A student plays a steel pan during a steel band practice in the Kincaid Concert Hall.
Music

Ensembles

Make Music, Build Community: Join Western’s Ensembles & Events.

The Western Drumline with four bass players on and five snares

At Western, you don’t have to be a music major to get involved in the music community. Join ensembles like the Symphonic Band, Steel Band, Drumline, and Jazz Band to perform a variety of musical styles while collaborating with fellow musicians. Events like the Music Cruise and Music in the Park offer opportunities to share your passion with the broader community.

Western also offers music scholarships open to all students, regardless of major. Getting involved in musical clubs and performances enhances your college experience, helping you build friendships, gain performance experience, and deepen your love for music.

Western's Ensembles

Music Ensembles at Western are open to students of any major and community members. You can even earn a scholarship for participating! Contact the ensemble’s director or department chair for more information. These groups are for experienced musicians and may require a placement audition.

Symphonic Band

Open to experienced woodwind, brass, and percussion performers, this ensemble plays at on-campus concerts, All-Colorado Honor Band, and graduation.

Concert Choir

Open to vocalists of all types, this ensemble sings at on-campus concerts, Western Slope Choral Festival, and graduation.

Pep Band & Drumline

Be a part of Western’s exciting Athletic Bands initiative! The Pep Band and Drumline play at athletic events including football and basketball games.

Steel Band

The WCU Steel Band brings the sounds of the tropics to the Gunnison Valley! Traditional steel drums and percussion come together to play fun and funky concerts each semester.

Jazz Ensemble

Open to experienced wind players, pianists, guitarists, bassists, and percussionists, this group performs swing tunes, ballads, bossa nova and more.

Chamber Singers

Western’s elite a capella vocal ensemble performs concerts each semester alongside the Concert Choir. Auditions are required to join this group.

Percussion Ensemble

Open to experienced percussionists, this chamber ensemble performs ambitious contemporary repertoire.

Contemporary Ensemble

This pop-oriented group plays concerts in the Gunnison Valley and is open to a variety of vocalists and instrumentalists.

Perform, Connect, and Grow at Western

Getting involved in Western’s music community is an opportunity to build performance experience, collaborate with fellow musicians, and share your passion with the broader community. Whether you’re majoring in music or just love to play, there are plenty of ways to participate.

Perform in a Variety of Ensembles
Engage with the Community
Enhance Your Musical Skills
Access Music Scholarships
Build Lifelong Connections

Perform in a Variety of Ensembles

Join groups like the Symphonic Band, Steel Band, Drumline, and Jazz Band, where you’ll explore different musical styles and refine your performance skills.

Engage with the Community

Events like the Music Cruise and Music in the Park give you a platform to perform live, connect with audiences, and contribute to Western’s vibrant arts scene.

A full house at the Holiday Gala in Kincaid Concert Hall

Enhance Your Musical Skills

Playing in ensembles helps you grow as a musician, improving technique, stage presence, and ensemble collaboration—skills that are valuable whether you’re pursuing music professionally or as a lifelong passion.

Access Music Scholarships

Western offers music scholarships to students of all majors, making it easy to continue your musical journey while pursuing any field of study.

A student plays the saxophone during practice with the jazz band in Kincaid Concert Hall.

Build Lifelong Connections

By joining Western’s music ensembles, you’ll become part of a supportive, creative community that fosters friendships, mentorship, and collaboration.

Group photo of the Western Jazz Band after a performance at The Almont.

Performances & Experiences

Department News

  • A Caribbean Vibe in Colorado

    A Caribbean Vibe in Colorado

    Western’s Steel Band to Play at Colorado Music Educators Association Conference in January Nothing warms the spirit on a cold winter night like the sound…
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  • Pride Month, Tokenism, and Being Queer at Western

    Pride Month, Tokenism, and Being Queer at Western

    A Testimony from Natalie Edwards Pride Month Origins The first declaration of Pride Month was made in 1999 when President Clinton named June Gay and…
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  • Liberal Arts Programs at Western Provide Practical Job Skills

    Liberal Arts Programs at Western Provide Practical Job Skills

    When Western Colorado University was the first college established on the Western Slope in 1901, the primary dedication of the school was providing teacher preparation…
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  • Artists Showcase Their Resiliency During Annual Event

    Artists Showcase Their Resiliency During Annual Event

    For the second year, artists and art connoisseurs gathered at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts to celebrate Western Colorado University students in a…
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  • The Western Community Felt Through Music

    The Western Community Felt Through Music

    Western Colorado University’s dedication to community runs deep in the Music department’s faculty. Before Kenneth Todd was the department’s chair, orchestral director, and director of…
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  • Western’s Band Director Part of a Winning Team

    Western’s Band Director Part of a Winning Team

    Celebrating a Significant Success A Western Colorado University band director is celebrating success at the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships. Western’s Director of Bands and…
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  • Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

    Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

    Leadership and experiential learning projects are one of the core components of the Western Colorado University experience. With program-specific clubs, on-campus events, off-campus trips, and…
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  • Western to host annual Firemen’s Concerts

    Western to host annual Firemen’s Concerts

    The Department of Music at Western Colorado University will host the 68th Annual Firemen’s Concerts over the course of two weeks. The first set of…
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Students participating in the Damson Music Competition

Want to be part of the story?

At Western, students dive into hands-on learning that’s practical, impactful, and built for the real world. Check out the different schools and departments to get involved. 

Go to Music Department