Performing Ensembles: Instrumental
The Pepperdine University Orchestra is an integral part of the Pepperdine University Department of Music Under the direction of Pierre Tang, the orchestra performs a range of classical and contemporary repertoire providing students the opportunity to perform great orchestral music in a positive environment while striving for the highest standards of excellence in performance. You do not have to be a music major to play in the orchestra. Members are a mix of the many Pepperdine majors including music, biology, business, communication, journalism, sociology, political science and art.
The orchestra performs a number of concerts throughout the year, including symphonic concerts, opera and musical theater. Soloists have included renowned faculty performers, as well as outstanding student soloists, chosen through the Thomas Osborn Concerto Competition, a rigorous competition held each January.
The University Orchestra has an exciting schedule lined up for this season that will challenge the student musicians who eagerly accept the opportunity to broaden their repertoire and to collaborate with professional artists. This new season will stir your musical senses by producing great live performances that combine celebrated guest artists with compelling music created by the most dynamic composers. All concerts are held at the wonderful Smothers Theater in the Ahmanson Fine Arts Center, Pepperdine's "Home for the Performing Arts".
The Pepperdine University Wind Ensemble, the newest performing ensemble at Pepperdine, is comprised of the most talented wind, brass and percussion students on the campus. Its repertoire ranges from traditional band literature, one-on-a part chamber works, world premieres, to contemporary works for wind band. The Wind Ensemble will rehearse year round, and is open to all University students through auditions. You do not have to be a music major to participate and students from all disciplines are invited to audition. This is an excellent opportunity to read the latest in concert band literature, perform with guest conductors and soloists, continue valuable high school musical training, and to further develop your talents in musical performance. Be part of the new tradition!
The Pepperdine Jazz Ensemble is made up of students and faculty from many different disciplines around the campus that have a passion and love of performing and learning about this great music. It provides students an opportunity to play the music of the swing era to the music of the big bands of today. Led by Vincent Trombetta, the band rehearses on Monday evenings and performs concerts both on and off campus throughout the year. These concerts always attract a large audience and give students an opportunity to develop skills essential for performance in the music world today.
Auditions are held during the first two classes each semester.
The Chamber Music Program is an integral part of the Department of Music. Students have the opportunity to be coached weekly in chamber music ensembles by members of the instrumental faculty. These ensembles perform the finest in string, woodwind, brass, guitar, and percussion ensemble literature, and perform each semester in public concerts.
The Guitar Program at Pepperdine University has flourished under the direction of Christopher Parkening, Distinguished Professor of Music and the Christopher Parkening Chair of Guitar since 2002. The Pepperdine University Guitar Ensemble is open to all guitar students enrolled in applied guitar or by permission of the instructor. Meeting Fall and Spring semesters once a week, the guitar ensemble performs works written for two or more guitars from diverse musical periods.
Under the direction of Dr. Hanks, this new music ensemble is dedicated to performing the music of contemporary composers, including our own composition students. Selected by audition, the Pickford Ensemble represents Pepperdine's finest student instrumentalists and singers.