College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Music Program Ensembles

There are numerous ensemble opportunities at NC A&T. The largest and most visible instrumental ensemble is the University Band, which consists of the Blue & Gold Marching Machine, Pep Band, Wind Ensemble (Spring only), and Symphonic Band. Smaller ensembles offered in the spring only, include Trumpet, Horn Ensemble, Trombone Ensemble, Low Brass Ensemble, and Brass Choir Brass Choir.

The N.C. A&T State University Marching Machine (MUSI 300 - Fall)
The University Marching Band performs in the fall at all home and many away football games. Membership is open to qualified students by audition. Contact Dr. Kenneth Ruff, 336-334-7776, Director of Bands, Mr. Thomas Warner, Dr. Lamon Lawhorn, or Mr. Aaron Cambell, Assistant Directors for more information.

Symphonic Band (MUSI 300 Spring)
The Symphonic Band rehearses and performs during the spring semester as the replacement ensemble for the marching band. The repertoire of the Symphonic Band is varied, and performances include campus, city, and state-wide events. Contact Kenneth Ruff, 336-334-7776, Director of Bands, for more information.

Jazz Ensemble (MUSI 308)
The University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Jonovan Cooper, 336-285-2020, includes a large big band, smaller jazz combo and a vocal jazz ensemble.

Musicians in the jazz ensemble represent many disciplines in the university including, music, biology, engineering, pre-law and more. Music played includes the classics of bands like Ellington and Basie as well as contemporary standards from the likes of Roy Hargrove and international artists like Mulatu Astatke. Guest artists such as Clark Terry, Max Roach, Slide Hampton, and Delfeayo Marsalis have performed with the band and the band recently had the opportunity to be coached by the entire Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. You can connect with the ensemble on Instagram and YouTube.

University Choir (MUSI 301)
The University Choir performs a wide range of compositions for mixed voices. The choir performs on campus and throughout the Eastern United States. Locally, the choir has performed with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and the Greensboro Opera Company. Contact Travis Alexander, 336-334-7179, University Choir Director, for more information.

Chamber Singers (MUSI 306)
This is a choral organization which is designed to perform a wide variety of compositions written for voices representing various musical styles and periods. The performances include frequent public concerts. Membership is open to qualified students through audition with the director, Mr. Travis Alexander.

Opera Workshop (MUSI 305)
Musical and dramatic group study and performance of excerpts from the operatic repertoire will be included. This course includes an annual production of a standard opera and/or contemporary chamber work, with staging, costumes, and scenery. Students must secure the approval of their university voice instructor before enrolling. Directed by Dr. Van-Anthoney Hall & Ms. Valerie Johnson.

Small Ensembles
Several small ensembles perform throughout the year, both on and off campus. They include various brass and woodwind ensembles, as well as a percussion ensemble. Membership is open to all students who wish to audition.

Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group open to all NC A&T students consist of approximately 45-50 musicians. Rehearsals are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and every first and third Friday. The ensemble focuses on challenging band literature, aiming to enhance its members' musical and technical skills. Performances are designed to entertain and appeal to diverse audiences. 

Symphonic Band
Meeting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every second and fourth Friday, the Symphonic Band comprises 65-75 musicians, many of whom are non-music majors. The ensemble allows students to continue developing their instrumental skills while performing standard concert band literature. In addition to a spring concert, the band performs at various community events and public-school engagements. 

Trumpet Choir
The Trumpet Choir is one of the small ensembles within the Department of Bands. These groups, ranging from 8 to 25 musicians, emphasize musicianship and technique development. Due to their size, individual accountability is crucial, fostering independent musicianship and enhancing performance levels. 

Horn Choir
The Horn Choir at North Carolina A&T State University is a specialized brass ensemble dedicated to showcasing the rich, warm, and versatile sound of the French horn. Comprised of undergraduate and graduate students, the ensemble performs a diverse and dynamic repertoire, ranging from classical transcriptions and contemporary works to film scores, jazz arrangements, and original compositions written specifically for the horn choir.

Trombone Choir
The Trombone Choir is an ensemble composed entirely of trombonists, covering soprano, alto, tenor, and bass trombones where available. This ensemble performs a wide range of repertoire, from Renaissance music to jazz and modern compositions. The Trombone Choir helps players refine their technical and expressive capabilities while exploring diverse musical styles. The group frequently performs at university concerts, outreach events, and special performances.

Low Brass Choir
The Low Brass Choir features a mix of trombones, euphoniums, and tubas, creating a rich and resonant ensemble sound. This group performs original compositions and transcriptions of orchestral, choral, and jazz works. The ensemble focuses on deepening players’ understanding of balance, tone production, and ensemble cohesion. Performances often showcase the expressive and technical capabilities of low brass instruments.

Brass Choir
Referred to as the Brass Ensemble, this group is part of the small ensembles offered by the Department of Bands. Like the Trumpet Choir, it focuses on developing musicianship and technique among its members, with performances throughout the year both on and off campus.

The most visible Vocal Ensemble in the University Choir (MUSI 301). All vocal and piano majors This ensemble is primarily for music majors, however non-majors can audition for membership. A smaller group, Chamber Singers (MUSI 306) includes the top vocalists from the University Choir.