Ensembles

Bellarmine University offers a variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles that provide students with opportunities to develop their musical skills, collaborate with fellow musicians, and perform throughout the academic year.

Ensemble participation is open to music majors and students from other academic disciplines, with opportunities for faculty, staff, alumni, and community members in select groups. Audition requirements and eligibility vary by ensemble.

 

Instrumental Ensembles

 

Brass Ensemble

The Bellarmine Brass Ensemble performs music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods through contemporary compositions and arrangements. Students explore a variety of brass ensemble configurations, developing chamber music skills, musical independence, and collaborative performance techniques.

Director: Dr. Stacy Simpson

BUgrass

BUgrass explores American roots music through ensemble performance, emphasizing bluegrass and related acoustic musical traditions. Students develop skills in ensemble playing, rhythmic coordination, musical communication, and stylistic performance.

Director: Jane Halliday

Chamber Strings

Chamber Strings provides students with opportunities to explore the rich repertoire of chamber music for string instruments. Performing in small ensembles, students develop collaborative musicianship, ensemble communication, and stylistic understanding through works from the Baroque period to the present.

Director: Jane Halliday

Concert Band

The Bellarmine University Concert Band performs a diverse repertoire of traditional and contemporary wind band literature. Students develop instrumental technique, ensemble musicianship, and an understanding of major works for concert band.

Participation is open to music majors and qualified non-music majors, with opportunities for faculty, staff, and community musicians.

Director: Dr. Stacy Simpson

Jazz Ensembles

Bellarmine's Jazz Ensembles explore jazz and related contemporary musical styles through ensemble performance, improvisation, and collaborative music-making. Repertoire includes traditional and contemporary jazz, blues, funk, rock, soul, and other American popular music traditions.

Instrumentalists and vocalists develop skills in improvisation, rhythm, ensemble communication, and stylistic interpretation.

Director: Andy Oberhausen

Pep Band

The Bellarmine University Pep Band brings energy and school spirit to campus athletic events through performances of popular music, rock, funk, R&B, and traditional school songs. The ensemble performs at home basketball games and may accompany university athletic teams to postseason tournaments.

Membership is open to enrolled Bellarmine students and eligible alumni. Limited scholarship opportunities may be available.

Director: Dr. Stacy Simpson

Percussion Ensemble

The Bellarmine Percussion Ensemble explores a broad range of percussion literature, including traditional and contemporary works for multiple percussion instruments. Students develop ensemble coordination, rhythmic precision, musical expression, and experience with a variety of percussion techniques and instruments.

Director: Terry O'Mahoney

 

Vocal Ensembles

 

Bellarmine Oratorio Society

The Bellarmine Oratorio Society is a large choral ensemble dedicated to performing major choral works with orchestra, as well as a cappella repertoire. The ensemble brings together Bellarmine students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community to present significant works from the choral tradition.

Membership is available through audition.

Director: Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock

Chapel Music Ensemble

The Chapel Music Ensemble provides vocal and instrumental music for university liturgies, worship services, and special celebrations. Students develop their musical abilities while contributing to the spiritual and cultural life of the Bellarmine community.

Director: Denise Whittington

Lyric Theater

Bellarmine's Lyric Theater provides students with opportunities to explore musical theater and related vocal performance traditions. Through rehearsal, dramatic interpretation, and staged performance, students develop skills in singing, acting, character development, and collaborative theatrical production.

Director: Mark Kano

Schola Cantorum

Schola Cantorum is a select vocal chamber ensemble dedicated to the performance of advanced choral repertoire. The group explores music from the Renaissance through contemporary periods, emphasizing vocal technique, ensemble precision, musical expression, and stylistic interpretation.

Membership is by audition.

Director: Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock

Singing Knights

The Singing Knights is a university vocal ensemble providing students with opportunities to develop ensemble singing, vocal technique, and collaborative musicianship. The ensemble performs a variety of vocal repertoire and participates in university concerts and events throughout the academic year.

Director: Mason Rice

 

Ensemble Participation

 

Students interested in participating in a Bellarmine University music ensemble are encouraged to contact the Program Director for information about auditions, rehearsal schedules, course registration, and participation requirements.

Dr. Stacy Simpson  |  Email: ssimpson@bellarmine.edu

Program Director, Music
Bellarmine University