Madison College Music offers multiple opportunities to strengthen and share your musical talents. Choose from seven different music ensembles to nurture your passion for music. Each ensemble performs on and off campus focusing on making new connections locally, helping to make Madison and the surrounding area the culturally rich community it is.

Benefits 

  • Improve and practice your skills in your instrument. 
  • Play in group performances and develop skills playing on stage. 
  • Participate in an ensemble, and meet new friends and musicians. 
  • Perform on and off-campus opportunities.  

The Madison College Music ensembles present students with opportunities to perform with vibrant community members on and off-campus, including at the Capitol building, Capitol Brewery, and even in Germany!  

Ensembles

Madison College Big Band

Madison-Truax | Room A1033A/B | Monday | 6:15 - 7:30 pm

The Madison College Big Band is a unique jazz big band that brings together people in all different periods of their life, from Madison College students fresh out of high school to retirees. This ensemble is one of many arts opportunities that Madison College provides, helping to make Madison and the surrounding area the culturally rich community that it is. They meet Monday evenings, and explore many periods of music for a jazz big band, preparing for performances that are held throughout the year. Participation is open to all jazz instrumentalists by audition.

Madison College Chorale

Madison-Truax | Room A1033A/B | Monday | 11:30 am - 12:40 pm 

Madison College Chorale consists primarily of students in the Liberal Arts Transfer, Associate Degree, and certificate-granting programs at Madison College. Students focus on developing performance skills through music featured in a public performance held near the end of the semester, which marks the culmination of their semester experience. Open to all interested Madison College students.

Madison College Choral Collective

Madison-Truax | Room A1033A/B | Thursday | 7 - 9 pm

Madison College Choral Collective is a community-based vocal ensemble comprised of Madison College students and staff, as well as Madison-area community members. This collective of singers finds joy in group singing and fulfilling the ensemble's mission, which is to bring choral performances to campus and the surrounding Madison area. Madison College Choral Collective is a non-audition, inclusive organization. Non-audition and all-inclusive. All are welcome to sing!

Madison College Jazz Combo

Madison-Truax | Room A1033A/B | Monday | 7:45 - 9 pm

The Jazz combo is comprised of vibrant community members and active Madison College students. This ensemble meets weekly to learn jazz theory and learn to improvise while preparing for performances held throughout the year. The Madison College Jazz Combo is planning a tour in Germany in the Summer of 2023. No previous jazz performance experience is necessary. Open to all interested jazz instrumentalists.

Madison College Municipal Band

Madison-Truax | Room A1033A/B | Wednesday | 7:30 - 9 pm

Rehearsing weekly on Wednesday evenings, the mission of the ensemble is to contribute positively to the musical environment of the Madison College arts community and the community at large through the performance of quality wind literature in a wide range of styles. The ensemble provides for its membership a continuing opportunity for personal involvement in the arts while fostering an environment for musical expression, appreciation, growth, and collegiality. Participation is open to all wind, brass, and percussion players by informal audition.

Madison College World Drumming Ensemble

Madison-Truax | Room A1033B | Tuesday/Thursday | 11:30 am- 12:20 pm

Madison College World Drumming Ensemble is a high-energy ensemble comprised of Madison College students. The ensemble focuses on world drumming techniques and styles both directly from Brazil and influenced by Afro-Cuban rhythms. Previous drumming experience and the ability to read music are not required. No audition is required and open to all students.

Madison Community Orchestra (MCO) Meetings

Madison-Truax | Room A1033A/B | Tuesday | 7:15-9:30 pm

MCO is an ensemble of approximately 80 musicians of varying ages and abilities from the Madison area. Conducted by Dr. Blake Walter, the group is committed to the growth and continuing education of amateur musicians through regular rehearsals and performances. In classic community orchestra style, rehearsals are fun and musically formative; concerts are enthusiastically performed and received. The MCO rehearses weekly and performs four concerts annually, including the popular Holiday Concert in the State Capitol Rotunda.

Events

Every ensemble performs at least one concert in the Mitby Theater.

Events vary for each ensemble.

Ways to Join 

  • If you are a student enrolled in any degree-credit course at Madison College, you do not need to register for most music ensembles and can participate for free, except for World Drumming Ensemble and Chorale.
  • If you are a student or community member not taking degree credits at Madison College, you can still join the community ensembles by registering for non-degree credit through Continuing Education - Music and Dance.
  • If you would like to earn degree credit for your participation, you will need to enroll in one of the music department courses.

Have questions?

Contact Tim Patterson at TRPatterson@madisoncollege.edu or 608.243.4468 or Jamie Kember at jkember@madisoncollege.edu.