While it's not necessary to audition for the Concert Choir or Gamelan Ensemble, an audition is required for all other music ensembles.
Chamber Ensembles
Discover the magic of ensemble music with a small group of students from all disciplines. Student groups interested in playing any genre of music are encouraged to sign up. Groups are convened by student musicians and coached by applied faculty members.
Choral Scholars
The USD Choral Scholar program is a generous scholarship program for choral leadership. Student scholars serve as section leaders in two ensembles and complete coursework towards the music minor.
Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is the hub of the choral music program at USD. Comprised of student singers from across campus, this ensemble performs annually at Lessons & Carols as well as a large, choral-orchestral work each spring.
Ensemble X
Ensemble X is USD's new experimental, focusing on contemporary trends in sound art, storytelling and performance.
Gamelan Ensemble
Gain hands-on experience with a vibrant traditional ensemble from the island of Bali in Indonesia. Open to musicians at all skill levels.
Gospel Choir
The USD Gospel Choir performs music from the Black church in programs around campus and throughout the community.
Jazz Ensemble
The USD Jazz Ensemble performs regularly around campus and in the community. In this program, students experience big band, small combos, solo and ensemble improvisation.
Mariachi Ensemble
Join a vibrant collective of students and community members to learn and perform in the Mexican tradition of mariachi. Selected instruments are provided. Singers are welcome, as are instruments beyond those traditionally included in mariachi.
Song, Story, Stage
Song/Story/Stage is an auditioned music and theatre workshop for students interested in opera and musical theatre. In this course, students perform excerpts from longer theatrical works as well as original works for the voice.
USD Strings
Explore the rich and diverse repertoire that is written only for strings. Students who play the violin, viola, cello or bass may enroll in the ensemble every semester.
Vocal Jazz
The Torero Blues is USD's auditioned vocal jazz ensemble for treble voices. The ensemble performs a wide variety of jazz repertoire, including standards as well as new songs written in the jazz idiom.
Wind Ensemble
Dedicated to the performance of contemporary repertoire for winds, brass and percussion, the USD Wind Ensemble performs regularly on campus and in some of the most beautiful venues across the community. The ensemble welcomes experienced musicians from any major to join.