Instrumental Ensembles, Certificate and Degree Programs

Overview

Collin College is home to several ensembles and musical groups, allowing you to explore your abilities with other like-minded musicians in a comfortable setting. College facilities even provide a venue to share your talent with the world. 

Check with individual directors for audition music and requirements. All Collin College ensembles are "Lab required" courses, meaning, they meet for three contact (aka rehearsal) hours per week and students earn one credit hour. Prerequisite for most ensembles is an Audition.

 

Instrumental Ensembles


Major instrumental ensembles may include but are not limited to concert band, marching band, collaborative piano, jazz band, and orchestra. Additionally, participation in a large band concentrating on jazz and commercial music performance styles. Consisting of 16-21 instrumentalists and one vocalist, the band performs both traditional and contemporary jazz literature. A number of performances both on and off campus are given each semester.

Contact Kevin McNerney at KMcNerney@collin.edu


The Collin College Wind Symphony focuses on the study and performance of traditional and contemporary symphonic wind band literature.  The ensemble is open to all Collin College students with performance experience in concert or marching band settings.  Basic instrumental proficiency is required.  Students participate in weekly rehearsals and perform on scheduled concerts.  No audition is required to enroll in the course, but the director will hear students individually for part assignments.  Students are encouraged to prepare a short solo or etude that demonstrates their strengths.

Contact Travis Smith at TRSmith@collin.edu


Performs experimental, avant-garde, electronic, and contemporary music for mixed media ensemble including compositions by student composers. No Audition required at this time.

Contact Chris Morgan at CMorgan@collin.edu


Traditional piano literature for multiple performers and arrangements for electronic keyboard ensemble. Several performances each semester.

Plano Campus, contact Brian Allison at BAllison@collin.edu

Wylie Campus, contact Natalya N. Pitts at NPitts@collin.edu


A small ensemble (4-6) of musicians who serve as the rhythm selection for the Expressions Vocal Jazz ensemble. In addition to rehearsing and performing with Expressions, the combo also prepares its own arrangements and performs as an independent ensemble. Typical repertoire includes bebop, Latin, and fusion standards. This ensemble may have several performances each semester. This group may have an annual tour. 

A small instrumental ensemble may include but are not limited to wind, string, percussion, piano, and mixed ensembles in various styles. Students participate in weekly rehearsals and perform on scheduled concerts. Basic instrumental proficiency is required. 

Plano Campus, Contact Kathy Morgan at KMorgan@collin.edu

Wylie Campus, contact Dr. Kimberly Harris at KHarris@collin.edu


A small group of guitarists performs traditional classical repertoire.

Contact Dr. Fernand Vera at FVera@collin.edu


A small group of string players performs traditional classical repertoire.

Contact Dr. Alicja Usarek at AUsarek@collin.edu


Examples of small instrumental ensembles may include but are not limited to wind, string, percussion, piano, and mixed ensembles in various styles. Additionally, participation in a small jazz ensemble concentrating on jazz and commercial music performance styles. Ensemble consists of 4-9 instrumental / vocal members. Repertoire includes instrumental and vocal music typical of small jazz groups. A number of performances both on and off campus are given each semester.

Contact Pete Weise at PWeise@collin.edu


Participation in a rock ensemble concentrating on commercial music performance styles. Prerequisite: Audition and consent of Associate Dean/Director. 

Contact: JMoreno@collin.edu

 

 

 

 

Department Advising Contacts

Collin College Music and Field of Study, Voice and Opera

Prof. Casey L. Carter

ccarter@collin.edu 

Choirs, Theory, and General Music Advising

Prof. Kathy Morgan

kmorgan@collin.edu 

Composition, Commercial Music Majors and Certificates

Dr. Chris Morgan

cmorgan@collin.edu 

Frisco Campus Music Studies

Dr. Kimberly Harris

kharris@collin.edu 

Guitar Studies and Field of Study Music Majors

Dr. Fernand Vera

fvera@collin.edu 

Jazz Studies Advising

Pete Weise

pweise@collin.edu 

Keyboard Studies Advising

Dr. Brian Allison

ballison@collin.edu 

McKinney Campus Music Studies

Dr. Alicja Usarek

ausarek@collin.edu 

 

If you want to learn more about other music programs, please visit Music Department.