Instrumental Ensembles

Orchestras and Chamber Ensembles

Symphony Orchestra (MUSIC 3621):

Performs a broad repertory of orchestral works from Beethoven to the present.
Director: Chris Younghoon Kim
Meets: Wednesday 4:40 – 6:40 pm in B20 Lincoln Hall and Monday 4:40 – 6:15 pm in 101 Bailey Hall
Click here for more information.

Chamber Orchestra (MUSIC 4621):

Performs chamber orchestra works from the baroque period to the present.
Director: Chris Younghoon Kim
Meets: Tuesday 4:45 – 6:15 and Thursday 4:45 – 6:45 in 301 Barnes Hall
Click here for more information.

Chamber Music Ensembles (MUSIC 4651):

Works from duos to octets, for pianists, string, and wind players.
Coordinator: Miri Yampolsky
Times to be arranged

Cornell Baroque Orchestra (MUSIC 4651):

Orchestral music and chamber music from the baroque period (ca. 1600-1800) using restored antique instruments or replicas of instruments from the period as well as historically inspired playing techniques and styles. Baroque instruments and bows from Cornell’s instrument collection are freely available for interested students to borrow on a first-come-first-served, semesterly basis.
Advisor: Neal Zaslaw

Cornell Consort of Viols (MUSIC 4651):

Ever been curious about the viola da gamba (also known as the viol)? Picture a hybrid between a cello and a guitar! Easy to learn and fun to play, we meet once a week to enjoy playing music from the 16th-18th centuries. Beginning instruction is available by request. No prior experience necessary. Ability to read music notation required. Contact Zoe Weiss (zw36@cornell.edu).
Advisor: Neal Zaslaw

Wind Ensembles (CU Winds)

Click here for more information on the CU Winds website.

Wind Symphony (MUSIC 3631):

A large ensemble of woodwind, brass, and percussion players that performs a broad repertory.
Director: James Spinazzola
Meets: Tuesday 4:40-6:15 pm at Bailey Hall and Thursday 4:40-6:40 pm in B20 Lincoln Hall

Chamber Winds (MUSIC 4631):

Flexible instrumentation ensembles that perform original woodwind, brass, and percussion music.
Director: Juliana Pepinsky
Groups and times to be arranged

Jazz Ensembles

Click here for more information on the CU Jazz Ensembles website.

Jazz Ensemble (MUSIC 3615):

Performs classic and contemporary big band literature.
Director: Paul Merrill

Jazz Band (MUSIC 4615):

Performs classic and contemporary big band literature.
Director: Paul Merrill
Meets: Tuesday 4:40-6:40 pm in Lincoln B20 and Thursday 4:40-6:40 pm at Bailey Hall

Jazz Combos (MUSIC 4616):

Director: Paul Merrill
Groups and times to be arranged

World Music, Percussion & Improvisation Ensembles

Deixa Sambar (Music 3609):

Deixa Sambar performs several styles of samba, Brazil’s national music.  Members need not have prior background in music-making, but a good sense of rhythm is desirable.  Members include students as well as Ithaca community members, brasileiros as well as newcomers to Brazilian culture.  Rehearsals develop playing skills, with a deep emphasis on cultural understanding of this vital, community-based music.
Director: Steven Pond
Meets: Thursday 7:00 – 9:00 in Lincoln Hall B20

Gamelan Ensemble (MUSIC 3610):

Advanced performance on the Indonesian gamelan. Prerequisite: MUSIC 1341, previous experience playing in musical ensembles, or permission of instructor.
Director: Christopher J. Miller 
Meets: Monday 7:30 – 9:30 pm in B24 Lincoln Hall

Music Improvisation Ensemble (Music 3660):

The Music Improvisation Ensemble provides students with the opportunity to explore the elements of music from an improviser’s perspective.  Each session will focus on a different area of improvisation, including noise, graphic scores, conducted improvisation, free music, small and large group improvisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration with dance and film.  This ensemble is open to any level of musician.
Director: Annie Lewandowski
Meets: Wednesday 7:00 – 9:30 pm in Lincoln Hall B20
Click here for more information.

Steel Band (MUSIC 3613):

Performs traditional music from Trinidad for steel pans, including calypso and soca, as well as repertory expanding the boundaries of the instruments.
Director: Christopher J. Miller 
Meets: Wednesday 4:30 – 6:30 in 101 Bailey Hall

Cornell Percussion Ensemble (MUSIC 3634):

Performs in various combinations while exploring the breadth of the expanding percussion repertory.
Director: Mike Sparhuber
Meets: Monday 7:00 – 9:00 pm in Lincoln Hall B20

World Drum & Dance Ensemble (MUSIC 3612): 

The group studies traditional and evolving dance-drumming. No prior experience necessary.
Meets: Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00 pm in Lincoln Hall B20