All AU students have many opportunities for musical study and performance, regardless of degree major or minor. In addition to introductory and special topics courses, students can take piano and voice classes as well as study privately in voice, piano and a variety of instruments. They may even choose to learn to play the Davis Memorial Carillon with lessons from the University Carillonneur. Students have unlimited access to fine pianos and practice rooms. String, woodwind and brass instruments are available for rent. The Division of Performing Arts offers a Music Minor.

Music Ensembles

Numerous vocal and instrument ensembles, large and small, abound at AU, providing students with a wide range of opportunities. All ensembles are open to all students. Only Chamber Singers requires an audition. Pictures and sound bytes (where available) can be found on the Previous Performances link below.

University Chorus
The University Chorus is open to any student who enjoys singing and performing in a large mixed vocal ensemble. The group has a reputation for creative programming, including classical selections, jazz and contemporary music, spirituals, folk songs and Broadway hits. an added highlight is an annual performance of a major work with the AU Symphony Orchestra.

Chamber Singers
This is a select group of 25 to 30 singers that performs a wide variety of mostly acappella music, from classical to folk, global, jazz and popular.
The group performs on and off campus, touring internationally every three to four years, the most recent tour (2007) was to Greece and Bulgaria.

AU Symphony Orchestra
The AU Symphony Orchestra offers instrumentalists the opportunity to study and perform music ranging from the Baroque Era to the Twentieth Century. Each semester, visiting artists as well as student soloists are featured in performance with the Orchestra. Bi-annually, the Orchestra joins with the Chorus and Chamber Singers to perform large choral works, such as Orff's "Carmina Burana,” Mozart's "Requiem,” Handel's "Messiah," Bach’s “Magnificat,” and Vivaldi's "Gloria." Auditions are not required.

Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble performs a wide variety of jazz in a standard Big Band setting. Students are encouraged to develop their skills in ensemble playing and to experiment with improvisation.

Concert Band
The Concert Band is open to any student who plays a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument, regardless of major. The repertoire ranges from orchestral transcriptions to original works composed for band or wind ensemble, from the Baroque and Renaissance to the avant-garde.