SDSU Instrumental Ensembles
Our bands, choirs and orchestra are a big part of what we like to call the front porch of the university. Once you have experienced one of our ensembles, you will understand why they are known as some of the best in the West and why our university is so proud to call them home.
Jackrabbit musicians are some of the most hard-working, well-traveled students on campus. With a symphony orchestra and two jazz ensembles, there is a musical outlet for everyone in the School of Performing Arts. We are by design a school that focuses all of its attention on undergraduate learning, research, creative activity and service to the discipline of music.
The 葫芦影业 Civic Symphony is a versatile organization that performs a three concert season in SDSU鈥檚 Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. The earliest mention of an active symphony on SDSU's campus dates to 1914. In the same year, the symphony mounted a performance of Handel鈥檚 Messiah. Notwithstanding a brief hiatus of the organization during World War II, the organization has been active ever since.
Participation includes music majors, non-majors and adult musicians. The group practices on Tuesdays during the academic year.
Concert programs by the symphony include masterworks and 鈥減ops鈥 styled selections. Performances are held in November, February and April.
There are four jazz ensembles (two big bands, two combos) at SDSU under the direction of Yi Chen, and all are open by audition to students from any major on campus. Presenting the best in both traditional and contemporary jazz literature, the jazz ensembles perform a Fall Concert in November and a Spring Concert in April. Student ensembles also perform locally at venues throughout the year. SDSU also offers courses in jazz improvisation, jazz pedagogy and jazz appreciation.
In 2012, SDSU Jazz Ensemble I performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Many world-class musicians have performed with the ensembles through the years, including: Gary Burton, Louis Bellson, Dizzy Gillespie, Carl "Doc" Severinsen, Dick Oatts, Dana Landry, Paul McKee, Jim White, Phil Wilson, Clayton Cameron, Bobby Shew and Gary Foster.
The SDSU jazz program hosts instrumental and vocal ensembles throughout the region during the annual SDSU Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival.
