Instrumental Music

Gettysburg College has a wide range of instrumental ensembles for you to continue your music making journey. From large to small ensembles you will rehearse and perform a wide range of musical styles and genres. Emphasis is placed on achieving expressive musical communication within a supportive atmosphere that values the pursuit of excellence. The following is an overview of our ensembles, which are grouped in the three broad categories: orchestral activities, bands and chamber music.  Email Lewes Peddell for more information.

Orchestral Activities

At the core of the orchestral program at Gettysburg College is the College-Community Orchestra. This auditioned ensemble is open to all Gettysburg College students, as well as to very talented high school and community musicians. The musical experience of orchestra members is significantly enhanced by the inclusion of the Covington String Quartet within the orchestra. Members of this professional resident string quartet teach studio lessons to the majority of string players in the orchestra, and as members of the orchestra rehearse and perform with students and regularly lead sectionals. Within this full symphony orchestra is a highly selective string ensemble, contemporary music ensemble, and numerous chamber ensembles. The orchestra is an integral component of all string, wind, brass and percussion performance majors' ensemble learning experiences.

Bands

The Gettysburg College Band was founded in October 1910, with its first performance less than a month later at a home football game. Now approaching its centennial year, the original band of 19 has become an organization of over a 100 musicians. The main performing ensembles within the band program are the Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, Bullet Marching Band, and Jazz Ensemble. These ensembles are open to students of all majors with membership of the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble being selected by audition.

Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band

Members of the Marching Band audition to form the Wind Ensemble in early October, and at the conclusion of the marching season then form the Symphony Band. The strength of this part of the program is that members of the Wind Ensemble are also members of the Symphony Band, and as such provide a strong core of musical leadership. The Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble present an annual Winter Band Concert in the Majestic Theatre early December. During the spring semester, the Symphony Band and/or Wind Ensemble perform at a regional high school for a shared concert, and then in early April both ensembles present an annual Spring Band Concert. Among the achievements of these ensembles include a P.M.E.A. performance by the Symphony Band, and a performance in 2005 by the Wind Ensemble at the "Fortenbaugh Lecture" - the preeminent annual national meeting of Lincoln Scholars. Repertoire for both these ensembles is drawn from the finest composers for wind bands, and also includes the commencement of commissioning projects of leading contemporary composers. Additional performance opportunities for band students also include the Chamber Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble as well as numerous Chamber Music Ensembles.

Bullet Marching Band

As has long been tradition, the College Band year commences with the formation of the Bullet Marching Band. The 90-100 member "pride of the centennial conference" places Gettysburg College in an enviable position of being a leading Liberal Arts College with a marching band. The Bullet Marching Band performs at all home football games, a high school exhibition, the Allentown Intercollegiate Marching Band Festival and the Gettysburg Halloween Parade. The Bullet Band has recently performed shows to the music of John Williams, The Incredibles and The Mask of Zorro. Student leadership is at the core of the success of this ensemble with many students continuing their involvement in the ensemble through to their senior year.  The catch phrase for the Bullet Band sums it all up: "Go the Bullet!"

Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble, formed in early September, is an auditioned ensemble of 18 to 20 musicians drawn from members of the Bullet Marching Band who are also intending Symphony Band members. All styles of jazz are studied encompassing swing, latin, fusion, bop, and American popular standards of the Big Band Era. The Jazz Ensemble has performed at the Montreux (Switzerland), Vienné (France), and the North Sea (Holland) Jazz Festivals, opened for Ray Brown, Phil Woods, and Kenny Baron, and participated in the Villanova (PA) and George Mason (VA) Intercollegiate Jazz Festivals.  Soloists at the February Winter Concert have included Jim McFalls, Deborah Weisz, Ed Soph, Chris Vadala, George Rabbai, John Fedchock, Paquito d'Rivera, Denis DiBlasio, and Lew Soloff.  Jazz at Gettysburg has featured artists such as Maynard Ferguson, U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors, Peabody Ragtime Ensemble, The Count Basie Orchestra, B Sharp Quartet, Tana Reid, the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note, and Mississippi Jamboree.

Chamber Music

Chamber music is an important part of the success of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music Instrumental Program. Ensembles include: string quartets, piano and string trios, woodwind quintets, brass quintets, percussion ensemble, clarinet choir, saxophone quartet, trombone ensemble, and flute choir. These ensembles are coached by studio faculty and perform regularly at studio recitals, library sponsored concerts and off-campus events/functions.  Faculty members regularly perform with and in student ensembles, enabling students to learn "in the moment" from experienced professional chamber musicians.  All students who are majoring in the Bachelor of Music program participate in the chamber music program, with Bachelor of Science Music Education and Bachelor of Arts (Music) students being thoroughly supported to be regularly involved. The chamber music program is also open by audition to all non-music major students from across the campus.