Conductor: Tony Oliver
Rehearsals: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
The Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Percussion Ensemble is a chamber group that performs music specifically written for the percussion ensemble from 1930 to the present. The ensemble also performs various transcriptions and arrangements of music never imagined for percussion (but that we think sound pretty good).
The ensemble¡¯s crowd-pleasing concerts present a diverse mix of musical styles¡ªfrom light to serious to ¡°out there¡±¡ªand participants play traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments of all kinds. The group serves as a place of additional training for the percussionists in Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s larger ensembles, and as a percussive outlet to anyone on campus interested in percussion or percussion music.
The large percussion ensemble is open to any student without audition. Auditioned groups are selected from the larger group to play advanced literature as their desires or abilities allow.
The large group rehearses on average one hour per week, and performs two major concerts per year. In addition, the ensemble sometimes presents small outreach concerts to the community.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø's Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Michael Zemek, will embark on a performance tour March 20-23, 2026. The tour will kick off in Chicago, Ill., and then they will continue on to perform in Seattle, Wash., and Portland, Ore.
Fish, insects, elephants and the Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Choir all have their place in the natural world of sound, as explored by journalist Amy Martin ¡®95.
Violinist Becky Kia ¡¯87 actually said no the first two times Mannheim Steamroller came calling. But by 1990, she was ready. Kia accepted the invitation to join the ensemble¡¯s backup orchestra for its Christmas concerts in Omaha, and today she is a touring conductor and solo violinist.
The Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Jazz Ensemble will perform, directed by Dr. Joel Linscheid.
The Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Percussion Ensemble will perform, directed by Dr. Tony Oliver.
The Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Symphony Orchestra will perform.
