Jazz Ensemble
Directed by Robert Hughes, the Saint Louis University Jazz Ensemble provides students with an opportunity for serious jazz performance. The band is a standard big band: 5 trumpets, 5 trombones, 5 saxophones, and a rhythm section consisting of piano, bass, and drums with options for additional percussion and guitar. The Jazz Ensemble performs music from all parts of the big band repertoire including the classics of Duke Ellington and Count Basie as well as the works of newer writers like Bob Mintzer and Maria Schneider. Additional instruction in improvisation and jazz theory supplements the regular ensemble rehearsals. Seating in the band is dependent on results of an audition at the beginning of the semester, and the band is limited to the above instrumentation. For more information, contact Robert Hughes.

Billiken Band
Qualified instrumentalists should consider performing with the Billiken Band, a 100+ member pep band sponsored through the Athletic Department, and directed by Dr. Beczkala, an energetic alumnus who is also principal of Parkview Elementary School in Columbia, Illinois. For more information, call Saint Louis University Athletics at (314) 977-3177, or contact Dr. Mike Beczkala at (618) 282-4997.

Saint Louis University Mastersingers
The Mastersingers is the select vocal ensemble at Saint Louis University. The ensemble has been in existence for over twenty years and enjoys the reputation of being an outstanding performing group, specializing in the singing of madrigals. In the past few years the madtersingers have added vocal jazz and contemporary literature to their reperoire. They have toured extensively in the U.S., appeared on radio and television, and recorded two musical compact discs. With an additional six singers to the usual twelve members of the group, the Mastersingers made their first European concert tour in the spring of 1995 and a concert tour of Italy in the spring of 1998.

Saint Louis University Chorale
The University Chorale provides another chance to perform vocally. It is open for auditions to the entire Saint Louis University community. Several concerts are given throughout the school year, but the primary event is the Christmas concert of Lessons and Carols given at St. Francis Xavier College Church, where the Chorale is often joined by the Mastersingers and an orchestra or brass ensemble.

Additional Opportunities
The Saint Louis University Music Program also allows students who have received permission from the faculty to participate in ensembles at Washington University under the direction of Dan Presgrave. Contact Professor Robert Hughes for more information.