Instrumental Music
Symphonic Winds
Symphonic Winds meets Monday and Wednesday from 4:20-6 p.m. and on Thursday evening from 6:15-7:15 p.m. in Dingeldine Music Center. This select group of 65 students rehearses the highest quality concert band literature in preparation for their formal concerts and tours. Each semester the Winds perform three to five times both on and off campus. Comprised of a large number of music majors, this ensemble also includes outstanding musicians who are not majoring or minoring in music. These students represent most of the academic programs available at the university.
For information contact Dr. Monte Grise, mgrise@fsmail.bradley.edu.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band meets Tuesday and Thursday from 4:20-6 p.m. in Dingeldine Music Center. This group of 85 students rehearses and performs outstanding band literature. Students in this band represent most of the major programs on the Bradley campus. Ensembles at Bradley are "free of charge" meaning a student can maintain their academic program without incurring any additional cost to participate in the band. Students earn credit and a grade. Some scholarships for the concert band program exist and are awarded each fall following auditions.
For information contact Dr. Monte Grise, conductor, mgrise@fsmail.bradley.edu.
Jazz at Bradley
The jazz program at Bradley includes a big band, a New Orleans brass band, a combo and courses in jazz improvisation and jazz history.
The Bradley Jazz Ensemble is the most visible ensemble in the Bradley jazz program. In past years, they have performed at regional jazz festivals and even traveled to Europe. Each spring, the Bradley Jazz Festival is held on campus that features a world-renowned artist. The Jazz Ensemble is also known for their tribute concerts – past tributes have included Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra and “A Tribute to the Golden Age of Swing.”
The Hilltop Jazz Combo is made up of the finest improvisers on campus. They perform frequently both on and off campus, including a recurring gig at the Fieldhouse Bar and Grill.
The Groove Project learns all music aurally from recordings and performs in a variety of styles including jazz, funk, blues and New Orleans brass band music.
All Bradley jazz groups are open, by audition, to any student, regardless of their major.
For more information about Jazz at Bradley, contact Dr. Todd Kelly at (309) 677-2597, or tkelly@bradley.edu.
Basketball Band
The Bradley Basketball Band supports men’s and women’s basketball musically, and enthusiastically, at all home games. The band travels downtown to Carver Arena for the men’s games and they play on campus in the Renaissance Coliseum for the women’s games. Post-season play is also supported by the band which includes travel out of state. Over 100 students are a part of this band that is open to all Bradley students by audition. There is even a rock band that is a part of this ensemble.
For more information about the Bradley Basketball Band, contact Dr. Monte Grise at mgrise@fsmail.bradley.edu.
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble rehearses Tuesday evenings and performs one or two performances each semester. All Bradley students are welcome and most are performing in other large ensembles on campus. A typical concert fills the stage with equipment as Bradley provides outstanding percussion instruments for our students.
For more information about the Percussion Ensemble, contact Ms. Peggy Bonner at pbonner@bradley.edu.
Saxophone Ensemble
The Saxophone Quartets and Quintets perform each semester. The two saxophone quartets specialize in original quartet works for saxophone and also some transcriptions. The saxophone quintet, an ensemble unique in all the world to Bradley, is primarily playing transcriptions of works from a wide area of periods and composers. Bradley students benefit from the library of the Illinois Saxophone Quintet, a well-known ensemble formed in 1972 that performed world-wide.
For more information about the Saxophone Ensemble, contact Mr. Dan Burke dburke@bradley.edu.