Music Ensembles

NCCU ensembles are open to majors and non-majors alike. From big band to choir, we have an ensemble for everyone!

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  • Jazz Combo at Lincoln Center
  • Sound Machine Band
  • Vocalists singing
  • choir performing
  • Jazz ensemble on stage

    Choral Ensembles

    University Choir Singing

    NC Central University Choir

    The NC Central University Choir is an ensemble of vocalists that focuses on the performance of a varied body of choral literature.

    Operatorio Performance: Handel's Messiah

    NCCU Operatorio Performance Ensemble

    The NCCU Operatorio Performance Ensemble brings opera and oratorio together, celebrating and performing compositions representing both of these traditions.

    Singer outside

    NC Central Kizazi Chorale

    NC Central Kizazi Chorale is a small chorale of singers selected from the University Choir. Their name comes from the Swahili word “kizazi,” defined by director Roberta Laws as “legacy.”

    Marching Band and Symphonic Ensembles

    Marching band in dark uniform

    NCCU Sound Machine Marching Band

    The NCCU Sound Machine is a marching band that performs at all home games and select away games during the football season. The Sound Machine is a central feature of the university, with many performances with audiences of over 80,000.

    Athletic Pep Band Playing

    NCCU Athletic Pep Band

    The NCCU Athletic Pep Band is a subset of the NCCU band that focuses on promoting school spirit at University events.

    Jazz Ensembles

    NCCU Big Band performing

    NCCU Jazz Ensemble (Big Band)

    The NCCU Jazz Ensemble provides instrumentalists with the opportunity to study advanced concepts in the performance of classic, standard and contemporary big band jazz literature.

    Jazz Studies Photo

    NCCU Jazz Combos

    Jazz Combos I and II are instrumental groups comprising a rhythm section (piano, bass and drums) and two to four horns. Their repertoire consists of mainstream jazz, contemporary jazz and jazz-rock.

    Vocal Jazz Ensembles

    Vocal jazz ensemble

    NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble

    The NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble provides vocalists with the opportunity to study advanced concepts in the performance of classic, standard and contemporary vocal ensemble jazz literature for small and large vocal jazz choirs.

    vocal combo

    NCCU Vocal Jazz Combo

    The NCCU Jazz Vocal Combo consists of a rhythm section (piano, bass and drums) and three to six vocalists. Their repertoire consists of mainstream jazz, contemporary jazz and jazz-rock.

    Are you interested in joining one of the following ensembles? Express your interest with this form!

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    Student playing electronic music.

    NCCU Electronic Music Ensemble

    The NCCU Electronic Music Ensemble focuses on the performance of contemporary electronic music.

    Playing guitar

    NCCU Guitar Ensemble

    The Guitar Ensemble renders masterful renditions of classical, jazz and world music repertoire on acoustic and electric guitars. 

    Prof Trowers

    NCCU Brass Ensemble

    The NCCU Brass Ensemble focuses on practicing and performing repertoire tailored exclusively to brass instruments.

    Percussion ensemble

    NCCU Percussion Ensemble

    The NCCU Percussion Ensemble learns and performs music specifically tailored to percussion instruments.

    Tim Holley

    NCCU String Ensemble

    The NCCU String Ensemble focuses on practicing and performing music exclusively tailored to string instruments.

    Student playing the cello.

    NCCU Chamber Ensemble

    The NCCU Chamber Music Ensembles is a small instrumental group that performs music with a single person on each part.