The Wind Studies department has a variety of ensembles for all students at Nazareth.

• Wind Symphony

• Night Flyers Community Band

• Chamber Winds

• Saxophone Society

• Brass Choir

For more information please contact Dr. Jared Chase, Director of Wind Studies, jchase6@naz.edu

Perform traditional and contemporary professional orchestral works and concerti in the following ensembles:

• Symphony Orchestra

• Chamber Ensemble

For more information, contact Dr, Raul Munguia, Director of String Studies, rmungui7@naz.edu

Choral Ensemble Offerings

For more information, please contact Dr. Eric Rubinstein, Director of Choral Activities, erubins6@naz.edu 

Rock & Contemporary Music Ensemble

Learn standard rock tunes with faculty and students.

Rehearsals: Fridays 12:30 – 2:30 pm; Founders 126C

For more information, contact Dave Drago, director, ddrago7@naz.edu 

Jazz Combo - “Loose Change”

The jazz combo "Loose Change" is an auditioned small ensemble that presents a formal concert each semester, and performs for other events as well, both on and off campus. Rehearsing twice weekly, the ensemble explores the standard jazz repertory and frequently focuses on one or two composers or styles each semester. Student compositions are encouraged. Members will typically have had some experience with jazz improvisation, since much of the music is improvised. 

Rehearsals: Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.; Founders 126C

For more information, contact Brad Batz, director, bbatz8@naz.edu 

Jazz Lab Band

The Lab Band, while based on the standard saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm instrumentation, welcomes all students who are interested in learning about and performing jazz. The repertoire consists of an upper high school to beginning collegiate level of musicianship. Lab Band welcomes non-standard jazz instruments and plays standard (and not-so-standard) works from the libraries of professional big bands, and also original compositions and arrangements from students, the director, and others. Time is spent on learning about improvisation and how to approach it, and also on how to interpret notation in the various styles of swing, Latin, and funk. The group performs both on and off campus each semester. Private jazz improvisation lessons are also available.

Every other year, a guest artist performs and gives a masterclass for the Jazz Studies program. Guest have included Al Chez, Ken Peplowski, and Robert Edwards.

Rehearsals: Mondays and Thursdays, 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.; Founders 126

For more information, contact Brad Batz, director, bbatz8@naz.edu 

Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble, while based on the standard saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm instrumentation, welcomes students who are interested in learning about and performing jazz. Repertoire consists of standard (and not-so-standard) works from the libraries of professional big bands, and also original compositions and arrangements from students, the director, and others. Time is spent on learning about improvisation and how to approach it, and also on how to interpret notation in the various styles of swing, Latin, and funk. The group performs both on and off campus each semester. 

Rehearsals: Mondays & Wednesdays, 8:30 to 9:45 p.m.; Founders 126C

For more information, contact Brad Batz, director, bbatz8@naz.edu 

The Percussion Ensemble is open to all students with percussion training and experience. We present concerts on and off campus each semester. The repertoire includes a broad range from classic literature to contemporary and minimalistic music, world music, marimba ensemble, jazz, rock, and found object "Stomp" style pieces. Students are encouraged to compose and arrange their own pieces for performance by the group. The ensemble gives students a chance to develop their musicianship, ensemble and technical skills, and have fun in the process.

Rehearsals: Fridays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Beston Hall, GMPC

For more information, contact Prof. Kristen Shiner McGuire, Director of Percussive Studies, kshiner7@naz.edu

Opera Workshop

The Opera Workshop is devoted to the performance of opera, operetta, and a variety of musical theatre. Students involved in the opera benefit from rehearsals and master classes focusing on music, character development, stage movement/deportment, and communication. Students’ performances culminate in the synthesis of staged experiences, where pedagogy and artistry coalesce.

Cast members are selected by audition. Auditions for the season are in late August. The entire season will be cast from this audition.

Students work on stage deportment, and rehearse opera scenes and Gala performance material leading into these performances in the fall semester. Students present a fully-staged opera performance the last week of March in Beston Hall. The students in the program also participate in recruitment/educational activities.

Rehearsals: Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm; Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm; Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm

For more information, please contact Prof. Kasi Krenzer Marshall, stage director, kkrenze7@naz.edu  

Previous Productions

• Dialogues of the Carmelites, Francis Poulenc, a co-production with Nazareth Symphony Orchestra with Dr. Raul Mungia, conductor 
• Cinderella, a multimedia performance with libretto by MMPP student, Jennifer Cesare
• Bastianello by John Musto in Collaboration with Rochester Lyric Opera with Dr. Jared Chase, conductor     
• La Canterina by Haydn, Captain Lovelock by John Duke and The Impresario by Mozart
• Hansel and Gretel by Englebert Humperdinck
• Daphnis und Chloë by Offenbach
• La Calisto by Francesco Cavalli
• Marriage and Other Endings
• The Medium by Menotti

Piano Chamber Players provides opportunities for pianists to participate in piano quartets, trios, duos and duets, vocal accompanying, and mixed chamber ensembles. Students meet weekly to explore literature, and prepare for performances on and off campus. While all piano primaries participate, the ensembles are open to other qualified students upon audition.

For more information, contact Dr. Kevin Nitsch, director, knitsch1@naz.edu