Music Ensembles at Adams State College
Instrumental Ensembles
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Jamie VanValkenburg, is the top concert band at ASC and is open to all ASC students by audition. The ASC Wind Ensemble follows in the tradition established by Frederick Fennell at the Eastman School of Music: it is a concert band reduced to generally one player per part.
The ASC Wind Ensemble performs at least two concerts per semester on campus. Other performance opportunities include performing at local high schools and the annual spring tour to other areas of Colorado. The ASC Wind Ensemble programs a mixture of standard and contemporary works, with an emphasis on benchmark compositions for wind band. The Wind Ensemble also serves as the accompanying group for the annual ASC Bands Concerto Competition. Winners get to perform a solo with the Wind Ensemble on the spring band concert.
Concert Band
The Concert Band, directed by Dr. Jamie VanValkenburg, is the largest performing instrumental ensemble at ASC and is open to all students with prior experience on a band instrument. It meets in fall semesters after the marching season and throughout spring semesters. The ASC Concert Band performs two concerts per semester on campus, presenting programs containing traditional through contemporary works for band.
Grizzly Show/Marching Band
The ASC Grizzly Show/Marching Band, under the direction of Dr. Jamie VanValkenburg, provides musical support for the ASC football team at all home games. The Show Band is open to all ASC students.
Pep Band
The Pep Band, under the direction of Dr. Jamie VanValkenburg, provides musical support for the ASC men's and women's basketball teams. Scholarship money is available by audition.
Jazz Ensemble
The ASC Jazz Ensemble is directed by Mr. Douglas Camp. Placement in this group is by audition, however any student may audition, regardless of major. The emphasis of the Jazz Ensemble is high quality performances of standard and contemporary jazz repertoire at several concerts during the year. Additionally, the Jazz Ensemble performs the annual Adams State College Jazz Festival with a nationally recognized guest artist. Past guest soloists include Kevin Bryan, Brad Leali, Diana Witkowski, Paul McKee, Ron McCurdy, and Glenn Kostur. Click here to learn more about Jazz at ASC.
Percussion Ensemble
The ASC Percussion Ensemble offers the opportunity for any ASC student to participate, regardless of musical background. The group typically performs at two or more concerts each semester. Drawing from African, Latin American, and Asian influences, the Percussion Ensemble often performs compositions written by the class.
ASC Orchestra
Directed by Dr. William Lipke, the ASC Orchestra is open to string, brass, woodwind, keyboard and percussion students. Music from the standard orchestral repertoire is studied and performed each semester such as works by Beethoven, Haydn and Dvorak.
Mariachi
The ASC Mariachi Ensemble is under the direction of Nick Branchal. The group meets once per week on Thursday evenings. Membership is by audition.
Choral Ensembles
Chamber Choir
The Adams State College Chamber Choir carries on a seventy-year tradition of excellence in choral music at the college. The twenty-four member select group is drawn mostly from the college's larger Concert Choir. Students represent a variety of disciplines in addition to music performance and education. Chamber Choir programs include a variety of repertoire from medieval chant to the most cutting-edge works of today. The choir tours annually and has performed recently at invited performances for Colorado Music Educators Association and College Music Society.
Concert Choir
Concert Choir, conducted by Christopher Jackson, is open to the entire campus community. It is made up of approximately seventy students from nearly every discipline in the college. This ensemble presents four performances as part of the Music Department's concert series. The choir participates in campus activities, social events, and service projects in addition to presenting formal concerts. No audition is required.
68 West
The college's vocal a cappella ensemble, 68 West performs extensively throughout the San Luis Valley. The ten-member group, under the direction of Christopher Jackson, sings a wide variety of vocal styles from gospel and blues to popular and Broadway. The singers have been featured in performances on campus, for public and private community events and in educational programs at San Luis Valley schools. Membership is by audition only as vacancies occur.
Valley Community Chorus
This ensemble is open to the public and no audition is required. Conducted by Christopher Jackson, the group meets once a week, providing a musical and social opportunity for adult and high school singers throughout the region.