Ensemble Information

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) seeks to promote and challenge talented orchestral musicians by providing an opportunity to perform repertoire of a wide variety of styles and historical periods with the goal of musical excellence. Membership in MYSO consists of junior high and high school students from surrounding communities as well as students from Joliet Junior College and Lewis University. MYSO performs several times throughout the year on and off campus.

University Jazz Band is open to all students by audition. The group rehearses Thursday afternoons in Ives Hall. In addition to representing the music department at events on and off campus, the jazz band performs a major concert at the end of each semester.

Rock Band fosters the growth of both its members and its audience through contemporary popular music. By sharing the experience of making great music, we connect to other times, to other places, and to one another in mind and spirit. Our performances bring an awareness and understanding of that connection to our campus, community, and world.

Recording Ensemble is a music recording and technology class available to all students at Lewis University. In this ensemble, students work on a collaborative creative project, learn about live sound reinforcement, produce music concerts and events, and record and archive concerts presented on campus. This ensemble typically meets Monday and Wednesdays.

Altitude is an extra-curricular, non-credit ensemble of 8-12 singers specializing in close harmony and jazz singing. Singers develop vocal ensemble skills as well as the ability to sing on individual microphones. Enrollment in one other music department ensemble is required.

Gospel Choir welcomes all Lewis students who are interested in exploring and performing a variety of gospel music such as traditional a cappella hymns, anthems, spirituals to urban contemporary and inspirational songs. Gospel Choir is composed of a diverse group of singers and musicians, and a leadership team that helps with the planning of annual events, performances, and workshops. Although Gospel Music includes praise and worship songs, members are NOT required to be affiliated with a church or mandated to have a religious background. Participation in Gospel Choir helps build vocal and performance experience, team collaboration, and awareness of possible careers associated with the gospel and entertainment industry.

All members of Gospel Choir (singers and musicians) are expected to meet for weekly rehearsals on Mondays at 7pm and to participate in scheduled events or performances. A choir calendar will be provided monthly each semester and designated uniform attire should be followed.

Harmonic Uprising is a non-credit, student led and directed a cappella vocal ensemble.