The ensemble is led by one of our faculty members. They are responsible for selecting the repertoire, arranging the tunes, guiding rehearsals, and booking performances if the group is a performing band. Often the leader will also play with the group.

Ensembles can be formed for almost any style of music. The only requirement is that the group attracts enough students on different instruments to populate the band. Presently we have jazz, bluegrass, and vocal ensembles, but there are also faculty available to lead bands in rock, blues, original, Dixieland, classical styles and more.

There are two levels in our Ensemble program.

Level I Ensembles
Level I Ensembles meet for 16 weeks in weekly 90-minute sessions. Though they work on building a song repetoire, there are no long-range goals or performances. These players, generally advanced beginning through intermediate, focus on the mechanics and art of group playing.

Level II Ensembles
Level II Ensembles are on-going groups whose players make a minimum one-year commitment. Made up of more experienced intermediate and advanced players, these ensembles make longer range in terms of repertoire, performing and promotion. Most Level II players participate for 2-3 years. These ensembles are for musicians dedicated to the "long haul" with professional or more serious amateur musical ambitions.

The Cost
Ensemble players pay a fee of $100 every six weeks. WBSM provides the faculty leader/coordinator, rehearsal space and, when needed, PA equipment for rehearsal. Players and singers provide their own instrument (except acoustic piano) and related gear such as amplifiers, straps, cords, vocal microphones, etc.

How Do I Start?
Anyone can apply to be in an ensemble. Call us at 612.333.6651 or email us at info@westbankmusic.org.
If you are interested in a Level 1 or Level 2 ensemble, please fill out a registration form. WBSM uses this information to match players into the right group. New Level 1 or Level 2 ensembles can start whenever we have enough players for a particular ensemble and the leader will determine a meeting time convenient to all players.
Click here for the Ensemble Registration Form (Acrobat PDF) Ensembles are being formed right now! Give us a call at 612.333.6651 for more information!

Ensembles

African Music Siama Matuzungidi	American Folk Music Dale Dahlquist	Balkan Folk Music Nickolai Kolarov	Bluegrass Bill Philipp	Blues Jim Ouska
Classical Chris Moody	Dixieland Paul Fonfara	Drum Corps Curly Martin	Fusion Maggie Roston	Gospel and Blues
Jazz Paul Renz	Original Chris Moody	Rock Chris Moody	Teen Rock Chris Moody	Vocal Bobbi Miller

Click here for more information about Group Classes.