Band
The Percussion and Winds Ensemble is the largest performing instrumental ensemble at Adams State and is open to all students with prior experience on a band instrument. The ensemble performs several concerts throughout the academic year, hosts the Top of the Nation Honor Band, works with guest artists and clinicians, and regularly commissions and premieres new works for band.
To join, please contact Dr. James Lind at jlind@adams.edu.
Choirs
Chamber Choir
The Adams State Chamber Choir is open to all Adams State students by audition. Chamber Choir is a small ensemble of about twenty-four singers that performs advanced a cappella repertoire ranging from medieval chant to modern works. The Chamber Choir performs at least twice every semester on campus. Additional performance opportunities include performing at local high schools , touring throughout Colorado and appearances at the Denver Collegiate Choral Festival as well as other festivals and conventions.
68 West
The university’s vocal jazz ensemble, 68 West, performs extensively throughout the San Luis Valley. The ten-member a cappella group, under the direction of Dr. Beth Robison, performs a wide variety of jazz and contemporary styles. 68 West has been featured in performances on campus, for public and private community events and in educational programs at San Luis Valley schools. Auditions occur during the summer.
To join, please contact Dr. Beth Robison at brobison@adams.edu
Jazz
The Adams State Jazz Ensemble is made up of music majors, minors, and other participants from the campus community. Under the direction of Professor Melinda Leoce, the group prides itself on performing varied styles of jazz from the United States and abroad including swing, funk, New Orleans second-line, bossa nova, R&B, and more. This is a welcoming and collaborative ensemble which gives students the ability to suggest repertoire and share their ideas freely. The group performs two concerts per semester, in addition to playing other community events and attending jazz festivals in the region. This ensemble is open to any interested student, although former experience in jazz is a plus.
Contact Professor Leocee at mleoce@adams.edu for more details or to observe a rehearsal.
Percussion
Percussion at Adams State, directed by Professor Melinda Leoce, offers a number of exciting percussion ensembles, including steel band, entertainment drumline, samba band, and contemporary percussion ensemble. Other opportunities include performing with concert band, orchestra, jazz and rock ensembles.
Students interested in the Adams State Percussion Ensemble or Grizzly Samba, regardless of past experience, should contact Professor Melinda Leoce at mleoce@adams.edu for more information or to observe a rehearsal or event.
Stipended Chamber Ensembles
These small ensembles are a vital part of the education of music majors at Adams State University. It not only provides an opportunity for students to strengthen their technical and artistic competencies, but also to learn about marketing, event planning, and essential business and professional skills. Adams State chamber ensembles provide service to campus and community events, outreach to the public schools, and assist recruiting efforts for the university.
Students can earn up to $700 a year performing in these ensembles!
Stipended chamber ensembles include:
- Mountain Peak Brass Quartet
- 68 West (vocal jazz)
- Alpine Backbeats Drumline
- Multiple duos and trios
- Grizzly Samba Band
- Desert Winds Woodwind Quintet
- Rocky Mountain Panhandlers
If you would like to book an ensemble for an event, please contact 719-587-7621, or email Kara Espinoza at kespinoza@adams.edu.
