Fine Arts Ensembles and Organizations
With top notch dance, drama, music and art programs, clubs and ensembles, the Fine Arts students are some of the University’s brightest stars. We offer our students a full range of options in choral/vocal and instrumental music, dance, theatre and the visual arts.

ENSEMBLES
Athletic Bands
These groups are open to all students by audition. The Athletic Bands perform for home football and basketball games. Currently a Drumline performs for football and a Pep Band performs for basketball.

Chamber Orchestra
This student string orchestra focuses on the preparation and performance of chamber works from the Baroque period to the present.

Chamber (Small) Ensembles
Other vocal and instrumental ensembles meet on a regular basis for credit when student interest warrants. These groups must be sponsored by a music department faculty or adjunct faculty member and may perform for campus, community, and church events.

Choral Chamber Ensembles: Madrigals & Kantorei
Membership in these select ensembles is by audition. Students must also participate in Singing Quakers (for Madrigals) or Concert Choir (for Kantorei). The groups rehearse weekly and perform extensively throughout the area. Vocal Music Education majors are required to participate in at least one semester in one of these ensembles. 
 
Concert Choir
This student vocal organization presents numerous performances both locally and nationally. The Concert Choir is open to all Friends University students by audition. 

Friends University Community Orchestra
This full orchestra includes students from the University as well as instrumentalists from the community. The orchestra presents three concerts annually and performs major orchestral literature along with new music written for the medium.

Instrumental Jazz Ensembles
These groups include big bands and smaller combos that combine a mixture of contemporary jazz and selected popular music for their performances. They perform on campus, at selected area high schools, at various community functions, and have competed in both national and international jazz festivals.

Jazz Vocal Ensemble
This musical group consists of Friends University students selected by audition. Music prepared and performed by the ensemble includes pieces in traditional and contemporary jazz styles.

Singing Quakers
This select vocal organization has gained an enviable reputation for high musical standards. Each year the choir prepares three formal programs, along with appearances and broadcasts in Wichita and the surrounding area.  In addition, this ensemble conducts annual concert tours to both domestic and international locations. The Singing Quakers ensemble is open to all Friends University students by audition. 

University Band
This concert band presents several concerts each season, including performances featuring internationally renowned guest performers and composers. The band frequently appears before educational conferences and community functions and has toured internationally.

Women’s Chorus
This choral organization performs several times each year both on the University campus and in the Wichita area. The Women’s Chorus is open to all female students by audition.

ORGANIZATIONS
Arabesque Society

Acts of Faith

CMENC, Chapter #251
Membership in the collegiate chapter of this national organization is encouraged for all Music Education majors, but open to all students regardless of major. CMENC is affiliated with MENC: The National Association for Music Education. Members of CMENC are automatically members of the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) and receive copies of professional journals, including the Music Educators Journal (MENC) and Music Review (KMEA). Activities include attending the KMEA annual convention, the MENC biannual convention, hosting local clinic sessions of interest, attending the K-COMTEP conference, and participating in service learning activities at Friends University. Dues to CMENC include national and state dues plus a local assessment.

Mu Phi Epsilon (ΜΦΕ), Chapter Epsilon Phi
Mu Phi Epsilon is an International Professional Music Fraternity, having as its purposes the advancement of music throughout the world, the promotion of musicianship and scholarship, loyalty to the Alma Mater, and the development of a true bond of friendship. Students may be selected for membership, and annual dues are required.

Talisman/Yearbook

To learn more about Fine Arts at Friends University and how you can play a part on stage or in the audience, visit the main Fine Arts page. For further information about Fine Arts at Friends University, please contact us at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.