Percussion Ensemble
The CMU Percussion Ensemble rehearses and performs exciting and challenging music in a variety of styles, including Western art music, African drumming, Cuban popular and folkloric styles, Brazilian samba, jazz, and popular music. The ensemble also provides the opportunity for members of the group interested in composition to write works to be rehearsed and performed in concert. The ensemble performed as one eight invited ensembles at the 2024 Edeta Arts Percussion Festival in Valencia, Spain. The ensemble is open to percussion music majors, as well as non-majors by audition.
Brass Quintet
The CMU Brass Quintet is comprised of the most experienced brass players who are usually music majors and hold the principal chairs in the Wind Symphony. The group performs a variety of musical styles from Renaissance to 20th century music, and from jazz to ragtime. They perform for numerous functions, both on and off campus, including community events, church functions, seasonal events and public school performances.
Woodwind Quintet
The CMU Woodwind Quintet is comprised of the most experienced woodwind students who are usually music majors and hold the principal chairs in the Wind Symphony. The Woodwind Quintet performs both on and off campus for numerous events.
Saxophone Quartet
The Colorado Mesa University Saxophone Quartet generally consists of music majors who are members of the Wind Symphony. The ensemble performs a wide variety of music in the classical and jazz styles, both on campus as well as in the community.
Clarinet Choir
The Colorado Mesa University Clarinet Choir consists of clarinet majors and non-music majors who are also members of the Wind Symphony. The ensemble performs a variety of music arranged for clarinet ensemble.
String Chamber Music
Playing in a chamber ensemble is required for string majors, encouraged for minors, and an option for anyone else interested who has experience and has auditioned. Chamber music is one of the most valuable mediums for string students to grow as musicians, as it mixes the best of both worlds: ensemble and solo playing.
Each year our students in the Strings Department are grouped into chamber groups after their orchestra audition. Advanced pianists are also welcome to play in an ensemble with instructor permission if there is availability. Ensembles range from trios to sextets, and have included anything from cello trios, string quartets, piano quintets, and more. Students perform a variety of works from baroque, classical, romantic, modern, postmodern, and non-classical styles representing a diverse range of composers. Each ensemble rehearses at least one hour a week and is coached by string faculty one hour a week. There are multiple performing opportunities, including CMU string concerts and the CMU Chamber Music concert at the end of each semester.
Tentative: String Scholarship - Starting Fall 2025, violin, viola, and cello students will be able to audition for the Scholarship String Quartet, our most advanced chamber ensemble that rehearses at least twice a week and will get extra performance opportunities, including recruitment, outreach, and special events. Some performances will take place outside CMU in the greater Western Slope Area. There are four positions (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello) for the String Quartet, and each student will receive an additional scholarship of $1000 annually.
