Instrumental music ensembles
Earlham College offers a wide variety of instrumental ensembles for students interested in learning or continuing to play an instrument, including distinctive options such as the Javanese Gamelan Ensemble and the Hand Drum Ensemble.
Learn more about our ensembles below:
Earlham Chamber Orchestra
Earlham has a long tradition of orchestral music, dating back to the 1950s. Currently, we have contrasting programs in the two semesters. In the fall, the orchestra program consists of a chamber orchestra that performs a variety of music for strings, woodwinds, and brass, based on the fall enrollment. Some of this music is from the classical repertoire, and some is more experimental. In the spring semester, the students work on larger scale works and are joined for the concert by members of the Richmond Symphony. Students thus gain the experience of playing both intimate chamber pieces and full symphonic compositions.
At a glance
- Director: Forrest Tobey
- Music majors and non-majors accepted
Javanese Gamelan Ensemble
A gamelan is a large set of Indonesian instruments consisting mostly of melodic percussion, which are tuned to non-Western intervals, and which are used for traditional ritual music in Java and Bali, as well as for concert music and for accompanying other performing arts, such as dance or shadow theater.
Our gamelan is from central Java, which is known for its highly refined music and dance (the moods range from solemn to exuberant, but always within a fairly controlled register). Pieces in the traditional repertoire may be extremely simple or exceedingly difficult and complex (we begin with the simpler ones, of course, since this is really just an introduction to the tradition) and the instruments within the ensemble also range from quickly learned parts to ones that require much skill. Occasionally we also play newer repertoire that has been composed in the past couple decades. This can range from popular-oriented genres to experimental music that stretches uses the instruments in innovative ways.
The ensemble can accommodate people of widely varying backgrounds and innate musical ability. No previous musical training is assumed: knowledge of Western staff notation and music theory is irrelevant. Typically, in the fall we present an informal recital in the gamelan room, whereas in the spring we put on a larger-scale concert in Lingle Auditorium; both occur towards the end of the semester.
At a glance
- Director: Marc Benamou
- No previous musical training required
Jazz Ensemble
Earlham’s Jazz Ensemble is a musical collective that aims to develop individual improvisation, collective group playing, and overall musicianship by diving deep in the repertoire of 20th century Black American music. The task of each ensemble member is to bring their unique personality to the bandstand so that a distinctive sound can be produced. Each semester the ensemble has a signature performance in Lingle Hall, Earlham’s dynamic performance space, as well as other presentations situated on and off-campus. Emphasis is placed on the jazz tradition, while infusing the sound with contemporary expressions. Biweekly rehearsals are supplemented with sectionals to grow camaraderie between members and individual improv coaching to build dexterity in the language of jazz.
At a glance
- Led by steering committees
- Embrace players’ unique style and instrumentation
- Outside coaching available
Hand Drum Ensemble
The Hand Drum Ensemble is open to all students, faculty and staff. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.
This ensemble encourages and motivates a wide spectrum of musical backgrounds from the musical novice up through the experienced drummer/percussionist. The group learns most all material by rote/demonstration and incorporates a wide variety of musical styles and instruments, such as West African djembe/dundun, Brazilian batucada, Afro-Cuban congas/timbales/bongos, and North American keyboard percussion ensemble repertoire- just to name a few.
Concerts occur at least twice a semester in addition to impromptu events, drum circles, and collaboration with community concerts, campus festivals and student dance groups. Come drum with Hand Drum Ensemble.
At a glance
- Director: Keith Cozart Steele
- No previous musical knowledge necessary
- Open to students, faculty and staff
Rhythm Project
The Earlham Rhythm Project is open to all students, faculty and staff with the suggestion that previous musical and/or percussion experience is recommended. The ability to recognize standard sheet music notation is also recommended, but not required.
This very active and fast-paced ensemble rehearses, performs and functions as a typical percussion ensemble while also supporting the percussive needs of the Earlham orchestra, choirs and theatre. The Rhythm Project draws repertoire from a wide variety of composed percussion literature, jazz/pop/rock standards, and entertaining novelty pieces. Concerts occur at least twice a semester in addition to impromptu events and collaboration with community concerts, campus festivals and student dance groups.
At a glance
- Director: Keith Cozart Steele
- Previous musical and/or percussion experience recommended
String Quartet
This group is auditioned from the orchestra and rehearses and performs masterpieces from the vast repertoire of string quartet music.
At a glance
- Audition required