Fine Arts: Ensembles

Fine Arts:

From the beginning of the Wesleyan tradition with John, Charles, and Samuel Wesley, music has been an integral part of the life of the church. In that tradition, the music department at Southern Wesleyan University has a long and rich history. Through the love and work of many professors and conductors, Southern Wesleyan University has always sought to develop the very best musicians to supply leadership in churches, schools, and communities.

Fine Arts Ensembles:
Opportunities abound in the areas of choral, vocal, instrumental, piano, and organ. Our professors combine excellence teaching with the kind of focused attention that inspires students to do their very best. Music students at SWU are among the most active and involved students in study and campus activities, including student body leadership positions.

Our performing ensembles consist of music students as well as interested and talented students from other academic disciplines. All students who perform in our ensembles are eligible to receive ensemble scholarships. Our performing ensembles include Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Gospel Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, several vocal and instrumentals quartets, and the ministry teams—University Singers and The Difference.

Concert Choir
Directed by Dr. Don Campbell, Concert Choir is SWU’s top performing large vocal ensemble. Consisting of approximately 40-50 singers, this group performs an eclectic blend of music from Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music to twentieth and twenty-first century music, spirituals, gospel, and Broadway. The Concert Choir performs regular concerts on campus and the eastern United States. The choir sponsors the annual Upstate Intercollegiate Choral Invitational Festival for Christian colleges from South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina. In 2004, Concert Choir was a demonstration choir for a conducting seminar at the South Carolina American Choral Directors Association (SCACDA) Autumnal Convocation. In 2005, the choir was selected by audition to perform a concert at the SCACDA Autumnal Convocation.

Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers is designed to give music education majors and other outstanding singers the opportunity to study and perform small ensemble choral music. The group, conducted by Dr. Don Campbell, usually consists of 16 singers and they perform on concert programs with the Concert Choir.

University Singers
University Singers consists of eight to 12 auditioned singers who perform accompanied and unaccompanied vocal music for churches, conventions, and other venues. Each student receives a considerable scholarship. They are much in demand and travel extensively.

Sing With Unity Gospel Choir
This choir is dedicated to the performance of gospel music. It varies in size, but traditionally sponsors the SWU Gospel Extravaganza where gospel choir from the surrounding area come to Southern Wesleyan every Palm Sunday to share their music and praise the Lord.

Wind Ensemble
Under the direction of Greg Day, the Wind Ensemble has grown to fill our concert stage to overflowing. Consisting of our instrumental music majors and other talented campus instrumentalists, this group performs regular concerts throughout the year and mentors high school students from the surrounding area. The ensemble performs a wide variety of music that never fails to please audiences.

Jazz Ensemble
Directed by Greg Day, the Jazz Ensemble has become a unique and respected voice for jazz education in the area. The group performs not only jazz standards but also Christian hymns and praise songs in the jazz style. The ensemble was honored recently to perform at the Wesleyan General Conference.

The Difference
The Difference is an outstanding “praise and worship” team that leads praise services not only on campus, but throughout the surrounding area. The group consists of two to three singers who are accompanied by keyboards, guitars, and drums. The members of The Difference audition yearly to participate in this twelve month ministry opportunity. Each student receives a substantial scholarship. American Choral Directors Association (SCACDA) Autumnal Convocation in 2004 conducting seminar. In 2005, the choir was selected by audition to perform a concert at the SCACDA Autumnal Convocation.