Instrumental Ensembles
El Camino offers a variety of chamber, band, jazz, and symphonic ensembles which perform regularly on campus through Center for the Arts and in the community. All instrumental ensembles require the participant to be able to perform music of moderate/intermediate difficulty on their respective instrument. Sheet music and folders will be issued to all students. The ECC Instrumental Music Department has a limited number of instruments which may be checked out for use in the ensembles. Enrollment in the appropriate class is required for membership. See below for requirements for each ensemble. Class meeting times can be found in the Online Class Schedule.
For more information about Instrumental Ensembles, please contact David Moyer, Director of Instrumental Music, at (310) 660-3593 x 3038 or dmoyer@elcamino.edu.
Jump to Chamber Music Ensembles Concert Band Symphony Orchestra Jazz Bands
Chamber music ensembles are offered for credit or non-credit. Each chamber music ensemble (listed below) rehearses and performs literature for combinations of like or mixed instruments. The ensembles include trios, quartets, quintets and larger ensembles, and may be combined with other types of instruments to complete the instrumentation appropriate to the selected literature. Performances are held on campus and in the community.
Woodwind Ensembles – Students receive college credit by enrolling in Woodwind Ensembles (Music 260); non-credit participation is available by enrolling in Woodwind Ensembles for the Older Adult (Music 560). Audition is required for membership.
Brass Ensembles – Students receive college credit by enrolling in Brass Ensembles (Music 261); non-credit participation is available by enrolling in Brass Ensembles for the Older Adult (Music 561). Audition is required for membership.
Percussion Ensembles – Students receive college credit by enrolling in Percussion Ensembles (Music 262); non-credit participation is available by enrolling in Percussion Ensembles for the Older Adult (Music 562). Audition is not required, but previous band/ensemble experience or ability to perform music of moderate difficulty on percussion instruments is recommended.
The concert band is a non-audition ensemble for woodwind, brass, and percussion students of intermediate level or higher. It is dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of the finest traditional and contemporary wind band literature. Part assignment and seating within the section is based on ability. Returning students will have priority over first time students for part assignments within the section. The Concert Band performs concerts in Marsee Auditorium in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Other performance opportunities include concerts in the community at a variety of locations and functions.
Students receive college credit by enrolling in Symphonic Band (Music 265); non-credit participation is available by registering in Community Band for the Older Adult (Music 565).
The Symphony Orchestra is an audition orchestra for students who can play at an intermediate level or higher. It is dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of the finest traditional and contemporary orchestral literature. Auditions take place at the first class meeting.
The Symphony Orchestra performs in the Marsee Auditorium three times per year. Concert repertoire includes works for string and full orchestras, as well as solo and choral accompanying.
Students receive college credit by enrolling in Symphony Orchestra (Music 268); non-credit participation is available by enrolling in Orchestra for the Older Adult (Music 570). Audition is required for membership.
El Camino College Jazz Band Program
Students and members of the community with the ability to play at an intermediate level or higher on a standard jazz band instrument are welcome to audition for membership in a Jazz Band. Performances are held on campus and in the community including local jazz clubs, schools and jazz festivals.
Jazz Band Auditions
Location: Band Room (Marsee Auditorium Building 130)
Concert Jazz Band
Concert Jazz Band (Music 267) is El Camino College's flagship Jazz ensemble. It is a competitive large ensemble designed to prepare advanced music students for working in professional musical situations. Repertoire focuses on a variety of Big Band stylistic periods with a central focus on contemporary Jazz Big Band arrangements. This ensemble performs concerts on campus and at local jazz clubs, in addition to competing in festivals. Repertoire draws from resources such as: Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, Stan Kenton Band, Mingus Big Band, Big Phat Band, Clayton-Hamilton Big Band, Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, John Daversa Big Band, and others.
Studio Jazz Band
Studio Jazz Band (Music 266) is El Camino College's preparatory Jazz ensemble. It focuses on introducing intermediate music students to the standard big band repertoire, section playing, ensemble blend, and developing stylistic jazz interpretation skills. Repertoire will draw from resources such as: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Fletcher Henderson, Sammy Nestico, and other composers of the Swing-era period.