Students at Bemidji State University interested in participating in the Department of Music’s choral and instrumental music ensembles are invited to attend tryouts or sign up for relevant courses beginning Aug. 19.

Tryouts are open to students from all majors across campus, and no prior choral ensemble experience is required to participate.

“More than half of our singers and players are non-music majors,” said Dr. Dwight Jilek, director of choral music programs. “No matter what your major or time commitment may be, there is a place for you in the BSU choral and instrumental music programs.”

Choral music ensemble auditions will be held Aug. 19-21 in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Interested students are invited to secure an audition time online.

Wind ensemble auditions begin Aug. 21 in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Interested students are invited to secure an audition time using sign-up sheets on the Wind Ensemble bulletin board outside Bangsberg 112.

Choral Music Ensembles

Bemidji State’s Damenstimmen women’s chorus and Musikanten men’s chorus are open to all students on campus simply by registering for the appropriate class. Damenstimmen meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 12:50 p.m. as MUS 3800 Varsity Singers. Musikanten meets Monday evenings from 6-7 p.m. as MUS 4820 Vocal Ensemble.

Participation in Musikaneten is open to faculty, staff and members of the Bemidji community as well.

The Bemidji Choir — BSU’s premier choral music ensemble — and the Chamber Singers are auditioned ensembles.

This year, the Bemidji Choir will celebrate its 80th anniversary and is scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York and travel to Estonia, Latvia and Finland. The Bemidji Choir meets Monday through Thursday from 4:30–5:50 p.m. each week for rehearsals.

The Chamber Singers, which serve as the Royal Court for BSU’s annual Madrigal Dinners, meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-4:20 p.m. Membership in the Chamber Singers requires enrollment in the Bemidji Choir.

Instrumental Ensembles

BSU’s instrumental ensembles include Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, the Blue Ice Jazz Band and the Percussion Ensemble.

Wind Ensemble meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 3-4:15 p.m.; Symphonic Band meets Monday evenings from 7–9 p.m.; Blue Ice Jazz Band meets Monday through Thursday each week from 1-1:50 p.m.; and Funk Band meets on Monday from 6–7 p.m. A meeting time for the Percussion Ensemble is still to be determined.

Wind Ensemble participation requires a three-part audition — playing of three major scales, performance of prepared material, and sight reading. Students interested in Symphonic Band need only register for the course MUS 2710 Symphonic Band.

Woodwinds will audition Aug. 21 from 4-6:30 p.m., and brass will audition from 4-6:30 p.m. Aug. 22. Both auditions will be held in Bangsberg 207. Percussion will audition Aug. 25 at a time and location to be determined.

CONTACTS

• choral music — Dr. Dwight Jilek, assistant professor of music, director of choral activities; (218) 755-2855, djilek@bemidjistate.edu
• bands — Scott Guidry, assistant professor of music, director of bands; (218) 755-3365, sguidry@bemidjistate.edu
• Percussion Ensemble — Eric Sundeen, adjunct instructor of music; (218) 755-2915, esundeen@bemidjistate.edu
• BSU Funk Band — Dr. Del Lyren, professor of music; (218) 755-3931, dlyren@bemidjistate.edu