University of North Texas 
Resident Ensembles
Choral Studies
The University of North Texas A Cappella Choir is led by Dr. Allen Hightower, director
of choral studies. The 48-voice choir, selected by competitive auditions from the
more than 1,500 music majors within the College of Music, is the premier ensemble
in the UNT choral program comprised of seven choirs and a Collegium Musicum.
Jazz Studies
The University of North Texas opened the door for jazz studies in 1947 as the first university in the nation to offer a degree program for this genre. Ranked #1 by US News & World Report, the North Texas Jazz Studies program has retained its role as leader in jazz education, earning an international reputation for excellence in both the music education field and the professional jazz industry
UNT Opera
The UNT Opera season offers a wide variety of operatic entertainment from traditional
to non-traditional operas, including world premiers, a Family Opera series, Baroque
operas performed with the Baroque Orchestra and Italian operas that are performed
in Denton and in the Teatro Academico in Castelfranco, Italy
Orchestral Studies
The UNT Symphony Orchestra was established in 1938 and has played concerts regularly
for 70 years. During this time the orchestra has had only seven regular conductors.
The 80-member ensemble is currently under the direction of its 7th conductor, Maestro
David Itkin. The UNT Symphony is quickly being recognized as one of America's top
training grounds for professional orchestral players.
Wind Studies
Internationally acknowledged as one of the premier ensembles of its kind, the UNT
Wind Symphony is selected from the most outstanding musicians attending the College
of Music. The Wind Symphony has been highly acclaimed for "wonderful and artistically
rendered performances which are elegant and polished," and complimented for "terrific
ensemble skills which embody a high degree of integrity and sensitivity."