Conductor: Tony Oliver
Rehearsals: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
The Augustana Percussion Ensemble is a chamber group that performs music specifically written for the percussion ensemble from 1930 to the present. The ensemble also performs various transcriptions and arrangements of music never imagined for percussion (but that we think sound pretty good).
The ensemble’s crowd-pleasing concerts present a diverse mix of musical styles—from light to serious to “out there”—and participants play traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments of all kinds. The group serves as a place of additional training for the percussionists in Augustana’s larger ensembles, and as a percussive outlet to anyone on campus interested in percussion or percussion music.
The large percussion ensemble is open to any student without audition. Auditioned groups are selected from the larger group to play advanced literature as their desires or abilities allow.
The large group rehearses on average one hour per week, and performs two major concerts per year. In addition, the ensemble sometimes presents small outreach concerts to the community.
Augustana's Dr. Jon Hurty has received the Harold A. Decker Award from the Illinois Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions to choral music. He has been creating memorable performances with Augustana students since 1996.
Members of Phi Mu Alpha–Zeta Beta sang love songs to surprised students, faculty and staff in classrooms and offices across campus on Valentine’s Day. The music fraternity rehearsed for months, and delivered no fewer than 100 vocal valentines.
Augustana's Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Michael Zemek, will collaborate with high school choirs from Davenport Central, Davenport North and Pleasant Valley High Schools to perform "Anne Frank: A Living Voice" on March 4 at 5:30 p.m.
The Augustana Choir will perform a home concert after returning from their tour of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.
The Augustana Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. James Lambrecht, will tour the East Coast in March, concluding with a home concert in Centennial Hall in April.
Students in pursuit of a vocal career will compete for monetary awards. Faculty judges select winners in two divisions at this award recital.
