Love music? Keep playing or singing at Manchester—no music major required!

The Gold and Black Attack (GBA) is Manchester University’s own basketball pep band. The GBA vigorously supports our men’s and women’s basketball teams at all home games, including tournament play. The GBA also promotes school pride, and fosters a relationship with our community. The course is for credit and begins during Manchester University’s January Session. Go Spartans!

The Manchester University Symphonic Band (MUSB) is an all-campus band. The MUSB performs a varied repertoire of wind ensemble music and standard band works. They perform once a year on campus and have toured in Pennsylvania, Chicago, Florida, and Puerto Rico. In addition, MUSB occasionally performs at local high schools, churches, and nursing homes. Rehearsals are during the spring semester on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. Anyone who has participated in his/her high school band for at least two years is eligible.

The Manchester University Jazz Ensemble performs in the big band tradition, but embraces any style that expands its horizons from Dixieland to funk. The ensemble is often invited to provide entertainment at functions throughout the county and performs two shows a year on campus. The Jazz Ensemble tours with the Symphonic Band. They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 5:50 p.m. in the spring and on Fridays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the fall.

The Manchester Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is made up of student, community, and professional musicians. It has been in continuous existence since 1939 and boasts a contributing membership of over 250 run by a board of directors. The MSO performs four concerts a year with a repertoire ranging from Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony to the Sound of Music. They host a concerto competition each year, with a first prize of performing with the symphony. The orchestra meets every Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. Auditions are required, and scholarships are available for those students who qualify.

Named after the numerous oak trees towering over North Manchester’s beautiful campus, the sound of MU’s Oak Leaf Brass is often found throughout annual programming including commencement processionals and recitals. The Oak Leaf Brass is a student driven ensemble and is organized based on student’s individual ability and interest.

Get on the beat with the Percussion Ensemble! Our classically trained percussionists at MU strive to master their craft in rhythm and unify timeless musical melodies.

Nestled within the vibrant musical cultural at Manchester, our ensemble is an integral part of the university’s rich musical tradition. We form a close-knit musical family that embraces creativity, collaboration, and artistic excellence within the classical stringed instruments.

The Manchester University Jazz Combo is the most diverse of the small ensembles. Music selections that range from a typical jazz ballad to a heart-racing bossa, the Jazz Combo knows how to captivate an audience. Fully student run and organized, the ensemble allows students the opportunity to take charge and create wonderful music for anyone and everyone on campus.

Chamber Singers is an ensemble that specializes in music of all styles, composed especially for small groups. This ensemble is auditioned from within the A Cappella Choir. They perform throughout the academic year at area high schools, residential communities and various civic functions. Rehearsals are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. in the Wine Recital Hall.

Opera Workshop is offered during January session or the spring semester each year. Operas are performed in English with supertitles accompanying the performances. Depending on student participation, two opera productions can happen during the same session or semester. Additionally, Opera Workshop can be taken for elective credit.