Choral Ensembles
Check out the ETSU Choirs on YouTube!
Don't miss a single ETSU choral event - Join our email list now!
The ETSU Chorale has long been recognized as one of the finest university ensembles in the United States. The choir has toured both nationally and internationally, and appeared in numerous state and national conferences. The Chorale is conducted by Dr. Matthew Potterton, who became the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities in 2013. He continues to build on the long tradition of outstanding choral singing at ETSU established by Dr. Thomas Jenrette, Professor Emeritus, during his thirty-three year tenure. Members of the Chorale are chosen through a selective audition process and must be dedicated to the highest level of artistry. The group performs in a variety of styles and genres, ranging from music of the Renaissance to newly composed works. In January of 2015 the choir toured New York and Washington D.C. and performed in some of the nation's most beautiful venues including the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, as well as the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. In 2016, the Chorale was selectd to perform for the Tennessee Music Educators Association's All-State Conference in Nashville.
In 2019, the Chorale will travel to Wales to compete in the Llangollen International Choral Festival. Your support will make this trip possible!
Check out the ETSU Chorale on Facebook
Listen to the ETSU Chorale on Sound Cloud
Greyscale, under the direction of Dr. Alan Stevens, is one of the premier ensembles in the ETSU Department of Music. Greyscale has become a recognized success on the ETSU campus and throughout the region. In January of 2015 Greyscale toured and appeared on invited performances in New York City and Washington D.C., including a show at the renowned B.B. King's on 42nd Street in NYC. The have hosted The Swingles (with the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts) and New York Voices on ETSU's campus. Greyscale has performed for the Rossini Festival (Knoxville, TN), Blue Plum Festival and Founder's Park Concert Series in Johnson City, the Tennessee Music Educators Association All-State Conference in Nashville, the Niswonger Children's Hospital "Broadway Comes to Greeneville," and has been the featured performer on WETS 89.5 Studio One multiple times. They have appeared at many high-profile ETSU events, including the Distinguished President's Trust Banquet, the President's Classroom, Fall Faculty Convocation, Student Convocation, Athletics Night of Champions, and the Spring Fling. Greyscale released their first album in April of 2016, self-titled "Greyscale." Their follow up album, "Spectrum," was released in March of 2017. Both are available iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby, and more. Compact Discs are available for purchase from the ETSU Department of Music office.
Greyscale annually hosts the BucAppella Choral Festival on ETSU's campus. Clinicians have included Deke Sharon, the internationally-renowned producer of the the Pitch Perfect movies, and Ben Bram, co-founder of the Pentatonix.
The select group of twelve singers who formed the initial ensemble called themselves "Greyscale" to represent the non-specific type of music they performed – avoiding categorization in any clearly-defined, black-and-white genre. The constant challenge for Greyscale is to find creative arrangements that blend jazz, pop, folk, and classical styles into new unaccompanied vocal works. Greyscale is inspired by ensembles such as The Swingles, Real Group, Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, Voces 8, and Pentatonix. The singers in Greyscale are selected through a rigorous audition process. Students must re-audition each year, and they must be able to perform as both an ensemble singer and a lead vocalist.
Check out Greyscale on Facebook
Instagram @ETSUGreyscale
East Tennessee Belles Women's Choir is open to all students on campus who are dedicated to the performance of choral music. The group tours throughout the region, and performs a four-concert series each year. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Matthew Potterton.
Check out East Tennessee Belles on Facebook
Listen to East Tennessee Belles on Sound Cloud
BucsWorth Men’s Choir was formed in 1989 at East Tennessee State University by Dr.
Thomas Jenrette, now Professor Emeritus, as a primarily a cappella chamber ensemble
called “Seven BucsWorth.” This referred to the number of guys in the ensemble and
a play-on-words reference to the ETSU mascot, the Buccaneers. The number of Bucs changed
over the years, but the ensemble soon became one of the most popular choral groups
in the region. In 2013, under the direction or Dr. Alan Stevens, the ensemble was
expanded to a full men’s choir and has since grown to forty or more Bucs each semester.
Under Dr. Stevens’ direction, BucsWorth has been recognized as one of the premier university men’s choirs in the nation. BucsWorth received third place in the 2017 American Prize Competition for University Choirs, and has been selected to perform at the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses National Seminar, the Tennessee Music Educators Association State Conference, and the Young Men’s Power Sing in Atlanta. BucsWorth performs a diverse repertoire of both traditional and contemporary choral music, including performances with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra and frequent collaborations with other university men’s ensembles. BucsWorth has premiered works by Dan Forrest and Daniel Gawthrop, and has hosted guest artists including Alice Parker, Ola Gjeilo, Brad Holmes, and Chanticleer (with the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts).
BucsWorth is composed of men from across all campus disciplines, and it is open to any student. They meet only twice a week, but perform a series of four concerts each year and frequent appearances for local events throughout the northeastern Tennessee region.
You can find more information about BucsWorth Men's Choir and keep up to date about all concert appearances and events on their Facebook page.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Performs representative traditional and contemporary works for the wind medium.
Open to all university students by audition.
Directed by Dr. Christian Zembower.
Concert Band
Performs music of all forms, from classic to popular.
Open to all university students by consultation with the instructor.
Directed by Dr. Christian Zembower.
For more information regarding bands, contact Dr. Christian Zembower
423-439-4296 or zembower@etsu.edu
15 Mathes Hall
PO Box 70312
Johnson City, TN 37614
Phone: 423-439-4775 Fax: 423-439-7088
Want to be a Marching Buc?? Apply now!
Director
Assistant Director
Marching Percussion
Tom Massengill
Colorguard Instructor
Majorette Instructor
Executive Aide
ETSU Marching Band - FAQ
Type here to Filter Results
- How do I audition?Answer
- How do I enroll?Answer
- Are Scholarships available?Answer
- How much time will be involved?Answer
- What expenses are involved?Answer
- Housing Options:Answer
- Northeast State Students:Answer
How do I audition?
Brass/Woodwinds: If you have previous high school marching band experience, you do not need to audition for a spot in the hornline.
Percussion: Auditions are required for a spot in the drumline.
- For more information, contact our Marching Percussion Director, Mr. Logan Ball, balllj1@etsu.edu
Colorguard: Auditions are required and will be held in April 2019 in the ETSU Mini Dome. Please complete the Marching Bucs online form above.
- For more information, moorejd@etsu.edu
Teaching videos for audition routines:
Majorettes: Auditions are required and will be held in April 2019 in Brooks Lower Gym. Please complete the Marching Bucs online form above.
Audition Requirements for Majorettes:
- 2 turn
- Toss illusionCandidates will be required to perform a solo routine that is no longer than 2 minutes, including 1 and 2 batons. A group routine will be taught at auditions.
- Wear a twirl costume or leotard.
For more information:
etsumajorettes@gmail.com
How do I enroll?
Fill out your information at the link listed above if you are planning to participate!
When registering for classes, Marching Band is: MUSC 1201
*Please note:Incoming Freshman should NOT register for the Freshman Preview since it conflicts
with Band Camp
If I'm attending Northeast State Community College can I participate?
Yes! You can enroll for the marching band class at ETSU and be a member of the Marching
Bucs. For more information and assistance with registering, contact Shayna Kyle at
kyless@etsu.edu
Are Scholarships available?
Performance Awards of various financial levels are available to instrumentalists (brass,
woodwinds, and percussion) and will be awarded based on the performance level of the
individual auditioning as well as the overall needs of the band.
Auditions for brass and woodwinds include a prepared selection that best showcases your musical abilities. Contact Dr. Moore to schedule an audition, moorejd@etsu.edu
How much time will be involved?
Band Camp is scheduled for the week before classes begin: August 17 – 23, 2019.
What expenses are involved?
Uniform shoes
Gloves
Flip Folder/Music Lyre (Hornline)
DrillBook Next app
Gloves
Flip Folder/Music Lyre (Hornline)
DrillBook Next app
Housing Options:
Campus Housing has reserved a block of rooms in three separate dorms for marching band members to live together as part of an on-campus community. The options represent co-ed as well as traditional housing arrangements at different price points. You can also request to be paired with someone from Marching Bucs as a roommate.
Living in any of these housing options is NOT required of to be a member of the Marching Bucs, but if you would like to take advantage of this or to request a specific band roommate, email Kathy Graves, kathy@etsu.edu
Northeast State Students:
Northeast State students interested in participating in the ETSU Marching Bucs should apply to ETSU as a dual admissions student. In addition to participation in the Marching Bucs, students are given the opportunity to receive dual advisement at both institutions, ensuring transferability of coursework, as well as access to all ETSU amenities, including, but not limited to, the Charles C. Sherrod library, ETSU football and basketball games, student concerts, etc. Additionally, students who apply within their first semester at Northeast State receive a waived application fee to ETSU. For more information, or for assistance with the application and/or registration process, please contact:
Shanya Kyle
423-439-8300
kyless@etsu.edu
ETSU Buccaneer Brass Basketball Band
Open to all university students by consultation with the instructor.
Directed by Dr. Joe Moore
Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combos: Martin Walters, Director
The instrumental jazz ensembles are devoted to the study of jazz and pop styles. Attention is given to improvisation and understanding stylistic techniques. Participation is open to all university students through consultation with the director. Click here to audition.
Additional guest artists who have performed at ETSU include The Airmen of Note, Spyro Gyra, USAF Airman of Note Alumni, and Rita Collidge. Solo artists also include saxophonists Chip McNeil, Jim Snidero, Walt Weiskopf, Joe Carello, and Frank Grosso; trumpeters Tony Scodwell, Greg Wing, Jon Yates, Jim Ward; trombonists Conrad Herwig and Rick Simerly, pianist Lenore Raphael and Mark Maegdlin, bassist Jon Schwabe, and percussionist Marvin Sparks and famed Tonight Show Band percussionist Ed Shaughnessy.
For more information regarding the ETSU Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Combos contact Martin Walters at waltermb@etsu.edu
The Department of Music offers a variety of instrumental chamber ensembles, which are open to music majors and non-majors through instructor approval.
Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble
Directed by Dr. Stephanie Frye
Flute Choir
Directed by Rebecca Paluzzi
Additional Chamber Ensembles:
Trombone Choir, Directed by Dr. Justin Waller
Opera Theatre, Karen Smith, Director
"Mozart Mayhem"
The Tender Land
Haensel and Gretel
For more information regarding the ETSU Opera Theatre Workshop contact:
Ms. Karen Smith
Director - ETSU Opera Theater
423-439-6954
Chamber String Orchestra
Dr. David Kováč, conductor
The ETSU Chamber String Orchestra is a select ensemble of students that performs a wide variety of repertoire ranging from classics to contemporary. If you are interested in auditioning for the Chamber String Orchestra, contact the conductor, Dr. David Kováč.
Johnson City Symphony Orchestra
Robert Seebacher, conductor
www.JCSymphony.com
Find them on Facebook
The 2018-2019 Season marks the 50th anniversary of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra! In 1968, patrons of the arts began raising funds for the brand new Johnson City Symphony Orchestra. They believed that with the population of the TriCities, two colleges and a university, and a constant influx of new people there should be a professional orchestra in the region. JCSO began with twenty-eight members and is now a fully professional orchestra of over eighty members.
The ETSU Department of Music and JCSO are partnered to provide opportunities for students of all orchestral instruments. This experience is invaluable, and allows students who successfully audition to play along side outstanding professional musicians.
The JCSO has achieved recognition for its sustainment of the arts in Northeast Tennessee. The Orchestra provides quality entertainment and music education for all people. The orchestra is supported by both individuals and businesses in the community, allowing the JCSO to further its mission to provide and promote excellent symphonic music throughout the region.
Dr. Robert J. Seebacher is artistic director and conductor of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, Director
of Instrumental Programs at Centre College in Kentucky, and Assistant Conductor for
the National Chorale in New York. He has appeared with the Lexington Philharmonic,
Youngstown Symphony, Warren Philharmonic and Mobile Symphony orchestras. Dr. Seebacher’s
previously held positions include Director of Orchestras and Conductor of Opera at
the University of South Alabama as well as assistant conductor with the University
of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre and the Youngstown Symphony Youth
Orchestra.
Dr. Seebacher served on the faculty of the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts until its elimination by the Department of Education. While in residence there, he conducted opera and taught conducting, music theory and history, as well as French horn. He has conducted numerous all-state and honors orchestras in Kentucky, West Virginia and Alabama. His guest artist collaborations have included those with Chee-Yun, Béla Fleck, Mark O’Connor, Midori, the Canadian Brass, Arlo Guthrie and Lynn Harrell.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education (cum laude) from Youngstown State University, a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from Bowling Green State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Seebacher has participated in training workshops at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan. He conducted the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as part of their inaugural conducting symposium. His teachers include William B. Slocum, Stephen L. Gage, John Nardolillo, Emily Freeman Brown and Gustav Meier.
The ETSU Percussion Ensemble is directed by Dr. Matthew Geiger and Mr. Logan Ball
The percussion ensemble is open to any ETSU student by audition. Contact Dr. Geiger for more information.
