phases are analyzed and discussed. The solutions to these problems are then implemented in staged operatic and operetta scenes, which are then presented to the public with simple stage sets, props, and costumes. UMVAE performs abridged concert version and staged operatic works on the University of Mary campus in R.M. Heskett Hall in the Clairmont Center for Performing Arts, as well through community outreach to schools in the region. For more information, contact Prof. Katherine Henjum.

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Vocal Jazz is a select vocal ensemble that performs a variety of contemporary music, mostly in the a cappella genre. From jazz standards, such as Birdland, Orange Colored Sky, and It Don't Mean a Thing, to popular hits like Hide and Seek, I Run to You, and Ticket to Ride, VJ brings musical excellence and high energy to every performance. VJ is one of the featured ensembles at U-Mary Jazz Festival, and performs at a number of campus and community events each year. Auditions for VJ take place during the first week of fall semester; members also sing in Concert Choir. For more information, contact Dr. Tom Porter.

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