Essential Music

The Kettering Civic Band originated in 1959 as a 12-member ensemble at the Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Kettering, Ohio. In 1960, it became part of the Kettering Adult School and is now sponsored by the City of Kettering as part of its Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. The band consists of about 70 amateur volunteer musicians representing a wide range of professions and vocations, all sharing in the enjoyment of making music.

The Lebanon Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to make the classical music experience educational, attractive, accessible, and affordable for families, and to provide performance opportunities for the advanced musician (the Lebanon Symphony Chorus), the professional musician (the Lebanon Symphony Orchestra), and the aspiring young musician (the Lebanon Symphony Youth Orchestra).

The Choraliers is Miami University’s treble choir. Established in 1908, the Choraliers have presented world premiere performances of commissioned works by major American composers including Dominick DiOrio Ola Gjeilo, and Joan Szymko. They have traveled regionally and have regularly toured internationally to destinations such as Australia, Austria, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland.

Founded in 1907 by Raymond Burke, the Miami Men's Glee Club has maintained a tradition of excellence throughout its first 106 years. The ensemble is comprised of over 100 singers, selected by audition from the Miami University community, open to all majors. The Club is among the oldest and largest groups of its kind in the nation.

The Chamber Singers is Miami University's chamber choir. The ensemble performs a wide range of choral repertoire from the Renaissance era to the contemporary. In addition to their performances on campus, the Chamber Singers have compiled a distinguished record of invited performances at state, divisional and national conferences of MENC and divisional conferences of ACDA and have toured throughout the Midwest where they have established a reputation of excellence in performance.

The Miami University Symphony Orchestra (MUSO), with a history dating back to 1890, is dedicated to the quality performance of the orchestral repertoire from the Baroque era until our days, including world premieres by contemporary composers. The ensemble combines undergraduate and graduate students of all majors in pursue of high artistic standards, as well as the professional and artistic growth of its members. The ensemble has an extensive performance schedule on and off campus, which includes in addition to the orchestral repertoire, a full opera production, concertos with renowned soloists as well as student soloists, choral-symphonic repertoire, ballet and music from other traditions and genres.

Based in Dayton, Ohio, the band has a fully fledged drum core consisting of a bass drum, tenors and snare. They also have a pipe corp made up of solo competitors as well as the "average joe" who loves a parade performance. Whatever your skill level, they will build you into the musician you were meant to be! The band is available for hire as a group or for soloist inquiries for your event.

Founded in 1989, the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra presents programs that entertain, enrich, and inspire our community. This all-volunteer orchestra is comprised of dedicated and accomplished musicians and is pleased to offer concerts ranging from classical and pop to collaborations in dance and musical theater.

The MDSD has taken the traditional music of the mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, autoharp, guitar and other acoustic instruments to all types of events in the Dayton area since the mid 1970s. They are one of the oldest dulcimer groups in the US and their goal is to further the knowledge of the mountain dulcimer (and other folk instruments) to the public.

Musica, Dayton's Chamber Choir, is a 24-voice choir under the baton of Artistic Director Ginger Thomas Minneman that brings vocal excellence through 3-4 concerts a year featuring a wide variety of choral music - from the Baroque to Broadway, madrigals to spirituals, and classics to vocal jazz.

The University of Dayton New Horizons Music Program is an adult music education program founded in 2000. It currently has beginning, intermediate and advanced concert bands; beginning and intermediate string orchestras; intermediate and advanced jazz bands; and several small ensembles. Regular performances are shared with the public.

The ensemble is comprised of professional musicians, active as well as retired educators at the secondary and collegiate levels, students, and lay people from the Ohio Valley. The band's mission is to perform a variety of worthwhile and engaging literature while providing an opportunity for the area's finest brass players to participate in a quality musical ensemble.