Instrumental Ensembles
WLU offers students from across the campus a variety of opportunities to continue performing throughout their college career. Most ensembles are “By Audition Only” but non-majors are encouraged to audition. Except for Pep Band, all ensembles operate as any other course on campus; students must register for the course, are given a grade, and receive academic credit for successful participation.
Ensemble participation is required of instrumental music majors. Minimum requirements are outlined here (below).
MUS 364 (1 cr Fall – 2 cr Spring)
- Wind Ensemble–Dr. Matthew Inkster, conductor
MUS 264 (1 cr Fall or Spring, Marching Band Fall only)
- Marching Band, “Pride of the Hill”–Prof. Brian Baldauff, director
- Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra–Dr. Matthew Inkster, conductor
MUS 263 (1 cr Fall or Spring, some ensembles meet every semester)
- Jazz Ensemble–Dr. Christopher Barrick, director
- Percussion Ensemble–Prof. Brian Baldauff, director
- Chamber Wind Ensemble–Dr. Matthew Inkster, conductor
- Brass Ensembles–Dr. Matthew Inkster, director
- Woodwind Ensembles–Dr. Christopher Barrick and Wendy Kumer, directors
- Electronic Music Ensemble–Dr. Matthew Harder, director
- Jazz Combo–Dr. Christopher Barrick, director
- Steel Band–Prof. Brian Baldauff
Basketball Pep Band–Prof. Brian Baldauff
Ensemble Participation Minimum Requirements for Instrumental Majors
BA in Music Education-Instrumental Emphasis
- Brass, Woodwind and Percussion Majors: A minimum of 4 semester hours is required in instrumental organizations. Satisfactory completion of: 1) MUS 364 each semester of full‑time enrollment except for the semester of student teaching; 2) Marching Band (MUS 264) a minimum of the first two Fall semesters in attendance; 3) a minimum of two semesters in MUS 263 level ensembles; and 4) a minimum of two semesters of participation in choral organizations.
- Guitar Majors: A minimum of 4 semesters participation in MUS 364. Two semesters participation in guitar ensemble or an appropriate string ensemble. A minimum of two semesters participation in choral organizations.
- Piano Majors: A minimum of 4 semesters participation in MUS 364. Two semesters of MUS 374 Accompanying Practicum. A minimum of two semesters participation in choral organizations.
- Organ Majors: A minimum of 4 semesters participation in MUS 364. Two semesters of MUS 374 Accompanying Practicum. A minimum of two semesters participation in choral organizations.
BM in Music Performance-Instrumental Emphases
- Brass, Woodwind and Percussion: Minimum of 17 semester hours; a minimum of 4 semester hours is required in WLU instrumental organizations. Satisfactory completion of: 1) MUS 364 each semester of full‑time enrollment; 2) Marching Band (MUS 264) a minimum of the first two Fall semesters in attendance; and 3) at least 1 MUS 263 level ensemble all but the last semester of full-time enrollment.
- Guitar: Minimum of 17 semester hours; a minimum of 4 semester hours is required in WLU instrumental organizations. Satisfactory completion of: 1) MUS 364 minimum of 4 semesters; 2) Guitar Ensemble each semester of full-time enrollment; and 3) at least 2 semesters participation in a choral ensembles.
- Piano: Minimum of 8 semester hours; a minimum of 4 semester hours is required in WLU musical organizations.
BM in Music Technology
- Music Technology majors must take at least seven (7) semesters of Ensembles
- Winds, Brass, Percussion: Minimum of at least four (4) semester hours of Wind Ensemble
- Voice: Minimum of at least four (4) semester hours of University Chorus
- Guitar: Minimum of at least four (4) semester hours of Guitar Ensemble.
- All Music Technology Majors regardless of performance area: Minimum of at least two (2) semester hours of Electronic Music Ensemble.
