Music Ensembles
If you major in music, you’re encouraged to participate in one of the College’s many instrumental or choral ensembles. By doing so, you’ll not only enjoy extraordinary artistic opportunities each semester, but develop an appreciation of the creative endeavor related to music and musical performance.
All our ensembles are open to the entire student body. Members are chosen through auditions.
Instrumental
Orchestra
The F&M Orchestra is an ensemble of 70 to 80 members made up primarily of F&M students, along with members of the community and outstanding high school musicians.
Contact for More Information
Brian Norcross
Senior Director of Instrumental Music & Conducting Studies and Senior Teaching Professor
of Music
Philharmonia
The College’s select chamber orchestra and chamber wind ensemble, the F&M Philharmonia, comprises approximately 30 fine instrumentalists who are also members of either the F&M Orchestra or Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Contact for More Information
Brian Norcross
Senior Director of Instrumental Music & Conducting Studies and Senior Teaching Professor
of Music
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is an ensemble of approximately 50 players, primarily made up of F&M students, as well as members of the community and outstanding high school musicians.
Contact for More Information
Brian Norcross
Senior Director of Instrumental Music & Conducting Studies and Senior Teaching Professor
of Music
Chamber Music
The Franklin & Marshall Chamber Music program provides talented instrumental musicians with the opportunity to experience small ensemble repertoire. The ensembles range from trios to septets, and may include instrumentation for strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, guitar, voice, and piano. Two of the chamber ensembles include the Jazz Combo and the Western African Drumming Ensemble. The Jazz Combo explores a variety of styles including swing, ballads, rock, Latin and more. The Western African Drumming Ensemble explores the traditions, art, and folklore of percussion-based African music and song. Participants develop percussive techniques and rhythmic patterns that create authentic performances.
Contact for More Information
Chamber Music Coordinator
Doris Hall-Gulati
Artist-in-Residence, Senior Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music, Clarinet, Chamber
Music Coordinator
Jazz Combo
Neil Podgurski
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano & Improv
Western African Drumming Ensemble
Tammi Hessen
Senior Adjunct Instructor of Music, African Drum Ensemble Conductor
Choral
College Chorus
Made up of approximately 60 singers, the College Chorus performs the great masterpieces of the choral repertoire, both a cappella and with orchestra.
Contact for More Information
William Wright
Choral Conductor and Senior Teaching Professor of Music
Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers is a vocal ensemble made up of approximately 20 singers, chosen by audition. Repertoire ranges from music of the Medieval period to premieres of new music.
Contact for More Information
William Wright
Choral Conductor and Senior Teaching Professor of Music