Ensembles at USD

The USD Music Department encourages all students to make music part of their lives at USD and offers a diverse range of performance ensemble experiences.

Ensembles, Choirs and Choral Scholars

Chamber Music Ensembles Chamber Music Ensembles Director: Angela Yeung, PhD The Chamber Music Ensembles provides an opportunity for students and community members from all disciplines to discover the wonders and delights of playing chamber music.
Choral Scholars Choral Scholars Director: Emilie Amrein, DMA The Choral Scholars is a vocal ensemble composed of select students of high academic caliber and possessing exceptional vocal ability, coupled with a unique scholarship program.
Concert Choir Concert Choir Director: Emilie Amrein, DMA Concert Choir is a vocal ensemble of students from across the campus community dedicated to the performance of choral repertoire for mixed ensemble, men's, and women's voices.
Gamelan Ensemble Gamelan Ensemble Director: Tyler Yamin, MFA and co-directed by Alexander Khalil, PhD Gamelan Ensemble offers students and community members hands-on experience with a vibrant traditional ensemble from the island of Bali in Indonesia.  Open to musicians at all skill levels.
Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble Director: Justin Grinnell Jazz Ensemble is open to vocalists and all instrumentalists and offers experiences in big band, small combos, solo and ensemble imporivsation.
Mariachi Ensemble Mariachi Ensemble Director: Serafin Paredes, M.Ed Mariachi Ensemble offers students and community members the opportunity 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.
Opera Workshop Opera Workshop Director: Ron Shaheen, PhD and Ryan Scrimger The Opera workshop is a production of operas and musicals – coaching, directing and staging – featuring students taking MUSIC 154/354. Auditions may be required
USD Strings USD Strings Director: Angela Yeung, PhD The USD Strings explores the amazingly rich and diverse repertoire that is written only for strings. Students who play the violin, viola, cello or double bass may enroll in the ensemble every semester.
USD Bands USD Bands Director: Jeff Malecki, DMA Though in existence in various forms and times throughout the University’s history, 2015 marks the first ever formalized band program for USD. With support across campus from Athletics, the Provost’s Office, and the College of Arts and Sciences, a new full-time faculty member and commitment to resources is paving the way like never before for an exciting new addition to the Music Department, and campus community!

How to Audition

Music Majors: An audition is not required to become a music major, but is required to qualify for some scholarships and to select the performance emphasis within the music major with emphasis (this is normally done at the end of the first year of study). Incoming students interested in applying for the Music Endowment Scholarship or other scholarships must complete the audition requirement by early spring of each year. Please contact Ron Shaheen, PhD at (619) 260-7653, or via email at rshaheen@sandiego.edu for an appointment for an on-campus audition.

Music Minors: An audition is not required to become a music minor.

Ensembles: Except for the Concert Choir and the Gamelan Ensemble, an audition is required for all music ensembles. Students interested in joining the Concert Choir or Gamelan Ensemble may enroll without an audition.

Choral Scholars: Students interested in auditioning for the Choral Scholars may contact Emilie Amrein, DMA, at amrein@sandiego.edu. For more information, please visit Choral Scholars.

Chamber Music Ensembles: Students interested in joining Chamber Music Ensembles must audition every semester. To sign up, please contact Angela Yeung, PhD for an appointment. You may audition anytime during the summer until the first day of class in the fall.

Jazz Ensemble: Students interested in joining the Jazz Ensemble may contact Justin Grinnel, Director - USD Jazz Ensemble, via email at justingrinnel@sandiego.edu. For more information, please visit Jazz Ensemble.