Music Performance
Instrumental Ensembles
Concert Band
Dr. Michael Kendall, director
The Bethel College Concert Band is an instrumental ensemble devoted to the performance of traditional and contemporary concert band literature. Band membership is open to college students and area residents. This course provides students opportunities to enhance their musical appreciation through performance, while continuing to develop their instrumental performance skills. The Concert band also serves as laboratory experience for music education majors desiring to improve their performance levels on various band instruments, observe rehearsal methods and techniques, and learn band organizational strategies. The Concert Band performs two concerts each year on campus and is directed by Dr. Michael Kendall.
Jazz Ensemble
Dr. Reginald Klopfenstein, director
The
Jazz Ensemble performs on and off campus each semester including
the popular Jazz Coffeehouse Concert each spring. It draws
on the broad spectrum of jazz styles including: Swing, Bebop,
Latin, Rock, and Fusion. Each February the Jazz Ensemble tours,
playing in churches and schools and presenting formal, as well
as coffeehouse, concerts. The Jazz Ensemble is directed by
Dr. Reginald Klopfenstein.
Percussion Ensemble
Dr. Reginald Klopfenstein, director
The Percussion Ensemble performs music that reflects the great diversity of percussion instruments. These include compositions for traditional concert percussion, mallet instruments, hand drums, and novelty "instruments." The ensemble's literature includes selections from various traditions including classical, jazz, popular, Latin, and African. The Percussion Ensemble performs each semester and is directed by Dr. Reginald Klopfenstein.
Jazz Combo
Dr. Reginald Klopfenstein, director
The
Jazz Combo, comprised of musicians selected from the Jazz Ensemble. They
focus on the development and refinement of students' improvisational
skills. The Jazz Combo performs regularly with the Jazz Ensemble and
are directed by Dr. Reginald Klopfenstein.
String Quartet
Dr. Vicky Warkentien, director
The Bethel College String Quartet is an ensemble committed to the exploration and performance of major string quartet repertoire, with its numerous technical and expressive demands. The String Quartet performs several concerts each year, both on and off campus. Participation in this ensemble enables students to develop advanced skills in musicality, balance, sensitivity, control, and independence. Enrollment is subject to audition.
String Chamber Orchestra
Dr. Vicky Warkentien, director
The Bethel College String Chamber Orchestra is an ensemble devoted to the performance of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary repertoire. The String Chamber Orchestra performs two concerts each year and is open to all qualified members of the College community and to area residents. The ensemble provides the opportunity to students for continued instrumental growth and musical development. Students may participate in this ensemble for credit, earning one credit hour each semester, or they may audit the course on a no-credit basis. The String Chamber Orchestra is directed by Dr. Michael Kendall.
