Ensembles & Performance Groups
Join an Ensemble or Performance Group at MacPhail
MacPhail is committed to offer opportunities to practice and perform in groups ranging from duos to orchestras for students of all levels and abilities.
Music performance is inherently social and creative. Performers are called to interpret notated music, improvise, adapt to unexpected conditions, and accommodate the occasional error. MacPhail encourages students of all ages to take advantage of the fabulous opportunity to play together.
Performance ensembles are either open or auditioned. Auditioned performance ensembles and the much-loved Dakota Combo provide outstanding performance opportunities for students and audiences alike.
For questions about MacPhail ensembles and performance groups, contact the Director of Group Instruction, Jon Iverson or the Jazz Director, Christopher Rochester.
Rimshots!
Rimshots! strives to bring relevant and exciting compositions for percussion to MacPhail and community stages. The highly motivated percussion students play myriad instruments that range from triangle to timpani to table-tops. Rimshots! performs concerts in a variety of settings throughout the community.
Rimshots! students love percussion, music, playing, and discovering how to develop the most cohesive ensemble possible.
The goal is to take the music beyond the notes to create meaning and connect with the audience.
Rimshots! runs annually from September to June with exciting 2-hour weekly rehearsals.
Students wishing to audition should be proficient on mallets, snare drum, timpani, drum set, and accessories.
Sonomento
Sonomento is MacPhail’s premiere adult choral ensemble, performing complete and major works of classical choral literature. Often collaborating with instrumentalists and other musical ensembles, Sonomento performs in many venues around the Twin Cities, including MacPhail’s own Antonello Hall. The Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass (SATB) ensemble of 40-50 singers provides a fulfilling musical experience through dedication to high-performance standards, development of your individual vocal ability, and camaraderie with other dedicated singers.