Ensembles
Performing Arts Department | Music

The Fort Lewis College Symphonic Band is one of Colorado's premiere bands directed by Justin Hubbard, Director of Bands. The Symphonic Band is an open enrollment ensemble representing students from a variety of majors across campus.

Our mission is to provide all students the opportunity to pursue musical activities of the highest possible performance level.

The ensemble’s repertoire ranges from traditional band works to more modern compositions. The band has appeared at numerous regional and state conventions.

We invite you to be a part of our long tradition of excellence.

Recent Collaborations

• Julie Giroux
• Samuel Hazo
• Jack Stamp
• Eric Ewazen
• Stephen Melillo
• Quincy Hilliard

For more information, email Justin.

The Fort Lewis College Jazz Ensemble, is the College's jazz group performing several concerts each semester on- and off- campus. The ensemble performs a variety of styles associated with the jazz idiom. Literature ranges from standards to modern works composed and arranged by local and national composers.

The Jazz Ensemble is the featured group performing at the annual Fort Lewis College Jazz Festival each winter term.

Recent Guest Artist Collaborations

• Stefan Karlsson Trio
• Christian McBride
• Dave Samuels
• Scotty Barnhart
• Tim Ries
• John Fedchock
• Brad Goode
• Alex Acuña
• Chris Vadala
• Bruce Paulson
• John Scofield

The Percussion Ensemble offers chamber music experiences for FLC students. The ensemble is open to all students through audition. Percussion studies majors are required to perform in the percussion ensemble. The ensemble performs traditional percussion ensemble literature, music of different cultures, and arrangements of jazz and pop tunes. Students also have the opportunity to solo in different ensemble settings.

Percussionists who wish to gain more experience in keyboard percussion performance can also participate in the Mallet Keyboard Ensemble. This is a separate class that focuses on keyboard percussion instrument performance.

San Juan Symphony

The San Juan Symphony is a regional orchestra comprised of FLC students and faculty, community players, and other area professional players. This is the premier large ensemble opportunity for string students to work alongside professional players to learn and perform major orchestral repertoire. The ensemble mission is to unite the Four Corners area by nurturing the art of music through education and high quality performances that touch the soul. Membership is by audition.

San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestras

The San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestras (SJSYO) mission is to provide an inspiring orchestral experience for the youth of Durango, Bayfield, Farmington, Pagosa Springs, Cortez and surrounding areas, while further enriching the arts communities of the Four Corners.

SJSYO is the only youth symphony organization in the Four Corners area, and its members receive an exceptional educational experience under the guidance of the region's finest musical performers and educators.

SJSYO maintains a strong connection with the area's school music programs, Fort Lewis College, and cultural institutions such as 3rd Ave. Arts and Music in the Mountains. SJSYO is open to all Four Corners area elementary school, middle school, high school, home-school, and Fort Lewis College students on an audition basis.

FLC Chamber Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra is comprised of Fort Lewis College’s most advanced string players. It is a small string orchestra designed to teach students chamber music skills, and familiarize its members with the standard chamber orchestra repertoire.

The following select ensembles provide the opportunity to study and perform literature for a wide range of specific instrumentations. Admission is by audition, and musicians participate in several on-campus performances as well as clinics/concerts in schools and community venues throughout the region.

• Flute Ensemble
• Clarinet Choir
• Saxophone Quartet
• Woodwind Quintet
• Horn Quartet
• Brass Ensemble
• String Ensemble
• Baroque Ensemble

Concert Choir (MU 105/305) is the largest choir on campus (approximately 75-100 singers) and does not require an audition to participate.

Anyone can enroll in Concert Choir; majoring in music is not required. Approximately 50% of the choir comprises non-music majors, from first-year students through seniors. All you need to do is enroll in the course, and singers will be placed according to voice type after the semester begins.

Concert Choir performs various musical styles and presents four concerts each year. Members are eligible to join with all other Fort Lewis Choirs on international performance tours, the most recent one was to the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany in May of 2018.

Chamber Choir (MU 106/306) is a highly select mixed ensemble (approximately 30 voices). Students must audition to participate in this choir. Auditions typically take place in the first two days of each semester. The group performs a variety of music, concentrating generally on advanced choral works written for chamber ensembles. The audition process requires a prepared solo piece, melodic and rhythmic sight reading, and vocalization. Singers should be able to sing well in tune, have a flexible and expressive singing voice, and have some knowledge of music reading.

Men’s Choir (MU 300) is a select group of tenors and basses. Music majors, music minors, non-music majors, and occasionally community members are encouraged to audition, continuing the American tradition of singing men for over twenty-five years.

The Men’s Choir has a busy performance schedule, and part of its mission is to encourage singing among young and school-aged males by setting an excellent example of the beautiful-sounding blend of lower voices.

Women’s Choir (MU 307) is a select group of treble voices. The women’s choir performs moderate to advanced repertoire in the tradition of female choirs, from serious classical selections to light novelty pieces.

The Women’s Choir also provides an opportunity for women to come together and discuss issues facing gender roles in modern society, and provides an area of support and friendship among students looking for a social outlet. Audition is required.

Hawkappella, Fort Lewis College’s “pop” choral ensemble, is a highly select a cappella choir comprised of about 16 singers. The group performs modern popular music often with a beat-box (vocal percussion) and some choreography.

Students interested in auditioning for this ensemble should prepare an unaccompanied vocal solo in the pop, jazz, or musical theatre style, and be prepared to do some simple sight reading and aural testing.  Singers chosen for this ensemble will be outstanding soloists, but also able to work well in a vocal ensemble setting.

Scenes from the Musical Stage (MU 139/339) meets Wednesdays from 3:35-6:00 every fall semester. Students in the course study and perform fully staged ensemble scenes from the musical theatre, opera, and operetta repertoire.

Student performers have opportunities to sing in the community and area schools, as well as on the FLC campus. Scenes from the Musical Stage is open to all FLC students by audition.