Regardless of your instrument or your major, there is a place for you in the Hanover College Instrumental Music Program. We want you to join us! Participation in one or more of our instrumental ensembles provides an opportunity for you to continue making music, earn academic credit and find a musical home here at Hanover.
CONCERT BAND
The Hanover Concert Band is the core wind and percussion ensemble at Hanover College. This group is devoted to the preparation and performance of traditional and contemporary concert band literature. All woodwind, brass and percussion players are welcome to join this ensemble. Auditions are held at the beginning of the fall semester. The Concert Band meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-4:50 p.m., and Thursdays from 4:10-5:00 p.m. during the fall and winter semesters.
SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
The Hanover College Saxophone Ensemble is the current chamber music offering at the College. This group plays arrangements of both classical and popular music. All saxophone players, or any woodwind player who wishes to learn a secondary instrument, are welcome to join this special ensemble. The Saxophone Ensemble meets on Tuesdays from 4:10-5:30 p.m.
ORCHESTRA
The Hanover College-Community Orchestra is devoted to the preparation and performance of traditional and recent orchestral repertoire. All violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute and bassoon players are welcome to join this ensemble. The ensemble is a string orchestra, supplemented with a few woodwinds. Auditions are held at the beginning of Fall Semester. The Hanover College-Community Orchestra meets Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:50 p.m., and Thursday afternoons from 5:10-6:05 p.m. Community members join us for the rehearsals on Tuesday evenings.
DRUMLINE
The Hanover College Drumline club is a student organization that performs at select campus events. The group is led by students, and Dr. Mruzek serves as the advisor. Any student wishing to join the group and learn more about percussion instruments is encouraged to reach out to the Hanover College Drumline leadership. The College is fortunate to have a very large collection of percussion instruments available for our students to use.
GENERAL INFORMATION
If you play any of the following instruments, please consider becoming involved in the Hanover College Instrumental Music Program. Hanover owns several instruments that can be used by students. If you love music, we’d love to have you join us.
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet (Soprano, Alto, Bass)
- Bassoon
- Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Baritone)
- Trumpet/Cornet
- Horn
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- String Bass
- Keyboard
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Do I have to major in music in order to participate in an instrumental ensemble?
The majority of participants are not music majors. In fact, virtually every major on campus is represented in the Instrumental Music Program. Most students participate because they love music, and they want to earn academic credit.
2. How much academic credit will I earn?
Each ensemble (Concert Band, Saxophone Ensemble and Orchestra) is worth .25 credits. You do have the option of enrolling in a credit or non-credit section for each ensemble. Please make sure that the director is aware of your intentions.
3. What is the time commitment?
The time commitment varies according to the group(s). For example, Concert Band meets about three hours per week, Orchestra meets three hours per week, and Saxophone Ensemble meets two hours per week. Concerts are given by each group near the end of each semester. Other performances are scheduled, and you will be notified well in advance.
4. Can I participate in both the vocal and instrumental music programs?
Ensemble rehearsal schedules within the Music Department are carefully arranged so that they do not conflict with each other. This will allow you to participate in both vocal and instrumental ensembles.
5. What if I no longer own my instrument, but I still want to participate?
Hanover College owns more than 30 concert instruments that you can sign out when you enroll in one or more of the ensembles. If, by chance, Hanover College does not have an instrument on hand for you, every effort will be made to acquire one.
6. What if I have a conflict with a lab or some other class?
All of our instrumental ensembles are collaborative courses. In other words, the success of each ensemble depends on all students being present at all rehearsals, except if there is an emergency or illness. As much as we would like to accommodate schedule conflicts with other classes, this is not possible.
7. Do you have to audition in order to be in an instrumental ensemble?
Auditions are held at the beginning of fall semester in order to determine which part you will play; every effort is made to include those students who truly want to participate. The director will have audition material for you. No student should pass up the opportunity to perform in an ensemble simply because they do not want to play an audition.
8. What if I haven’t played my instrument for a year or two?
One of the primary goals of each group is participation. What we look for in a good participant is an excellent attitude, dependability and experience with instrumental performance. If you believe you are rusty when it comes to playing your instrument, you will be placed on a part that is less exposed while you get back in shape.
9. Do I have to enroll in all the ensembles in the program?
You can enroll in just one or two ensembles if that’s what you’d like to do. However, there are different enrollment rules for those who are receiving a music scholarship. Saxophone Ensemble students do not have to enroll in Concert Band, but dual enrollment is strongly encouraged. The Saxophone Ensemble is considered an ancillary group to the Concert Band.
For more information about the Music Department, please inquire below.
