Specialty Ensembles
African Drumming and Dance
The Illinois State University's West African Drumming and Dance Ensemble is designed to introduce students to drum rhythms, folk songs, and simple dance forms of the West African region.
Under the direction of Dr. Oforiwaa Aduonum, Ghanaian drummer and dancer, drumming is mostly taught by rote. Through imitation and repetition, students acquire the skills necessary for the intricate and complex drumming styles of West Africa.
The class also exposes students to select West African dances like Kpanlogo, Bima, Nagala, Sinte, Gahu, and Fanga. In addition the class teaches students to folk song singing with light bodily movements, which is an integral part of the drumming process. Instruments used in the ensemble include, Ghanaian apentemma, gyamadudu, donno drums, torowa rattles, dawuro and dawurota bells, and the Sene-gambian djembe drum. The semester always ends with a public performance for the campus and surrounding communities.
The ensemble is opened to the campus student population as well as faculty members. No auditions are necessary. For more information please contact Oforiwaa Ama Aduonum, African Drumming and Dance Ensemble Director
Chamber Winds
The Illinois State University Chamber Winds offers a unique experience open to all University students.
Chamber Winds are divided into numerous chamber ensembles from duet to like-instrument choirs, each of which are coached by members of the applied music faculty at Illinois State. The collective ensembles perform a diverse repertoire and performs concerts both on and off campus. Membership is by audition only and is open to all Illinois State University students.
For more information please contact Stephen K. Steele, Director of Bands or visit the Bands Web site.
Guitar Ensemble
Classes are available to guitar majors and minors and to other music majors and minors, provided they pass an audition showing they possess the required skills, such as prior experience on the classical guitar or other guitar styles and the ability to read notes on the treble clef.
Freshmen and sophomores enrolled in guitar ensemble for the fall semester perform repertoire written or arranged for small groups, such as guitar duos, trios, and/or quartets. Juniors and seniors perform repertoire written or arranged for guitar and other instruments (flute, violin, etc.). Those enrolled in the spring semester perform repertoire written or arranged for large guitar ensemble.
The Guitar Ensemble offers students the opportunity to explore the repertoire for multiple guitars. Students are divided into smaller groups (duos, trios, or quartets) in the fall and combined into one big group in the spring. The ensembles receive weekly rehearsal and coaching sessions, present a formal campus concert every semester, and frequently perform throughout the Midwest. Participation is by audition and is open to all Illinois State University students.
For more detailed information please contact Dr. Angelo L. Favis or visit his guitar studio.
Percussion Ensemble
The Illinois State University Percussion Ensemble has been entertaining audiences with the classics from the percussion repertoire for years.
Under the direction of David L. Collier, this ensemble performs everything from standard percussion literature to avant garde to pop. This ensemble features the Marimba Ensemble which performs works specifically geared to keyboard percussion. Composed of 5 to 12 members, the ensemble rehearses twice a week and performs on campus a least once every semester.
Percussion Ensemble is open to both majors and non-majors for credit. A solid background in all of the standard percussion instruments is required for participation in the group. This ensemble is dedicated to the development of the performer within a total percussion environment through the performance of medium to large ensemble works of every genre.
Serious Repercussions
Serious Repercussions is the premier performing percussion group on campus. Formed in 1988 by Professor of Percussion David Collier and Director of Bands Dr. Steve Steele, Serious Repercussions is a chamber ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of the finest percussion literature.The group is composed of 5 to 6 of the most talented percussionists at Illinois State University. Entrance into the group is by audition and invitation of the music director. Professor Collier serves as music director and coach of the ensemble, but does not conduct nor "run" every rehearsal.The ensemble is designed to foster the growth and musical independence of the members within a chamber music environment. With this in mind the members themselves organize the rehearsals, plan the programs, arrange publicity, and do most of their rehearsals independently.As music coach, Collier will rehearse with the ensemble 1 or 2 times a week. This independence offers the participants the opportunity to make their own musical decisions and to learn to prepare a musical performance on their own. Serious Repercussions performs at least once every semester and has plans to tour in the near future. For more information please contact David Collier, Director of Percussion Studies
