Every year students have the opportunity to travel as members of Doane’s elite musical organizations. The choir tours internationally every three (3) years. Both the band and choir take a major two-week tour every 3 years. Recent tours have included:
Arizona
Iowa
Wisconsin
Washington D.C.
Cleveland
Chicago
Dallas
Portland
Seattle
California
Colorado
Minnesota
New Mexico
South Dakota
Emphasis Areas
General
Performance
Teaching
Student Ensembles
Collegiate Chorale
Collegiate Chorale is a non-auditioned, well-balanced choir of 55-65 voices. It performs three or four times on campus during the academic year and off-campus as well. The group includes students of diverse ages and majors. Prerequisite: none.
Student Ensembles
Concert Band
The Concert Band is open to all students. Auditions for chair placement take place in the fall. Performances include two scheduled concerts per semester and participation in important college ceremony functions. Participation in the Concert Band can be used to partially fulfill the Aesthetic Perspective requirement of the Doane Plan. Prerequisite: Audition.
Student Ensembles
Doane Choir
An auditioned choir of 50 voices, the Doane Choir is the university's premier choral ensemble. Returning students audition in the spring and new students audition in the fall. Membership is based on auditions and takes into consideration both musical talent and ensemble needs. Members rehearse four times a week for a total of four-and-one-half hours. Participation in the ensemble can be used for partial fulfillment of the Aesthetic Perspective requirement of the Doane Plan. The Doane Choir performs 3-4 concerts on campus annually. The choir also tours annually to a region of the United States and undertakes international tours every three years. The ensemble has received regular invitations from around the state to perform with the state's top professional orchestras and music conferences. Prerequisite: Audition.
Student Ensembles
Doublewide
Doublewide is Doane's men's chamber ensemble. Though Doublewide sings Classical repertoire as well, their specialization is in popular styles: doo-wop, vocal jazz, gospel and barbershop. The group varies in size from 12-16 singers, depending on the year. Doublewide tours every spring with Doane's vocal jazz ensemble, Jazz Unlimited, and also performs with the Doane Choir on its annual tours. The groups performs without a conductor but rehearses with the guidance of Doane's Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Kurt Runestad. Prerequisite: Audition.
Student Ensembles
Jazz Ensemble
The Doane Jazz Ensemble is an ensemble that performs a variety of jazz, rock, Latin, swing and fusion styles. The jazz band is open to all students by audition or permission. The jazz band generally performs twice a semester. The possibility of travel opportunities is dependent on the performance requests the ensemble accepts. Additionally, the Jazz Ensemble often joins the Symphonic Wind Ensemble on its annual tour. Prerequisite: Audition.
Student Ensembles
Jazz Unlimited
Doane's vocal jazz ensemble, Jazz Unlimited typically has 14-16 members, and often performs with a three-piece rhythm section. The group rehearses twice a week, and sings challenging music of many styles, including standard and contemporary jazz, swing, Latin, ballads, and pop/rock arrangements, both a capella and with a rhythm section. Highly competitive auditions for the group occur each fall. Membership in the ensemble is a year-long commitment. Annual performances:
"Cocoa and Carols" concert featuring soloists, Christmas arrangements and their regular repertoire
Tour Nebraska with Doublewide
ACDA Vocal Jazz Festival in Columbus
Relay for Life at Doane
Various local venues on and off campus
Student Ensembles
National Association for Music Education
National Association for Music Education (NAfME) serves to augment classroom work in the field of music education to promote special projects of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and the National Conference, and to expand the knowledge and horizons of future music educators. NAfME is open to students interested in music education.
Student Ensembles
Tiger Pep Band
Tiger Pep Band is an instrumental music ensemble open to all students and performs at home football games during the fall semester. The ensemble utilizes a student-centered, constructivist approach, providing opportunities for students to develop skills in teaching, conducting, leadership, collaboration, communication, community engagement and outreach, composing, and arranging. Upon completion of this course, students will improve their musicianship through the performance of a varied repertoire of music selected and created by the students. Prerequisite(s): none.
The Doane Difference
Prestigious Performances
Doane ensembles have been selected to perform for numerous conferences, including the Nebraska Music Education Association and the American Choral Directors Association.
Tour Internationally
Ensembles regularly tour throughout the Nebraska, the United States and internationally. The Doane Choir has sung in 13 countries, most recently Costa Rica.
State-of-the-art Equipment
The college owns two Steinway concert pianos. Significant gifts to the Music Department have made it possible to provide future upgrades of equipment, facilities and experiences for students.
Career Information
Helpful Links
Whether you’re ready to apply or still testing the waters with a tour, we’re here for you. Here are some helpful links to assist you on your journey.