Music Ensembles
The Swinney Conservatory of Music is proud to offer many performance opportunities. Students of any major are encouraged to participate. Scholarships are available, and there are chances to perform with various chamber groups or as soloists in recitals held throughout the year.
Vocal Music Program
Chorale: The Central Methodist University Chorale is CMU’s premier auditioned mixed-voice ensemble, bringing together singers from a wide variety of academic majors and backgrounds. Founded in 1932 as a student-led organization, the CMU choral program has a long tradition of excellence and musical outreach. The Chorale maintains an active performance schedule that includes campus concerts, regional and national tours, and performances in churches, schools, and communities throughout Missouri and beyond. Past highlights include appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association State Convention and the American Choral Directors Association National Conference, as well as numerous regional and national tours. Through performance and touring, the Chorale serves as a musical ambassador for Central Methodist University. Membership is open to students of any major by audition.
Conservatory Singers: The Central Methodist University Conservatory Singers is a mixed-voice ensemble open to students who want to continue singing and making music as part of their university experience. The ensemble welcomes singers from across the CMU campus and provides opportunities to develop musicianship, vocal skills, and ensemble artistry in an encouraging and collaborative environment. Conservatory Singers performs a broad range of choral literature and regularly participates in university concerts, special events, and collaborative performances with the CMU Chorale and other musicians. The ensemble provides students with the opportunity to build lasting friendships, contribute to the musical life of the university, and experience the joy and community of singing together. Membership is open to CMU students from all majors and academic programs.
Opera: Every year, the CMU Opera troupe performs at least one full-length opera. This ensemble is open to everyone! While you must audition in order to receive a mainstage role, no audition is required to participate in the chorus. These operas are fully staged, fully costumed, and occur in either Linn UMC or The Little Theatre.
Past seasons include:
2023 - Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss (performed in English)
2024 - Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) by W. A. Mozart (performed with a chamber orchestra in Italian with English recitatives)
2025 - Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck (performed in English) & Trial by Jury by Gilbert & Sullivan
2026 - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) by W. A. Mozart (performed with a chamber orchestra in German with English dialogue)
2027 - A Hand of Bridge by Samuel Barber, The Old Maid and the Thief by Gian Carlo Menotti, The Telephone by Menotti, & Amahl and the Night Visitors by Menotti
Instrumental Music Program
Concert Band: The CMU Concert Band is open to students by audition and is the premier wind band at Central Methodist University. Founded in 1910, the Central Band has a proud tradition of musical excellence and has conducted an annual spring tour since 1927, making it one of the university's longest-standing traditions. The ensemble has earned significant state and national recognition, including ten appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference, three performances at the National Music Educators Conference, and recorded six albums of circus marches. In addition to its historic touring tradition, the Concert Band presents two on-campus concerts each spring. The ensemble performs high-quality wind band literature, drawing from both the standard repertoire and contemporary works, while striving to provide exceptional artistic and educational experiences for its members and audiences.
Jazz Band: Founded in 1951, the Central Methodist University Jazz Ensemble boasts a storied tradition of excellence and is one of the university's longest-standing performing ensembles. The ensemble specializes in both standard jazz repertoire and contemporary works in the genre, providing students with diverse performance experiences and stylistic training. Comprised of approximately 16 auditioned musicians, the Jazz Ensemble presents two concerts each year and continues a legacy of outstanding jazz performance that spans more than seven decades.
Marching Band: The Sound of Central marching band is open to all students on campus who play either wind or percussion instruments. The band plays at all home CMU Football games as well as hosts the annual CMU Band Day high school marching competition.
Worship Ensemble Program
Worship Ensembles: Our Worship Ensembles provide opportunities in chapel and other through other performances to use to use your musical gifts and Christian faith to serve our campus and community. We welcome students with skills in voice, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drum set, percussion, and audio/visual production.
Chamber Ensembles
Chamber Ensembles are formed every semester for musicians interested in developing their chamber music skills. Brass Quintets, Low Brass Ensemble, Saxophone Quartets, Percussion Ensemble, Piano Ensembles, Clarinet Ensembles and others are featured on the Chamber Recital and other special events.
