Ensembles

The Wind Ensemble is the premier large instrumental ensemble at Texas A&M University-Commerce.  Comprised primarily of undergraduate and graduate music majors, the Wind Ensemble is equally dedicated to the performance of the cornerstones of the wind literature, the finest contemporary works, and the rich and varied repertoire composed for chamber winds.  Through this exposure to the finest large ensemble and chamber works, it is believed that each instrumental student will leave the University with a thorough foundation of ensemble teaching and performance skills.

The Symphonic Band is comprised of undergraduate music and non-music majors who have demonstrated an outstanding level of musicianship and a commitment to excellence. The mission of the Symphonic Band is to prepare young conductors for careers in music education through exposure to challenging new works for wind band in addition to performing a number of works considered to be the "cornerstones" of wind literature.

“The Mane Attraction” is the Jazz Ensemble at Texas A&M University-Commerce.  This ensemble provides an opportunity for students to learn a uniquely American style of music that will further prepare them for careers in music education or performance. The emphasis of this course will be on the preparation and performance of the various styles associated with big band jazz, including Swing, Blues, Rock and Latin.  Participants also learn about the style elements associated with the legendary artists of jazz (i.e. what make a Count Basie tune stylistically different from a Glenn Miller tune, etc.)   “The Mane Attraction” is open by audition to performers (majors or non-majors) on saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, string bass (electric or acoustic), and drum set.    Ensemble participants will also receive appropriate instruction in theory, jazz harmony, and improvisation.

Performing for nearly 60,000 people a year, the “Pride” Marching Band is Texas A&M University Commerce’s most visible instrumental ensemble.  The “Pride” performs at all home football games and at marching exhibitions throughout Texas and Oklahoma, which have included the State Marching Band Contest at the Alamodome and the Bands of America Regional Championships at Rice Stadium in Houston.

The “Pride” is based on a foundation that a college marching band can produce a marching experience that is both visually and musically exemplary.  Because of this, the ensemble performs only one show a season, which allows for a level of marching and musical performance difficult to obtain from college marching bands choosing to perform multiple shows each fall.   This concept provides a unique and practical opportunity for the music education majors at Texas A&M University-Commerce, as it allows them to directly experience the pacing and attention to detail that they may employ with their own ensembles as future music educators.