Music Ensembles

Wind Ensemble (UMWE) is under the direction of Associate Director of Bands Andrea Brown and performs works from the most respected repertoire written for wind band with a focus on highlighting women composers and composers of color. The Wind Ensemble is composed primarily of music majors, but often incorporates non-majors who want to be involved in music in a serious way. The group usually performs two to three concerts each semester and requires outside practice. For more information contact umdbands@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Mon, Wed & Fri at 11 a.m.

University Band (UBand) is designed for non-music majors who want to keep music a part of their university experience in an environment that demands less time commitment. The University Band plays two to three concerts per semester, and is directed by Craig Potter, Assistant Director of Bands. For more information contact umdbands@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Wed at 6:30 p.m.

Students interested in participating in a School of Music Orchestra must complete an audition to be considered and placed into one of the orchestras. For questions about auditions and the orchestral program, please contact Mark Wakefield, instrumental ensembles manager at mwake@umd.edu. Those interested in auditioning, should fill out the Non-Music Major Ensemble Information Form. 

University Orchestra (UOrch) is the primary orchestra for non-music majors across the UMD campus who play an orchestral instrument. It performs four concerts per year. The course is led/conducted by graduate conducting students under the supervision of David Neely, Director of Orchestral Activities. People interested in participating in the University Orchestra will be required to take an informal playing audition. For more information contact uorch@umd.edu. 

Rehearsal: Mon & Wed at 3 p.m.

Symphony Orchestra (UMSO) is the primary orchestra for UMD music majors at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as music minors. The orchestra performs six concerts per year and plays for the Maryland Opera Studio spring production. Highly-qualified non-music majors may be eligible on a case-by-case basis by audition. For more information contact umso@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Tue & Thu at 6:30 p.m.

UMD Jazz Lab Band  is a group of jazz studies and music majors and minors.  An occasional exception for a non-major participant may be considered. For more information contact mwill81@umd.edu. 

Rehearsal: Mon & Wed at 1 p.m.

UMD University Jazz Band (UJB) is an ensemble of students from across campus, as well as jazz studies and other music majors/minors.  This is the primary group for all non-majors interested in auditioning for a jazz ensemble. For more information contact mwill81@umd.edu. 

Rehearsal: Mon at 7:30 p.m.

UMD Chamber Singers is under the direction of Director of Choral Activities Jason Max Ferdinand and is our most select choral ensemble. It specializes in music from the Renaissance, Baroque and contemporary eras. For more information contact umchoirs@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Mon & Wed at 3 p.m. / Tue & Thu at 3:30 p.m.

University Chorale is a mixed ensemble singing music from all periods. For more information contact umchoirs@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Tue & Thu at 4:30 p.m.

UMD Treble Choir performs exciting literature for soprano and alto voices. For more information contact umchoirs@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Mon, Wed & Fri at 12 p.m. 

Maryland Gospel Choir is committed to encouraging fellowship and community service, and is composed of gospel music lovers across campus. Fill out the Maryland Gospel Choir contact form for more details.

Tactus is the popular ensemble for tenor/bass voices with repertoire spanning classical to contemporary. For more information contact umchoirs@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Mon, Wed & Fri at 12 p.m.

Voix de Chanson is a student-led treble chamber vocal ensemble. For more information contact umchoirs@umd.edu.

FreundeMusik is a student-led tenor-bass chamber vocal ensemble. For more information contact umchoirs@umd.edu.

UMD Balinese Gamelan Saraswati - Under the direction of I Nyoman Suadin, the ensemble includes students from the School of Music and beyond. The ensemble takes its name from Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and the arts. The gong kebyar style instruments, which were acquired in 2001, were built by I Wayan Beratha, a leading instrument maker, composer, performer and teacher in Bali. There are two public performances each year. For more information contact jmaytum@umd.edu.

UMD Japanese Koto Ensemble - Under the direction of Yuriko Gandolfo, the ensemble is made up of both graduate and undergraduate students. Koto courses are designed to allow students to experience Japanese cultural aesthetics as exemplified in the traditions of koto and shakuhachi music. Other instructional activities have included lectures and discussions, Japanese dining and viewing of films and live performances presented by professional musicians. For more information contact jmaytum@umd.edu.

UMD Korean Percussion Ensemble - Formed in 2009 under the direction of Sebastian Wang, the ensemble is one of the first of its kind in the United States. The ensemble learns and performs Korean percussion music from traditional p'ungmul farmers' bands music and contemporary samulnori pieces. Samulnori is a modern incarnation of traditional Korean folk music that celebrates harvest time and provides a lively soundtrack to dancing. The ensemble is comprised of four types of percussion instruments — an hourglass drum, a barrel drum, a small gong and a large gong, each representing a natural element: rain, clouds, lightning and wind, respectively. For more information contact jmaytum@umd.edu.

UMD Steelbands (beginning and advanced) - These ensembles are focused on the steelband traditions of Trinidad and Tobago and include steelpan instruments and engine room (drum set, congas, cowbell, guiro, brake drum, etc.) Founded in 2024 under the direction of Dr. Josanne Francis, the ensembles learn and perform music utilizing both traditional and non-traditional steelpan teaching methods. Both steelbands are open to all UMD students. Reading Western European sheet music is not a prerequisite for beginning steelband but is a useful skill for advanced steelband. For more information contact jmaytum@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: (Beginning) Tue, 5:30-7 p.m. (Advanced) Tue, 7-8:30 p.m.

Maryland Pep Band performs at all home Men & Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball games. Under the direction of Assistant Director of Bands Craig Potter, the ensemble is open to all University of Maryland students with experience on woodwind/brass instruments, bass guitar, and drum set. For more information contact umdbands@umd.edu.

Rehearsal: Mon at 7 p.m.

Spring Drumline  is open to student musicians of any major and with any level of percussion experience. Students develop fundamental skills playing marching percussion instruments.The group performs at Maryland Day and other spring semester events. For more information contact umdbands@umd.edu.

Rehearsal spring semester only: Thu at 6:30 p.m. 

Spring Color Guard is open to students of any major and with any to none color guard or movement experience. Students develop color guard fundamental skills and have the opportunity to create choreography. The group performs at Maryland Day and other spring semester events. For more information contact umdbands@umd.edu.

Rehearsal spring semester only: Tue at 6:30 p.m.

“Mighty Sound of Maryland” Marching Band performs at all home UMD Football games and various on and off campus events. The class is open to student musicians, dancers, color guard performers and twirlers of all majors. For more information visit https://umdbands.com/mighty.

Rehearsal: Mon, Wed & Fri at 3 p.m. / Tu at 6:30 p.m.