Find the Perfect Venue to Perform in the Department of Music and Theatre
From the moment you step on campus, the Department of Music and Theatre prepare you for life’s opportunities and challenges. Being part of a smaller, yet comprehensive department means you have the chance take a broad range of courses and gain significant performance experience early on in your college career, which doesn’t happen at larger schools. Throughout your degree program, you’ll have the faculty mentorship you need to improve your skills.
Check out some of the performance and teaching opportunities available to you through the Department of Music and Theatre. Let us know if you have questions about our many ensembles and choirs, and we’ll be happy to answer them!
Fringe Theater
In addition, the Fringe Theater group performs peer education programs for area schools and provides you a chance to delve deeper into the world of acting, writing and directing shows. Developing and performing five major shows a year as well as various showcases and side projects, you’ll have ample opportunity to put your passion into action starting your freshman year on. For more information, contact the Fringe Theater’s faculty advisor at (785) 628-4449.
Marching Band/Symphonic Winds
If you are a brass, woodwind, or percussion player, we would love to invite you to play with the FHSU Tiger Marching Band and Symphonic Winds. Participation in the Marching Band give you a chance to play great music, create lifelong friendships, and be a part of one of FHSU's most visible and popular student groups as soon as you set foot on campus. The Marching Band performs several different shows each year, so there is always something new and exciting, and all band members get paid! If you don't play an instrument but would still like to participate in the Marching Band, check out the Color Guard and FHSU Twirlers.
When football season is over, the group becomes the Symphonic Winds - FHSU's largest concert ensemble. In the Symphonic Winds you will play some of the best concert music in the band world and might even get the chance to conduct your peers at a performance!
No audition is required to be in the Marching Band, Symphonic Winds, or Color Guard.
Concert Choir
Open to all students, the Concert Choir offers several performance opportunities throughout the year, allowing you to gain experience in a large choir setting. As part of the choir, you can explore the creativity and critical thinking required to produce high-quality musical performances — opportunities that will look great when you begin applying for your dream job.
Wind Ensemble
For those who seek a challenge, the Wind Ensemble, the University’s premiere concert band, consisting of outstanding brass, woodwind, and percussion players, is open to those who audition. Members of this ensemble are selected by their auditions and perform four concerts per year. This popular, high-caliber ensemble allows you to play challenging music and work with other outstanding musicians.
Fort Hays Singers
If you would like to hone your vocal skills with other advanced singers, Fort Hays Singers is right for you. Fort Hays Singers, the top collegiate choir, selects students by audition from the membership of the Concert Choir. Students in this group get to perform the national anthem at sporting events, along with other featured performances. Past experiences for this group have included taking a trip to Taiwan to perform for students there. This group offers exhilarating challenges for any aspiring singer.
Other Ensembles include:
- Jazz Band I, Jazz Band II, and Jazz Combo
- String Ensembles
- Chamber Orchestra
- Women's Chorale
- Collegian Chorale
- Pep Band
- Percussion Ensemble
- Brass Choir
- Clarinet Choir
- Flute Choir
- Double Reed Consort
- Brass Quintet
- Woodwind Quintet
- Bassoon Quartet
Tiger Debs
If you like being on a dance team and performing at football and basketball games, consider trying out for Tiger Debs, FHSU’s dance squad. Visit the Tiger Debs Web site for more information.
Music majors are a valuable part of many campus-wide organizations. As a FHSU student, you can choose from over 100 student organizations (or even start a new one) to gain valuable leadership experience and have fun in the process! For more information about student clubs and organizations, visit the Center for Student Involvement.