Music Ensembles

The Washburn University Marching Band performs for athletic events, parades, and more. Learn more about the marching band

The Washburn University Orchestra is committed to the artistic development of its members and the performance of the highest-quality orchestral repertoire. Through a challenging and rewarding ensemble experience, students cultivate the technical skills, musical artistry, and collaborative musicianship necessary for success as performers, educators, and lifelong advocates for the arts.

The orchestra maintains an active performance schedule both on and off campus, providing students with numerous opportunities to engage with audiences and perform significant works from the symphonic literature. Each year, the ensemble presents at least four major concerts featuring a diverse range of orchestral masterworks spanning multiple historical periods and musical styles.

In addition to its regular concert season, the Washburn University Orchestra serves as a centerpiece of the department’s performance activities through special events such as the annual Solo, Aria, and Concerto Competition Concert, readings of new and contemporary works, and collaborative performances with the Washburn University Choir and other university ensembles. These experiences expose students to a broad spectrum of repertoire while fostering meaningful artistic partnerships across the department.

Open to both music majors and qualified non-majors, the Washburn University Orchestra provides a supportive and engaging environment where students can pursue excellence in performance while contributing to the rich musical life of the university and the greater Topeka community.

String Orchestra
The Washburn Chamber Orchestra provides students with the opportunity to perform a diverse repertoire written specifically for string ensembles. Designed to foster artistic growth and ensemble excellence, the group explores music from a variety of historical periods and styles, ranging from classical masterworks to contemporary compositions.

The ensemble performs regularly both on and off campus, offering students valuable performance experience while engaging audiences throughout the university and the greater Topeka community. Through rehearsals and public performances, members develop their technical skills, musical sensitivity, and collaborative musicianship in an intimate chamber ensemble setting.

The Washburn Chamber Orchestra complements the larger orchestral program by providing string players with additional opportunities to perform, refine their artistry, and explore the rich literature written for strings alone.

For additional information about orchestra opportunities at Washburn University, please contact Dr. Raffaele Cipriano at raffaele.cipriano@washburn.edu.

The Washburn University Wind Ensemble enjoys a reputation for excellence. By audition, the wind ensemble has twice represented the State of Kansas at the College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Conference and has regularly appeared at the KMEA Music Educators Convention since 1986.

The Wind Ensemble not only focuses on time-honored masterworks but has also earned a reputation throughout the Midwest for innovative programming and the presentation of new literature for the wind band medium. The Wind Ensemble has given premieres of works by composers Libby Larsen, Timothy Mahr, Frank Mantooth, and Darren Jenkins.

For more information about the wind ensemble, email music.theatre@washburn.edu.

The Washburn University Band provides opportunities for students, alumni, and music teachers to brush up on band rehearsal techniques, skills, and performance. Music teachers may choose to enroll at the graduate level for upper division re-certification credit. The music selection ranges from traditional Sousa marches to the latest experimental forms of musical expression. The University Band provides a unique opportunity for students to increase their ensemble listening and performing skills in a supportive atmosphere. Membership in the organization is open and no audition is required.

For more information about joining the University Band, email music.theatre@washburn.edu.

The Washburn Choir and Washburn Singers are the Department of Music & Theatre’s premier choral ensembles, recognized for their tradition of artistic excellence and distinguished performance history. Together, these ensembles present numerous concerts each year on campus and throughout Kansas and the Midwest, serving as musical ambassadors for Washburn University and the Topeka community.

As part of the capital city’s cultural landscape, Washburn choirs are regularly invited to perform for civic, governmental, and ceremonial events. Over the years, the ensembles have appeared before numerous state and national dignitaries and have earned recognition for their exceptional musicianship. Notable performances include an invitation for the Washburn Singers to perform at the 2010 Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) Conference in Wichita and the Washburn Choir’s acclaimed appearance at the 1997 KMEA Keynote Concert, where the ensemble received a standing ovation.

Washburn choir members have also enjoyed opportunities for international performance and cultural exchange. Ensemble tours have included performances in Great Britain in 1995, Germany and Austria in 1998, and South Africa in 2007, providing students with unforgettable musical and educational experiences while representing the university on the global stage.

Known for their high standards and commitment to excellence, Washburn choirs maintain an energetic and focused rehearsal environment where careful attention is given to the musical details that inspire outstanding performances. Students benefit from a collaborative atmosphere that fosters musical growth, lasting friendships, and meaningful artistic experiences.

Participation in a Washburn choral ensemble offers students the opportunity to develop their vocal and ensemble skills while becoming part of a proud tradition of musical achievement. Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to participate and discover the rewards of singing in a dynamic and supportive community.

For more information about the Washburn Choir and Washburn Singers, please contact Professor Kelli Baker at kelli.baker@washburn.edu.

The flute ensemble is dedicated to encouraging and supporting flute-related activities, as well as encouraging an appreciation for flute music through performances.

For more information, contact Rebecca Meador at rebecca.meador@washburn.edu.

The Percussion Ensemble is really a percussion “orchestra,” and is an integral part of the percussion studies program at Washburn University. All percussion majors are required to enroll in percussion ensemble. The ensemble performs a wide variety of music, including standard works in the repertoire along with new music for the percussion orchestra. Chosen works may include both pitched and non-pitched instruments. It is here that percussion students receive their true chamber music experience, with each member playing an individual part and providing an individual contribution to the overall composition.

The ensemble plays several concerts each year, including a very popular Holiday Concert during the Christmas season. The ensemble has performed numerous times at the Kansas Music Educators Convention, as well as at the Oklahoma Day of Percussion, and in other concert settings at Washburn University. They continue to maintain the highest standard of excellence and musicality.

For information about the percussion ensemble, email Von Hanson, von.hansen@washburn.edu. 

The Clarinet Ensemble is a branch of the Washburn University Clarinet Association (WUCA), an organization that includes clarinet outreach and chamber music performances. Clarinet music majors and minors participate in this ensemble to study, learn, and perform clarinet chamber music including duos, trios, quartets, and clarinet choir. The Clarinet Ensemble is available for performances through the Washburn University Clarinet Association (WUCA).

For information on the clarinet ensemble, email Luke Vasilarakos at luke.vasilarakos@washburn.edu

The Washburn University Cello Ensemble brings together music performance majors, music education majors, and non-music majors who share a passion for cello performance and collaborative music-making. The ensemble provides students with a unique opportunity to explore the rich and diverse repertoire written for multiple cellos, ranging from classical masterworks to contemporary compositions.

Through regular rehearsals and performances, students develop their technical proficiency, musical expression, and ensemble skills while gaining valuable experience performing in a chamber music setting. The ensemble emphasizes artistic growth, stylistic versatility, and the development of strong collaborative musicianship.

Members of the Cello Ensemble have opportunities to perform at university concerts, community events, and regional performances, serving as ambassadors for Washburn University while engaging audiences throughout the area. These experiences help students build confidence as performers and deepen their understanding of musical interpretation and performance practice.

Open to students from a variety of academic backgrounds, the Washburn University Cello Ensemble offers a supportive and rewarding environment where participants can refine their skills, expand their repertoire, and share their love of music with the campus and community.

For more information about the Cello Ensemble, contact Professor Eman Gallehdari-Chalshotori at eman.gallehdari-chalshotori@washburn.edu

Washburn Jazz Orchestra

The Washburn Jazz Orchestra is recognized as one of the premier jazz ensembles in the country. The ensemble has been acknowledged for its musicality and technical precision from a number of highly recognized jazz educators and artists. The ensemble performs a wide variety of literature from early jazz to modern contemporary styles.

Washburn Concert Jazz Orchestra

The Washburn Concert Jazz Orchestra is for majors and non-majors interested in continuing their study in jazz. The group meets on a regular basis performing standard jazz ensemble literature. The group is auditioned for chair placement only.

Jazzocracy

Jazzocracy is Washburn University’s premier jazz combo performing literature of highly recognized jazz artists and original compositions.  The group averages 30 performances each year including jazz festivals, university performances, and at corporate and community events. Scholarships are available.

The Jazz Colonists

The Jazz Colonist is an beginning/intermediate level jazz combo. Students of all instrumentation are welcome to study and learn jazz improvisation in a small group setting. Students wanting to participate in this group must have a basic knowledge of all major and minor scales. 

For additional information on jazz ensembles, contact Craig Treinen at craig.treinen@washburn.edu.

The Washburn Opera Studio is dedicated to developing the skills of the singer-actor through the study and performance of opera and other forms of music theatre. As a vibrant and growing program, Opera Studio provides students with opportunities to refine their vocal technique, stage presence, dramatic interpretation, and collaborative artistry in a supportive and professional environment.

Performance repertoire is carefully selected to meet the educational and artistic needs of the students, ensuring meaningful growth and success at every stage of development. Throughout the academic year, students gain valuable performance experience through a variety of productions and presentations. During the fall semester, Opera Studio presents workshop performances that allow students to explore operatic scenes and roles in an educational setting. In the spring semester, students participate in a fully staged production that serves as the centerpiece of the program’s performance season.

A distinctive feature of the Opera Studio experience is the opportunity to perform with members of the Washburn Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Raffaele Cipriano. This collaboration provides students with the invaluable experience of working with a professional conductor and orchestra in a fully realized theatrical production. Auditions for spring productions are typically held during the fall semester.

In addition to on-campus performances, the Opera Studio engages in community outreach and touring performances, bringing opera and music theatre to audiences throughout the region while providing students with additional performance opportunities.

Through rigorous preparation, collaborative performance experiences, and individualized artistic development, the Washburn Opera Studio equips students with the skills and confidence needed to excel as performers and communicators in the world of vocal music.

For additional information about Opera Studio, please contact Dr. Joseph DeSota at joseph.desota@washburn.edu.

The keyboard program at Washburn University provides students with a comprehensive and collaborative musical experience that extends far beyond solo performance. In addition to private study and solo repertoire, all keyboard students participate in collaborative piano, working in semester-long partnerships with instrumentalists and vocalists. These experiences help students develop essential skills such as sight-reading, musical communication, and artistic collaboration while preparing them for a wide range of professional opportunities in the music field.

Keyboard students also perform in a variety of piano ensembles, including four-hand piano duets and piano duo repertoire. These ensemble experiences foster teamwork, listening skills, and stylistic versatility while introducing students to the rich literature written for multiple pianists.

Participation in chamber music and other small ensembles is an integral component of the keyboard curriculum. Students regularly collaborate with fellow musicians in a variety of settings, gaining valuable experience in rehearsal techniques, performance preparation, and ensemble leadership. Some students also have opportunities to perform with larger ensembles, including the Washburn University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, further broadening their musical experiences.

For students with an interest in jazz, additional opportunities exist to perform in Washburn’s jazz ensembles, where they can develop skills in improvisation, stylistic interpretation, and contemporary performance practices. Keyboard students are also encouraged to participate in one of Washburn University's choral ensembles, providing further opportunities for musical growth and collaboration across disciplines.

Through a diverse range of performance experiences, the keyboard program prepares students to become versatile musicians who are well equipped for careers in performance, accompanying, teaching, collaborative piano, and graduate study. The program emphasizes technical excellence, artistic expression, and the collaborative skills that are essential for success in today’s musical profession. For more additional information, please contact Dr. Lucy Tan at lucy.tan@washburn.edu.