Ensemble Opportunities

Faculty Lead: Professor Sean McCollough

The Appalachian String Band performs bluegrass and other acoustic Americana styles. Open to all students with basic proficiency on their instrument, the ensemble welcomes fiddles (violins), banjos, guitars, mandolins, upright basses, dobros, and voice, with consideration given to other stringed instruments as space allows. No prior experience in these genres is required. One performance is mandatory each semester, with additional opportunities often available. An audition is required. All skill levels are encouraged to apply; placement is based on instrumentation needs and ability. When possible, the group may split into multiple bands.

Concert Band, Pride of the Southland Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble

Faculty Lead: John Zastoupil

Founded in 1869 – the third oldest collegiate band program in the country – the University of Tennessee Bands is among the most distinguished, historic, and comprehensive band programs worldwide. UT Bands builds upon the legacy of its alumni through exceptional and innovative musical experiences, while honoring its rich traditions. UT Bands strives to provide an environment promoting musical performances of the highest quality, fostering refined music making and music learning from the concert hall to Neyland Stadium and across the globe. 

Explore the UT Bands website to discover the rich history and learn about its ensembles, events, faculty, and staff members, or enjoy the sights and sounds of The Pride of the Southland Marching Band.

Learn more about UT Bands

Faculty Lead: Jonathan Adams

Experience the rich musical traditions of Bali through UT’s semar pegulingan ensemble — a rare, seven-tone Balinese gamelan featuring bronze-keyed instruments, gongs, drums, flutes, and more. Open to all students, this hands-on ensemble offers an immersive introduction to the music, culture, and community of Balinese performance. No prior experience with gamelan or music is required.

Rehearsals are held Thursdays at 4:30 PM during the fall and spring semesters. Students may enroll for credit (MUEN 312/512), and visitors are welcome to drop in.

Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, Men’s Chorale, UT Singers, Women’s Chorale

Faculty Lead: Angela Batey

Whether you’re an experienced vocalist or new to choral singing, UT’s choral ensembles offer a welcoming and inspiring place to grow. Open to all students regardless of major or background, our choirs provide the chance to explore a wide range of repertoire, earn course credit, and connect with a vibrant musical community. Join us and experience the joy of making music through the power of collective voice.

Learn about Choral Ensembles

Faculty Lead: Jorge Variego

The Electroacoustic Ensemble blends music, technology, and performance in a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting. Open to students from all backgrounds, the group focuses on designing instruments, experimenting with sound, and creating original works that push the boundaries of live performance.

Now offered as a chamber music class, the ensemble has performed at events like the Electro-Music Festival (NY), Big Ears Festival, and the ISIM International Conference. It also released its first student-produced album, Vantablack, as part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and outreach.

Faculty Lead: Maria Castillo

The UT Flute Ensemble offers flutists the opportunity to explore a wide range of repertoire, from classical works to contemporary arrangements, while developing ensemble skills in a supportive, collaborative setting.

Faculty Lead: Katie Johnson-Webb

The UT Horn Choir brings together all members of the university’s Horn Studio to explore a wide range of repertoire, from quartets to full horn choir works. The ensemble regularly performs at regional and international horn workshops, tours throughout the Southeast, and appears at special events on campus and in the community.

Group size varies each year, allowing for a wide range of programming and a rich, flexible performance experience. Open to horn students enrolled in applied lessons.

Jazz Big Band, Small Jazz Ensembles

Faculty Lead: Keith Brown

UT’s jazz program offers students dynamic ensemble experiences focused on improvisation, collaboration, and performance. From small faculty-coached combos to the flagship Big Band directed by Keith Brown, students perform a wide range of repertoire including jazz standards, bebop, contemporary works, and original music by students and faculty.

Jazz ensembles perform regularly on campus and throughout the region, often sharing the stage with renowned guest artists. Recent collaborators include Frank Foster, John Clayton, Marvin Stamm, Michael Dease, and Terell Stafford. These ensembles prepare students for the diverse and evolving demands of today’s creative jazz musician.

Faculty Lead: Kevin Class

The University of Tennessee Opera Theatre is a comprehensive artist-training program designed to help you grow into a confident, expressive, and well-rounded performer. As a member of Opera Theatre, you’ll build a strong technical foundation while developing skills in acting, movement, diction, stagecraft, and career preparation, all within a supportive and creatively rich environment.

Learn more about Opera Theatre

Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra

Faculty Lead: James Fellenbaum

The University of Tennessee Orchestra Program offers a rich and versatile performance experience through multiple ensembles and frequent concerts each year. Open to music majors and other skilled instrumentalists, the program provides opportunities to explore a broad range of orchestral literature, from classical masterworks to contemporary compositions.

The 70-member UT Symphony Orchestra (UTSO) performs major works from the 18th century to today, including symphonies, concertos, and choral-orchestral collaborations featuring UT faculty and renowned guest artists. Students may also participate in the Chamber Orchestra, which focuses on works for smaller ensembles, and the Contemporary Music Ensemble, dedicated to music written since 1950. Orchestra members also perform in full-scale productions with the UT Opera Theatre each year.

Learn about the Orchestras

Information coming soon! Contact Professor Evie Chen for more information.

UT Percussion Ensemble, African Diasporic Percussion Ensemble

Faculty Lead: Andrew Bliss

Percussion ensembles at the University of Tennessee provide students with immersive training as performers, composers, and improvisers, while building community through collaboration and innovation. From chamber settings to large-scale productions, these ensembles showcase the full creative range of drumming and percussion traditions.

Learn about Percussion Ensembles at UT

Faculty Lead: Denin Slage-Koch

One of the newest ensembles at UTK, the R&B ensemble preserves the rich tradition of African-American popular music through study and performance. Repertoire includes music by artists such a Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, The Meters, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sly and the Family Stone, and more. Auditions are held each fall during the first week of classes and the ensemble performs regularly.

Please contact Professor Denin Slage-Koch for more information and to sign up for an audition!

Faculty Lead: Allison Adams

Performing at studio recitals and special events, the UT saxophone ensemble consists of the entire classical saxophone studio. Directed by Professor Adams, this ensemble presents an eclectic mix of original and transcribed works for saxophone ensemble.

Faculty Lead: Alex van Duuren

The UT Trombone Choir is one of the College of Music’s most storied ensembles, celebrating over 50 years of rich musical tradition and excellence. Under the direction of Professor Alex van Duuren, the ensemble performs a wide range of repertoire, from classic arrangements to contemporary works, and regularly travels for regional outreach, national conferences, and professional engagements.

Members of the choir serve as ambassadors for the College, showcasing the power and versatility of the trombone in both educational and high-profile performance settings.

Faculty Lead: Arthur Zanin

The UT Trumpet Ensemble brings together music performance and music education majors to explore the full range of trumpet ensemble techniques and repertoire. The group performs regularly at studio recitals, local events, and area schools, with additional opportunities to participate in competitions and professional conferences.

Non-majors and music minors are welcome to audition and join this collaborative, high-energy ensemble.

Faculty Lead: Alexander Lapins

The UT Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble (UTTEE) offers students the chance to step out of the traditional “back row” and into the spotlight. Open to music majors, minors, and elective music students by audition, the ensemble explores a wide range of repertoire that highlights both melodic and ensemble playing.

UTTEE has performed at regional, national, and international conferences, and appears regularly on campus and throughout Tennessee. Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to contact Professor Lapins to learn more or schedule an audition.

Faculty Lead: Vic Chavez

Founded in 2013, the UTKlarinettenchor is a vibrant chamber-style clarinet ensemble open to both majors and non-majors. Members develop performance and leadership skills in a supportive environment while gaining hands-on experience with auxiliary instruments.

The ensemble performs regularly across campus and throughout the region, including appearances at the Tennessee Music Educators Association conference and the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest. UTKlarinettenchor also leads outreach events such as the annual Single Reed Day Honor Invitational, engaging over 130 high school students each spring. Rehearsals are held Monday evenings during the spring semester.

Come be part of the Tennessee Clarinet Tradition!