The Bel Canto ensemble is open to any treble singer (soprano or alto) at the University of Portland regardless of major. Each singer is asked to sing a placement audition to determine their preferred choral voice section.

The repertoire of our group is as varied as its membership. We sing in a wide mix of choral styles and genres that range from the Renaissance and into the 21st century. We present accompanied literature and also welcome opportunities to sing "a cappella." We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:30-3:50 in the Mago Hunt Recital Hall. Contact director Megan Elliott at elliottm@up.edu for any questions or to schedule an audition.

Bel Canto performs several times throughout the academic year, including our participation in the University of Portland's Advent Concert.

Director - Megan Elliott

Chamber ensembles are an important part of a student's musical development. UP is proud to offer many ensembles for talented musicians to choose from, including the following:

• Chamber Winds
• Chamber Singers
• String Quartet
• Brass Quintet
• Woodwind Quintet
• Flute Ensemble
• Jazz Combos
• Saxophone Quartet

For questions or more information, please contact Patrick Murphy.

The Jazz Ensemble and combos at the University of Portland are active music groups with high performing standards. Jazz Ensemble and combo members are not required to be music majors and are not required to be members of other performing groups or to take private lessons at the University. Students of all years are accepted, freshmen through graduate students. Admission to all jazz ensembles is determined through audition, although every effort is made to include all students with the desire to play. Auditions for the combos occur in conjunction with Jazz Ensemble auditions. Additionally, combos perform on concerts with the Jazz Ensemble. 

The Jazz Ensemble features a standard big band instrumentation of 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 5 trumpets, guitar, piano, bass, drums, percussion, and vocalist. This ensemble performs a variety of musical styles including, but not limited to, swing, various Latin styles, contemporary jazz, rock, and funk. Students are taught stylistic techniques for playing jazz and are encouraged to develop as improvisers.

Jazz combos typically range in size from about 4 - 8 musicians. These groups work to improve understanding of small group jazz performance, with an emphasis on developing personal musical style and improvisational ability. These groups perform for a variety of events on campus and throughout the city.

Jazz Ensemble Auditions

Auditions for placement in jazz ensembles are held on the first Tuesday and Thursday of the semester in the Mago Hunt Arts Center during the Jazz Ensemble rehearsal time (4:10 p.m. - 5:35 p.m.). After auditions, selected jazz combo participants will also need to enroll in MUS 447 C (Jazz Combo).

 For questions or more information, please contact Don Norton.

Welcome to the University of Portland Orchestra! Conducted by Dr. Rebekah Hanson the UPO is a full symphony orchestra open by audition to all students across campus, regardless of major. The ensemble is dedicated to exceptional performances of a wide variety of historical and contemporary orchestral literature, including works for string orchestra. Works for chorus and orchestra are performed in conjunction with the university choirs on a regular basis. An annual concerto competition open to all students provides opportunities for the winners to perform as guest-soloists with the ensemble.

Mission Statement:

The University of Portland Symphony Orchestra is an inclusive community of musicians seeking opportunities to inspire and enrich lives through engaging with a diverse selection of orchestral works. We encourage students to become leaders and life-long learners, giving them the tools to experience, explore, and expand their technical and musical skills.

Auditions:

Students interested in auditioning for the UPO should contact Dr. Rebekah Hanson for an audition appointment, or with any questions they may have.

Students interested in Pep Band may audition in October. Pep Band members are paid to play for home men's and women's basketball games and are an integral part of the game-day atmosphere. The band plays a wide variety of repertoire and travels with the teams each year to the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas. Players of the following instruments may audition: flute/piccolo, clarinet, saxophones, trumpet, horn/mellophone, trombone, euphonium, tuba, electric bass, and drum set.

For questions or more information, please contact Patrick Murphy. 

The University Singers is an auditioned, mixed choir open by audition to all students across campus, regardless of major, and is conducted by Dr. David De Lyser.  The choir rehearses MWF, 1:35–2:30 pm in the Buckley Center Auditorium.

The group performs 2-3 concerts per semester, and their repertoire spans the entire historical spectrum of choral music, from medieval motets to contemporary works by living composers.  The choir also collaborates with the University of Portland Orchestra to present large chorus and orchestra works, and also with other college, civic and high school choirs in the area.  In recent years the choir has toured to the Puget Sound area and the San Francisco Bay area.  

Auditions

Entering students are encouraged to enroll for MUS 444, and should contact Dr. De Lyser (delyser@up.edu) (503.943.7382) for an audition appointment, or with any questions they may have. Auditions are held during student orientation (usually the Sunday before classes begin).  Students can also join at the beginning of the Spring semester. 

The University of Portland Wind Symphony is committed to outstanding performance, the support of new music and composers for wind band, and collaborations with outstanding soloists and faculty members. The Wind Symphony consists of over 50 students and is open to all majors on campus. The band performs at least twice each semester and is conducted by Patrick Murphy. Highlights over the past few years include world, American, and regional premieres of works by such noted composers as Julie Giroux, Adam Gorb, Jonathan Newman, James Mobberley, Benjamin Taylor, Anthony O'Toole, and Boris Kozhevnikov.

Entering students are encouraged to enroll for MUS 443. Auditions for new students are held the day before classes begin for admission and chair placement. Students with four years of high school band experience typically have an adequate foundation to join the ensemble, but admission is also based upon balance considerations.