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Your academics and your love of music can continue in harmony at Austin College.

You’ve spent years in lessons, rehearsals, concerts, and contests. You’ve poured your heart into your music, so don’t leave it behind as you consider your college choices. Maybe a music major or minor is right for you—but maybe it isn’t. At Austin College we want you to be a part of our ensembles, regardless of your intended major. Every quality ensemble, from our fantastic choirs to our exciting bands to our amazing orchestras, is open to every AC student who has the ability to pass an audition.

You have choices for where you study music. Here’s why you should be at Austin College.

Choirs & Voice

AC choral music has something for every singer, from the Austin College A Cappella Choir to several small vocal ensembles. Singing music of the Pentatonix to Palestrina, the choirs have talented members from every major on campus, and music scholarships to sing in vocal ensembles are available to non-majors as well as to majors and minors.

AC’s choirs regularly perform choral masterworks and opera with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. The A Cappella Choir tours regionally and periodically makes an international tour.

Opera Workshop and Music Theater

Periodically presenting full one-act operas and opera scenes, our Opera Workshop fits into the busy department schedule in a way that allows our non-major voice students to perform. Music theater productions are joint projects of the theater and music departments and feature the best both departments have to offer. The casts for all productions are chosen through auditions that are open to all AC students.

Voice Lessons

Students who are participating in our vocal ensembles may take lessons from our talented voice faculty. Opportunities for studio recitals, NATS competition, and leadership of ensembles happens on a regular basis.

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Strings

AC has great opportunities for string players, whether you major in music or not. Our orchestras include members from every other AC major and are open by audition to all students. Non-major string scholarships are available. You’ve spent years training and perfecting your music—continue playing in orchestra at AC.

Chamber Orchestra

This string ensemble plays a wide variety of music in many different settings and sometimes includes wind instruments. The Chamber Orchestra is featured in a chamber concert each semester as well as collaborating with the AC Choirs in the annual Lessons and Carols Christmas service and other opportunities.

Sherman Symphony Orchestra

Play alongside professional musicians and perform at the highest level in the 75 member Sherman Symphony Orchestra. The SSO performs masterworks, pops, and educational children’s concerts each season in the beautiful Kidd-Key Auditorium, with monthly TV broadcasts of SSO concerts. Some seasons include run-out concerts and collaborations with the local regional theater on musicals. This symphonic orchestra experience is available to all AC students by audition, and string scholarships are available for membership in the SSO.

String Lessons

Students participating in string ensembles at Austin College may take lessons from our talented string faculty. Recital performances and other opportunities are part of the applied music experience. This is a great way to make the sort of progress on your instrument that you’ve always wanted. Lessons are available to non-majors, too.

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Winds, Brass, Percussion

The band program at AC is an exciting collection of ensembles and opportunities that attract students from across the AC campus. Students from every major play in AC bands, and we have scholarships for non-majors as well as majors. Unlike your high school band experience, our ensembles don’t rehearse every day. You can continue your love of the band experience and still have time for your academic life!

Wind Symphony

AC’s concert band is the premier ensemble for woodwinds, brass, and percussion players. Performing a wide range of music the Wind Symphony performs concerts each semester on and off campus. Find your home on campus with the people who speak band like you do!

‘Roo Band

AC’s newest ensemble, the pep band, has been bringing a new excitement and enthusiasm to AC sports. Playing at football games and other athletic events, the ‘Roo Band has also made appearances on campus in pop-up concerts and played for the Board of Trustees. Like to show your school spirit? Like to have a good time? This group is for you—and we even have pep band scholarships.

Jazz Band

If you love jazz and playing in a big band setting, the AC Jazz Band is for you. This ensemble of 20 members plays from both the standard and contemporary literature. Regularly scheduled appearances throughout the year include those on campus and at various area colleges and high schools, providing valuable solo and ensemble performance experience to anyone qualified and interested in jazz performance.

Instrument Lessons

Students participating in the bands at Austin College may take lessons from our talented instrumental faculty. Recital performances and other opportunities are part of the applied music experience. This is a great way to make the sort of progress on your instrument that you’ve always wanted. Lessons are available to non-majors, too.

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Piano, Organ