Instrumental Ensembles

Symphonic Band

Dr. Ashley Shoupe, Conductor

Part assignment auditions for Symphonic Band are held at the beginning of each semester. Audition information is posted in the Department of Music on the 3rd and 5th floors of the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building. Symphonic Band meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:50 with sectionals Wednesday evenings. Symphonic performs two concerts each semester.

University Orchestra

Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester. Audition information is posted in the Department of Music, Doyle Fine Arts Building on the 3rd and 5th floors. The Symphony Orchestra meets on Monday from 6:30 to 8:30. Two to three concerts are given per semester. 

Racer Pep Band

Dr. Ashley Shoupe, Director

The Racer Pep Band starts meeting the last week in October each year. This is group offers paid positions. The salary for games will be $20 each ($40 for doubleheaders). The requirements for paid positions are as follows: a short audition and commitment to all games. All home games are open to anyone, and travel to MVC tournament and NCAA are also possibility for the paid positions.

Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Band

Dr. Todd Hill, Conductor

The jazz program at Murray State University is designed to present the highest level of performance in the idiom while providing a framework of strategies for the aspiring music educator. All types jazz are explored including swing, Latin and rock styles. The Big Bands are each made up of 5 saxophones, 4 to 5 trumpets, 4 to 5 trombones, piano, guitar, bass, drums and Latin percussion. Auditions for all instruments are held during the first week of the semester in the director's office. Drummers may audition in the Jazz or Percussion Suites, if arranged with the director. You may pick up audition materials for your instrument prior to, or during the first week of the semester at Dr. Hill's office (FA 518). Rhythm section members may be asked to play in specific combinations at the first full ensemble rehearsal.

Blue & Gold Jazz Combos

Dr. Todd Hill, Conductor

Combos are formed at the director's discretion and may include more non-traditional instrumentations. Auditions for all instruments are held during the first week of the semester in the director's office. Rhythm section members may be asked to play in specific combinations at the first full ensemble rehearsal.

Brass Choir

Dr. Todd M. French, Conductor

Founded in 1969, the Murray State University Brass Choir is a large brass chamber ensemble.  The MSU Brass Choir has become one of the elite chamber ensembles at Murray State University, and maintains a strong presence at state, regional, and international conferences. Consisting of 10-18 of the top brass players at MSU, the brass choir is dedicated to performing quality, large brass ensemble music at a high level while fostering a sense of musical community and musicianship.  The MSU Brass Choir performs a wide range of works, those of which are specifically written for brass, as well as arrangements of choral, orchestral, jazz, pop and show tunes.

Chamber Ensembles

Murray State University offers a wide variety of chamber ensembles. Two opportunities are the Brass Chamber Music and the Woodwind Chamber Recital Concerts. Each concert features like-instrument ensembles and mixed-instrument ensembles. The Murray State Percussion Ensemble is made up of percussion majors and minors. The Percussion studio provides diverse performing experiences.  Percussionists can perform in Mallet Music, a marimba and vibraphone focused concert, and the Percussion Ensemble Concert, a larger scale and instrumentally diverse event.