Ensembles

The ensemble program at the University of North Texas offers more than seventy ensembles, large and small, in which students may participate. While many represent traditional areas including orchestra, band, choir, opera and jazz, we are also proud of the large number of specialized ensembles not often supportable in smaller programs, including early music (vocal and instrumental), new music in both acoustic and electronic media, and such ethnic ensembles as mariachi, Balinese gamelan, African drumming and dancing, and other world music percussion groups.

Among the national and international appearances by UNT ensembles are performances at New York’s Lincoln Center and the Morton H. Meyerson Center in Dallas, along with tours of Japan, Scandinavia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Thailand. UNT ensembles have produced numerous recordings, several of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards.

Our concert season consists of nearly 1,100 events each year, including ensemble, chamber music, solo recitals, guest artists, master classes and lectures. Events take place primarily in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, Music Building and Main Auditorium. Learn more about our practice and performance facilities.

Choral Ensembles

A Cappella Choir

The premier ensemble of the University of North Texas choral program, the 52-voice A Cappella Choir, led by Dr. Allen Hightower, director of choral studies, is selected by competitive audition from among the more than 1,500 music majors within the College of Music.

Chorale

The University of North Texas Chorale was formed in the fall of 2020 to provide an exciting mixed choir experience for students from across the UNT campus. Chorale will perform at the annual UNT ChoralFest!, as well as presenting both fall and spring concerts. Students are not required to audition prior to enrolling, but instead will be placed into appropriate sections after individual voicing takes place during the first week of classes. Chorale was formerly known as the UNT Men's Chorus.

Concert Choir

The 75 voice Concert Choir serves the broader interests of our undergraduate population, particularly those anticipating a career in choral music education, through a wide ranging repertoire that is both accessible and challenging. The ensemble regularly partners with the area’s finest high school choirs and also joins the A Cappella Choir and Chamber Choir each year to perform major works with orchestra as the Grand Chorus.

Grand Chorus

The University of North Texas Grand Chorus, comprised of more than 150 singers drawn from the A Cappella Choir, Concert Choir and University Singers as well as other interested individuals, partners with the UNT Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, as well as other regional orchestras, to present major oratorio repertoire.

Kalandra

Kalandra, meaning “Songbird" in Greek, is an ensemble comprised of sopranos and altos, selected each fall by audition. Members of the ensemble come from diverse backgrounds, including both musicians from the College of Music and academic disciplines campus-wide. Kalandra performs both historical and contemporary repertoire, celebrating the complexity and vitality of the treble voice. Conducted by Dr. Kristina Caswell MacMullen, the ensemble strives to connect and empower artists through meaningful music-making. Kalandra was formerly known as the UNT Women's Chorus.

University Singers

The 55-65 member University Singers, conducted by Dr. Kristina Caswell MacMullen, explores a wide variety of repertoire from a cappella to works with instrumental ensemble or orchestra.

New Music Ensembles

NOVA

Nova is the new music ensemble of the University of North Texas, directed by Dr. Elizabeth McNutt. Repertoire includes classics of the modern era alongside music by younger and less familiar composers, giving students the opportunity to perform fresh and exciting contemporary works.

Early Music Ensembles

Baroque Orchestra

The University of North Texas Baroque Orchestra offers students one of the rare opportunities in North America to study and perform at a high level on period instruments. Students who are admitted into the orchestra are frequently given scholarships for study on period instruments.

North Texas Baroque Ensemble

The North Texas Baroque Ensemble is the name given to a select group of students and early music faculty who generally perform off campus.

Vox Aquilae

Vox Aquilae is an ensemble of 18-24 singers who specialize in the performance of music from the 16th through the 18th centuries and which usually performs with the University of North Texas Baroque Orchestra.

Jazz Ensembles

UNT Jazz Department Website

Please visit the UNT Jazz Website for more information about jazz ensembles

Percussion Ensembles

Percussion Ensembles

The University of North Texas Percussion Department hosts a variety of traditional and ethnic ensembles, including two UNT drumlines and unique groups such as the African, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and South Indian Cross-Cultural ensembles.

Visit the Percussion Ensembles website to learn more.

Wind and Orchestral Ensembles

Basketball Band

The North Texas Basketball Band performs for thousands of spectators every spring semester. This group of students serves as ambassadors of spirit and tradition at all home and conference tournament games. In addition to their support of the UNT men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Basketball Band makes numerous appearances at various university functions. The group of 30 members is open to all students by competitive audition held each fall.

Brass Band

The University of North Texas Brass Band provides students with the unique opportunity to perform in one of the most widely known wind mediums throughout the world.

Concert Orchestra

The UNT Concert Orchestra is comprised of approximately 75 musicians drawn from highly selected students attending the College of Music. Under the direction of Dr. Clay Couturiaux, the orchestra offers its members the opportunity to develop and expand the highest standards of technical and musical playing.

Visit the Concert Orchestra website.

Green Brigade Marching Band

The University of North Texas Green Brigade Marching Band enjoys a reputation for high quality musical and visual performances. The ensemble performs at a variety of athletic events throughout the year and is often the featured exhibition group at numerous marching festivals in the state of Texas.

North Texas Wind Symphony

Internationally acknowledged as one of the premier ensembles of its kind, the North Texas Wind Symphony is selected from the most outstanding musicians attending the College of Music.

Symphony Orchestra

The University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra is an 80-member ensemble currently under the direction of Maestro David Itkin. Membership is drawn from the finest musicians attending the UNT College of Music. The orchestra was established in 1938 and has played concerts regularly for over 70 years. During this time the orchestra has had only seven regular conductors. 

Visit the Symphony Orchestra website.

University Band

The University Band began in Fall 2015.

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble began in Fall 2015.

Wind Orchestra

The Wind Orchestra has developed an exemplary national reputation for both their performances and recordings. Membership is drawn from the finest musicians attending the College of Music. The highest quality traditional, mixed with contemporary literature make up the foundation of musical repertoire performed by the group.

Ethnomusicology Ensembles

Chinese Ensemble

Founded in January 2016, The UNT Chinese Ensemble is the first Chinese ensemble established at a Texas university. Directed by renowned pipa soloist and traditional Chinese music director, Yuxin Mei, the ensemble uses Chinese instruments and plays in the traditional "Silk Bamboo" style. The UNT Chinese Ensemble was invited to perform for the Society for Ethnomusicology Southern Plains Conference in 2016. As the Special Performance Guest, they will perform at the Asian Festival in San Antonio, 2017 and will give a performance at the Houston Traditional Chinese Music Spring Concert in May, 2017. In summer 2017, the UNT Chinese Ensemble will perform at the Muse Festival both in Los Angeles and Beijing (invited by the China Conservatory).