Thinking about where to take your musical journey next? Look no further than SWOSU Department of Music. Here, it’s not just about joining an ensemble; it’s about finding a musical family. From band and choir to jazz and musical theater, we’ve got a vibrant variety of opportunities to suit your unique interests and talents. And you don’t have to be a music major to join us!
From our very own campus stages to venues throughout the region, SWOSU ensembles consistently deliver outstanding performances, earning state and national distinctions. Explore more information about our ensembles below and get in touch to embark on your musical journey with SWOSU.
Bands
To inquire about membership in any of the bands at SWOSU, contact Dr. Robert Pippin.
Wind Symphony
The Wind Symphony, featuring the university's premier wind and percussion talent, is formed through a rigorous audition process each fall. It showcases diverse repertoire from various eras, but primarily focuses on compositions originally written for wind instruments. Their exceptional performances have earned them invitations to esteemed off-campus events. Notably, the ensemble has earned several invitations, through a blind audition process, to perform as one of the two university honor bands at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Conventions in Tulsa. The Wind Symphony meets five times a week, from 11 to 11:50 a.m., throughout the spring semester.
Symphonic Band
Looking for an ensemble that doesn't require an audition and still offers the full musical experience? Join our Symphonic Band! Meeting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12 to 12:50 p.m. during the Spring semester, this group brings to life a mix of traditional band music, innovative new works, and captivating transcriptions.
The Pride of the Great Southwest
Infuse spirit and energy into SWOSU's fall football games as a member of The Pride of the Great Southwest, our iconic marching band. This ensemble is renowned for its dynamic corps-style drills and powerful musical performances. The band rehearses five days per week, 12 to 12:50 p.m., during the fall semester.
Wild Dawgs
Basketball season at SWOSU has its own rhythm, thanks to the Wild Dawgs pep band. By delivering electrifying performances at men's and women's home basketball games, they ensure our teams have that unmatched home-court advantage. Feel the thrill and energy of each game as you join this energetic ensemble!
Chamber Ensembles
Woodwind Ensemble
Join us to perform a variety of repertoire for large and small woodwind ensembles ranging from flute choir and saxophone quartet to woodwind trios. Ensembles meet two hours weekly but scheduling is flexible.
Brass Choir
Engage in an ensemble that explores both larger brass choir soundscapes and more intimate brass chamber pieces. Brass choir rehearses Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 3:50 p.m.
Percussion Ensemble
Explore rhythmic energy of our Percussion Ensemble. Meeting every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 4:50 p.m., this group explores a broad range of pieces for both small and large percussion ensemble.
Piano Ensemble
Led by dedicated faculty, piano ensembles rehearsal three times weekly, exploring and mastering a diverse range of chamber music pieces.
Guitar Ensemble
Experience the wide world of our Guitar Chamber Ensemble. Under the guidance of our esteemed guitar faculty, guitarists collaboratively delve into both classical and modern ensemble works, showcasing the versatility of the instrument.
Contact
Please contact the Music Office for more information concerning participation in these ensembles, 580.774.3708.
Solo Performance and Choral Ensembles
To inquire about membership in any of the vocal groups at SWOSU, please contact Dr. Daniel Farris, at daniel.farris@swosu.edu or 580.774.3208.
Vocal ensemble opportunities include:
- Southwestern Singers
- Chamber Choir
- Weatherford Community Chorus
- Opera Workshop
- Musical Theater
Students of all majors are invited to audition. Please contact Dr. Farris for more information about auditioning.
Southwestern Singers
Step into the dynamic world of Southwestern Singers, SWOSU's premier choral ensemble. Southwestern Singers performs a variety of repertoire, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Beyond the campus, their voices have echoed in iconic locations like the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the American Choral Directors Association conference, and the Oklahoma Music Educator’s Convention. SW Singers rehearses M-F, 1:00-1:50 pm.
Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is an 8-15 voice ensemble that is selected through audition. The ensemble meets Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-3:50pm. Information concerning auditions for Chamber Choir is available by contacting Dr. Daniel Farris. Chamber Choir has performed at OkMEA conferences and in 2022 the SWOSU Chamber Choir traveled to Florence, Italy to compete and learn with choirs from around the world in the Leonardo da Vinci competition, earning accolades of “best chamber group” and first prize for their performance of Italian language repertoire.
Community Choir
The Weatherford Community Chorus is open to members of the Western Oklahoma community and SWOSU students. No audition is required, and they meet Monday nights from 7:20-9:00 PM. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel Farris at 580.774.3208.
Opera Workshop & Musical Theater
Opera Workshop gives students the opportunity to perform full scale operatic productions and opera scenes. Musical Theater productions take place in alternating years in conjunction with the Hilltop Theater. Contact us for more information about auditions and upcoming productions.
SW Singers and Chamber Choir Auditions
Auditions for the Southwestern Singers and Chamber Choir are held during the first three days of classes each semester. Students will be asked to prepare Greensleeves, America the Beautiful, or the Star-Spangled Banner for their audition (sung in a comfortable key for the singer’s range). Practicing basic interval exercises would also be useful. Copies of these examples are found below:
Auditions consist of vocalizing to hear the singer’s natural, comfortable range; reading through a choral score; and finally, singing a prepared work from the above list.
What Will I Do in the Audition?
The audition consists of vocalizing to hear the singer’s natural, comfortable range; reading through a choral score to see how quickly the singer can learn his/her part; and finally, singing a prepared work from the above list.
What Happens After the Audition?
Based on the audition and the particular needs of the ensemble, the rosters of the Chamber Choir and Southwestern Singers will be posted.
Who Are SWOSU Choirs?
The choral organizations of Southwestern Oklahoma State University have demonstrated continuous success at state conventions in the past ten years. Over the years, various choral ensembles have performed at the Oklahoma Music Educator Association conference in Tulsa, Chamber Choir being the most recent (2011). The choirs tour various parts of Oklahoma every year. Southwestern Singers has sung at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., appeared at the Southwestern Division conference of the American Choral Directors Association, and at the OMEA Conference. The rehearsals for Southwestern Singers are MTWRF from 1:00 – 1:50 pm. Chamber Choir meets MTR from 3:00 – 3:50 pm, and Community Chorus meets Monday nights from 7 – 9 pm.
What About Joining the Other Choirs?
The Chamber Choir is approximately a 16-24 voice ensemble that is selected through audition by Dr. Daniel Farris, and they meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-3:50pm. Information concerning auditions for Chamber Choir is available by contacting Dr. Daniel Farris. Under Dr. Farris’s direction, this choir performed at the 2011 OMEA conference.
The Weatherford Community Chorus is open to members of the Western Oklahoma community and SWOSU students. No audition is required, and they meet Monday nights from 7:20-9:00 PM. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel Farris at 580.774.3208.
Are Only Music Majors Allowed in the Choirs?
Not at all -- the SWOSU choirs are open to students from all majors on campus. More than half the enrollment of the choirs is usually students who are not vocal primary music majors. Singing is a great way to meet people from various departments and to work together as a team to inspire each other and our audiences through quality choral performance. All students must enroll for credit in order to be in the choirs. This is a graded course and does count towards the student’s overall grade point average.
Still Unsure?
Come during the semester to hear the groups and even sit in with a rehearsal. We think you will find it a great experience and will want to join us for a great year of choral singing.
Solo Performance Opportunities
Students may audition for opera workshop, musical theater productions, regional and state level auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and choral solos. Dr. Kristin Griffeath, assistant professor of voice, is the head director of Opera Workshop, and Dr. Robin Griffeath and Dr. Farris co-teach this course with her. Contact one of them regarding these opportunities.
Jazz Ensemble “A” plays a wide variety of music ranging from standards to contemporary
charts. Jazz “A” also performs at many campus and community functions, including the
Weatherford Arts Festival and the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City. The group
regularly tours area high schools, attends jazz festivals and hosts the annual Southwestern
Oklahoma State University Jazz Festival on the second Friday of each February.
The annual SWOSU Jazz Festival hosts internationally renowned guest artists from around the country and world each February.
For more information regarding the Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival, please visit the official Jazz Festival site.
Auditions for membership in Jazz Ensemble “A” are open to any student in the University regardless of their major field of study. Auditions are held on the first day of classes during of 1st and 2nd semester. Audition details will be posted on the bulletin board across from the Music Office, Fine Arts 100, at least one week before the audition. The band rehearses from 2 - 2:50 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Jazz Ensemble “B” is a student big band for those students who wish to learn more about jazz and big-band playing. The group rehearses from 3 - 3:50 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday. Jazz Ensemble “B” audition is informal, but necessary to properly place each student.
To inquire about membership in any of the jazz groups at SWOSU, please contact Richard Tirk, 580.774 3772.
The SWOSU Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing the finest musical and educational
opportunities to individuals from the university and community. Musicians in the orchestra
are able to perform standard orchestral repertoire alongside SWOSU’s outstanding faculty
and renowned guest artists.
The ensemble presents a variety of musical elements in its programs. These elements include classical masterworks, pop themed symphonic works, contemporary symphonic works and solo concerto repertoire. The orchestra performs four to six concerts throughout the year, including the annual opera production, Christmas Collage concert and various collaborative concerts with the choral division.
Membership is open to all SWOSU students and community members who are interested in the enjoyment of playing in an orchestra. Please contact Dr. Alex Lee at alex.lee@swosu.edu for more information.