Large Performing Ensembles
The University Choir performs a wide variety of choral literature including Renaissance motets, Romantic works, comtemporary pieces, world music, gospel music, and spirituals. The 50-member ensemble performs on- and off-campus throughout the academic year. The University Choir meets three hours each week, and is open to all Tiffin University students without audition. The choir is conducted by Brad Rees.
The TU Marching Band performs at all home football games and several marching band festivals each year. The band's unique style combines traditional marching shows and more creative presentations of contemporary pop, rock, soul, r&b and funk genres. The band performs annually at regional marching band festivals and professional sporting events. The band rehearses four times weekly throughout the TU football season, and is open to all TU students with instrumental experience. The Marching Auxiliary is comprised of a group of students demonstrating talent in either twirling or color guard, enhancing the marching band performances by breathing life into the music and visually stimulating the audience. The band is directed by Elijah Vazquez with the assistance of Ryan Donini, DeDe Carte and Kelly Fittro.
The Concert Band is open to all wind, brass and percussion players, and performs a variety of classical and pop literature in concerts on campus and in the community. The band presents an annual Holiday Concert in conjunction with the University Choir, and is comprised of members of the marching band. The band rehearses three hours each week beginning the latter half of the fall semester. The band is conducted by Doug Neel.
The Gospel Choir was formed in 1998 as the University's first student-directed group, and quickly became an integral part of the Tiffin University campus community. The choir performs contemporary gospel music in performances on campus and at churches and schools around the area, accompanied by an instrumental combo, and each year hosts a Gospel Choir Festival for groups from around the region. The Gospel Choir is open to all students without audition.
Small Performing Ensembles
Up in the Air is a dynamic vocal group that performs an eclectic repertoire of a cappella jazz, funk, r&b, pop, and world music. The group performs extensively, having appeared before hundreds of audiences throughout the nation and in Europe. Up in the Air has performed with Blessid Union of Souls, beatboxer Kid Beyond, American Idol's Rudy Cardenas and Nicole Tranquillo, Grammy-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, the New York Voices and Rockapella's Sean Altman, who calls the group, "one of the best collegiate groups around!" The group has released four CDs, and has performed and recorded a variety of original compositions and arrangements by its members and director Brad Rees. Please visit Up in the Air's websites at www.upintheair.us and www.myspace.com/acappellanolimits.
Front Street performs an eclectic mix of all original jazz, pop, classical and world beat arrangements, in concerts on campus, in the community, and on tour to high schools throughout the region. The combo is open by audition to select auditioned members of the TU Bands. Front Street spends two weeks each year in the campus recording studio working on original projects for CD release. The group is directed by Elijah Vazquez. Please visit www.myspace.com/tiffinfrontstreet
Higher Ground performs an eclectic repertoire of a cappella music, with emphasis on all-original arrangements of jazz, blues, funk and more. This eight-member vocal ensemble presents public performances each year both off campus and around the community. Higher Ground is directed by Ali Rees. For more information, and a current calendar of performances, please visit Higher Ground's facebook page.
The Commercial Music Combo is comprised of 4-8 vocalists with an accompanying band, and performs a mix of popular styles. The ensemble is directed by Doug Neel .
The Percussion Ensemble usually consists of 4 to 6 players. The group's repertoire includes traditional multi-percussion ensemble compositions, as well as multimedia pieces that include recorded audio and/or midi backtracks. The ensemble is directed by Elijah Vazquez.
The African Drum Ensemble offers students the opportunity to explore the cultural traditions of Western Africa through the medium of music. The Ensemble is comprised of Tiffin University students who are interested in learning and performing the music of other cultures. The repertoire of the African Drum Ensemble includes drumming from various traditions in Africa. The ensemble is directed by Elijah Vazquez.
Grey Sunday meets twice each week in an improvisation workshop setting. The Combo is a more informal and education-oriented group, allowing students the opportunity to work on ensemble playing and jazz/rock/blues improvisation. The group is led by Ryan Donini.
Student-Led Groups: The TU Music Program also supports a variety of student-led bands, singer-songwriters, aspiring rappers and hip-hop artists, and other groups. These students benefit from help booking local gigs and from small recording projects, demos, and assistance developing marketing materials. TU's staff of professional directors serve as advisors and facilitators for these student-led groups.
Tiffin University Music Department ~ 155 Miami St. ~ Tiffin OH 44883
gig@tiffin.edu ~ 419.448.3366 ~ fax 419.443.5016