Trinity's Music Ensembles

Music Ensembles

Music Ensembles at Trinity

For information about upcoming music performances at Trinity, please visit college events and join our Facebook page, Trinity Christian College Music Department. For information about majoring or minoring in music, please visit the Music Department page.

About the Ensembles

In Trinity’s music ensembles, students together glorify God through the gift of music while making excellent music and building strong relationships.

Trinity’s music ensembles are open to all students from any major. Students are encouraged to join multiple ensembles and to participate in ensembles throughout their entire time at Trinity.

Led by excellent music faculty who are experts in their fields of music performance and care deeply about their students, Trinity’s ensembles represent a wide range of musical styles, times, and places, celebrating the rich gifts of human creativity across time and place.

Trinity’s ensembles perform on campus in a variety of settings, as well as in local churches, schools, and nursing homes. Ensembles also occasionally make short tours in the Midwest and beyond.

Joining an Ensemble

To join a music ensemble, simply register for the ensemble as you would for any other course. Each ensemble is one academic credit per semester. You will be asked to perform a placement hearing for the director, so they can get to know you and consider how you will best contribute to the group.

Students are welcomed into the following ensembles at Trinity:

Choir Ensembles

Concert Choir performance

Concert Choir (MUSC 131) is directed by Professor Toni Esker.  It is open to all singers.

Students study and perform a variety of choral literature. The choir is open to students who successfully complete an audition with the director. Previous singing experience and good sight reading skills are expected of Concert Choir members. The choir performs a major concert and several church services each semester, and tours annually.

+ Concert Choir
Concert Choir performance
+ OVERVIEW

Concert Choir (MUSC 131) is directed by Professor Toni Esker.  It is open to all singers.

Students study and perform a variety of choral literature. The choir is open to students who successfully complete an audition with the director. Previous singing experience and good sight reading skills are expected of Concert Choir members. The choir performs a major concert and several church services each semester, and tours annually.

Honors Ensemble performance

Honors Ensemble (MUSC 133) is directed by Professor Toni Esker.   It is limited to 12 singers and one piano accompanist.  Acceptance into the ensemble is by audition only.

The members of this select vocal ensemble are chosen by competitive audition and are recipients of the Janet De Maa Ozinga Memorial Scholarship. Members are required to sing in Concert Choir. The ensemble performs on choral concerts and for several church services each semester, and tours regularly.

+ Honors Ensemble
Honors Ensemble performance
+ OVERVIEW

Honors Ensemble (MUSC 133) is directed by Professor Toni Esker.   It is limited to 12 singers and one piano accompanist.  Acceptance into the ensemble is by audition only.

The members of this select vocal ensemble are chosen by competitive audition and are recipients of the Janet De Maa Ozinga Memorial Scholarship. Members are required to sing in Concert Choir. The ensemble performs on choral concerts and for several church services each semester, and tours regularly.

Gospel Choir performance

Gospel Choir (MUSC 138) is directed by Professor Nicole Saint-Victor.  It is open to all singers.

Students study and perform representative choral literature from the African-American gospel tradition. Open to all students. No audition is required.

+ Gospel Choir
Gospel Choir performance
+ OVERVIEW

Gospel Choir (MUSC 138) is directed by Professor Nicole Saint-Victor.  It is open to all singers.

Students study and perform representative choral literature from the African-American gospel tradition. Open to all students. No audition is required.

Instrumental Ensembles

Concert Band Ensemble performance

Wind Ensemble (MUSC 132) is directed by Professor Justin Antos.

The study and performance of instrumental music literature. The course is open to players of woodwind,  brass, and percussion instruments.

+ Concert Band
Concert Band Ensemble performance
+ OVERVIEW

Wind Ensemble (MUSC 132) is directed by Professor Justin Antos.

The study and performance of instrumental music literature. The course is open to players of woodwind,  brass, and percussion instruments.

Jazz Ensemble performance

Jazz Ensemble (MUSC 136) is directed by Professor Kevin Brown.  It is open to all instrumentalists.

An ensemble devoted to the study and performance of historic and contemporary jazz instrumental music, including Dixieland, ragtime, blues, and swing/big band arrangements. Prerequisite: membership in wind ensemble or permission of instructor.

+ Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble performance
+ OVERVIEW

Jazz Ensemble (MUSC 136) is directed by Professor Kevin Brown.  It is open to all instrumentalists.

An ensemble devoted to the study and performance of historic and contemporary jazz instrumental music, including Dixieland, ragtime, blues, and swing/big band arrangements. Prerequisite: membership in wind ensemble or permission of instructor.

Brass Quintet performing outside on the Tab Lawn

Brass Quintet (MUSC 139) is open to all brass instrumentalists.

Students study and perform representative brass literature. The course is open to all students who successfully complete an audition with the director. This course provides performance opportunities in concerts, churches, and community events. Members are required to participate in wind ensemble.

+ Brass Quintet
Brass Quintet performing outside on the Tab Lawn
+ OVERVIEW

Brass Quintet (MUSC 139) is open to all brass instrumentalists.

Students study and perform representative brass literature. The course is open to all students who successfully complete an audition with the director. This course provides performance opportunities in concerts, churches, and community events. Members are required to participate in wind ensemble.

Concert Band outdoor performance on Tab Lawn

Southwest Symphony Orchestra (MUSC 140) is directed by David Crane.  It is open to all string players by audition.

This ensemble is a regional orchestra that rehearses and performs on Trinity’s campus. Open to Trinity instrumentalists who successfully complete an audition with the director.

+ Southwest Symphony Orchestra
Concert Band outdoor performance on Tab Lawn
+ OVERVIEW

Southwest Symphony Orchestra (MUSC 140) is directed by David Crane.  It is open to all string players by audition.

This ensemble is a regional orchestra that rehearses and performs on Trinity’s campus. Open to Trinity instrumentalists who successfully complete an audition with the director.

Chamber Ensemble performance

Chamber Music Ensemble (MUSC 142) is directed by Dr. Minkyoo Shin.  It is open to all instrumentalists, with a particular focus on strings and piano.

An ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of chamber music literature. MUSC 142 is required each semester for students receiving a music leadership scholarship for strings, piano, or organ. The ensemble, however, is open to all instrumentalists and to singers. Membership is by audition with the instructor.

+ Chamber Music Ensemble
Chamber Ensemble performance
+ OVERVIEW

Chamber Music Ensemble (MUSC 142) is directed by Dr. Minkyoo Shin.  It is open to all instrumentalists, with a particular focus on strings and piano.

An ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of chamber music literature. MUSC 142 is required each semester for students receiving a music leadership scholarship for strings, piano, or organ. The ensemble, however, is open to all instrumentalists and to singers. Membership is by audition with the instructor.

Trinity has some instruments available for students to borrow for use in ensembles. If you are interested in playing in an ensemble but do not have your own instrument, please contact music department coordinator, Lena Smith.

Contact a Professor

For more information about Music Ensembles or Music Leadership Scholarships, please contact the appropriate director: