Ensembles

UTRGV offers four Brass chamber ensembles, exploring small-ensemble repertoire, performance, and styles specific to their instrument. Descriptions, meeting times, and contact information for the UTRGV Horn Choir, Trombone Choir, Trumpet Ensemble, and Tuba/Euphonium Choir are listed below (note that, in the course schedule, all of these ensembles are listed as “Chamber Music for Winds” under their respective director’s name).

Horn Choir

The UTRGV Horn Choir is comprised of members who are committed to achieving excellence as musicians and music educators. All ensemble members (music majors, music minors, and non-music majors) from two campuses (Brownsville and Edinburg) study with Dr. Monica Martinez. The Horn Choir offers an essential performing outlet for UTRGV Horn students in addition to applied lessons and studio class sessions where students develop Horn Pedagogy and Performance.  The UTRGV School of Music offers a place where these dedicated and talented musicians can collaborate, thrive, and grow. 

Trombone Choir

The UTRGV Trombone Choir proudly represents the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at events and conferences at local, state, national, and international levels. The ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Pedro Martinez, Professor of Trombone. 

The ensemble rehearses weekly and performs 1-2 concerts per semester, in addition to other off-campus and out-of-town events. The typical ensemble size consists of 16-22 trombonists. The aim of the ensemble is to play challenging music and to improve section playing skills for other ensembles like Symphonic Band, Wind Orchestra, or Symphony Orchestra. 

Some of the ensemble’s recent performances include the Big 12 Trombone Conference in Lubbock, TX in January 2025, the International Trombone Festival in Fort Worth, Texas in June 2024, and the Tourbon Festival in Santiago, Chile in January of 2024. The UTRGV Trombone Choir’s next major performance is scheduled for July 16, 2025, at ITF 2025 in London, Ontario, Canada.

Trumpet Guild

The UTRGV Trumpet Ensemble (Trumpet Guild) is composed of members of the UTRGV Trumpet Studio and is directed by Dr. Alexander Sanso. The ensemble presents a concert each semester, showcasing a diverse repertoire that spans a wide range of styles and genres. Recent performances have featured works by composers such as Eric Ewazen, Erik Morales, Kevin McKee, and George Gershwin. 

The UTRGV Trumpet Ensemble has had the distinguished honor of performing at the National Trumpet Competition (NTC), one of the most prestigious trumpet competitions in the United States. Ensembles invited to perform at NTC are selected through a highly competitive, peer-reviewed process, with only the top 40 groups nationwide earning the opportunity to participate.

Tuba/Euphonium Choir

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble was founded in 2009 under the direction of Dr. Scott Roeder. Since its creation, the ensemble has quickly gained national and international acclaim. In 2012 the UTRGV Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble performed at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference and Brass Festival Linz in Linz, Austria as one of only a handful of tuba-euphonium ensembles from the United States to be invited to perform. The ensemble has also performed at the 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2023 International Tuba Euphonium Conferences and has been a regular performing group at ITEA Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conferences around the country and at the Texas Music Educators Association State Convention. Additionally, in 2017 and 2023 the ensemble performed in Washington DC at the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Tuba Euphonium Workshop.  The ensemble also performs regular concerts at UTRGV and outreach concerts for the surrounding public school music programs. Current and former members of the ensemble have advanced or placed in numerous national and international competitions and perform in professional music ensembles across South Texas.  

Chamber Music for Guitar emphasizes the study, preparation, and performance of ensemble music for small Guitar ensembles. This course is offered on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.

In this course, students will pursue performance skills as a chamber ensemble with a variety of folk and mariachi instruments, and learn about the history, performance techniques, and traditions of Mexican folk music and mariachi repertoire and literature. Interested students should reach out to individual instructors (contact information below) to find out which section would be most appropriate for their instrument and experience level.

The UTRGV Percussion Studio, led by Dr. Mark Joseph Ramírez, Dr. Francis Favis, and Mr. Marco Guerra, offers rich educational and artistic opportunities. Students have the opportunity to perform in various ensemble settings, such as the Percussion Chamber Ensemble, and have interpreted works by composers including Toru Takemitsu, Minoru Miki, Amadeo Roldan, John Cage, Lou Harrison, Edgard Varèse, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Steve Reich, Dave Hollinden, Irwin Bazelon, David Gillingham, Emmanuel Séjourné, Alejandro Viñao, Ney Rosauro, Michael Burritt, Casey Cangelosi, Mark Ford, Ivan Trevino, and Mark Ramírez.

Students of the UTRGV Percussion Studio have participated in conferences held at James Madison University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Troy University, the University of West Alabama, the University of Southern Mississippi, Western Oregon University, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention—gaining valuable experience as performers, artists, and educators.

Please note Percussion ensemble is offered on both campuses, allowing students to register and rehearse on their home campus. See the location specific rehearsal schedule below: 

This ensemble focuses on the study, preparation, and performance of chamber music for piano in combination with other pianists, instrumentalists, and/or vocalists. This course is offered on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses. 

This ensemble focuses on the study, preparation, and performance of chamber music for small ensembles of string instruments, and/or string instruments in combination with other instruments or vocalists. This course is currently offered only on the Edinburg campus, but is open to students on both campuses.

UTRGV Opera Theatre (Opera Workshop) presents two or more performances per year on each campus. Programs may include mainstage productions, opera scenes/pastiche operas, and outreach performances. The ensemble is open to all university majors by audition and offers singers the opportunity to explore operatic and musical theatre repertoire and develop skills in acting, stagecraft, and musical/vocal styles. Students have performed and worked with composers of contemporary works including Speed Dating Tonight! (Ching) Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena (Mack/McGuire), Thirst (Rubin/Barati) and April (Pierce), and traditional operatic repertoire such as Amahl and the Night Visitors (Menotti), Die Fledermaus (Strauss), Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach), Street Scene (Kurt Weill), and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Così fan tutte. To audition for the Opera Workshop ensemble, please reach out to the appropriate contact person (listed below). Visit UTRGV Arts at www.utrgv.edu/arts for information on upcoming UTRGV Opera Theatre events. 

UTRGV offers chamber ensembles for Clarinet, Flute, Double-Reed Instruments, and Saxophone which explore small-ensemble repertoire, performance, and styles specific to their respective instruments. Descriptions, meeting times, and contact information for the UTRGV Clarinet Choirs, Flute Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, and Chamber Ensemble for Double-Reeds is below (note that, in the course schedule, all of these ensembles are listed as “Chamber Music for Winds” under their respective director’s name).
 

Clarinet Choir

Clarinet Ensemble focuses on the preparation and performance of the clarinet choir repertoire of all periods including transcriptions as well as works written specifically for this ensemble in addition to smaller clarinet chamber ensembles. The course meets once weekly. Each meeting will be divided between full ensemble and chamber ensembles. All clarinet majors/minors are required to participate in Clarinet Ensemble. 

Flute Ensemble

Ensemble-Flute focuses on the preparation and performance of chamber music repertoire for or with flute from diverse historical periods and styles, and covers ensembles ranging from duos through octets. The course meets once a week with each ensemble enrolled, therefore ensembles have to set a weekly coaching time with Dr. Alliey at the beginning of the semester. 

Chamber Music for Double Reeds

Through participation in the UTRGV Double Reed Ensemble, students will focus on the study of collaborative and chamber repertoire. This class meets once a week for two hours. In the study of chamber music, students develop communication, leadership, critical thinking and interpersonal skills while incorporating soloistic styles into the music. This ensemble is done without a conductor and assigned one to a part. Students will have the opportunity to rotate leading roles as well as perform on auxiliary instruments including the English horn and contrabassoon. The repertoire learned will include standard double reed chamber music, arrangements and transcriptions of major works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven; trio sonatas and other romantic and twentieth century repertoire at the discretion of the instructor. The class will culminate with a performance at the end of the semester. Students pursuing a career in music will find that chamber music is important to an all-rounded education allowing new opportunities and options for advancement and improvement. 

Saxophone Ensemble

Ensemble study will propel the student toward mastery of the saxophone as part of an ensemble (4 or more instruments). It will synthesize the concepts learned in individual practice and performance and translate them into superior group performances. Students will have opportunities or may be asked to play harmony saxophones, conduct, or arrange/compose for the ensemble when appropriate.

Jazz Ensemble

The UGRGV Jazz Ensemble provides students with the experiences necessary to learn the fundamental techniques of large ensemble jazz performance. There are weekly workshop-style rehearsals, culminating in at least one major public semesterly performance. The UTRGV Jazz ensemble will also be touring local high schools in the area and beyond to present various jazz ensemble concerts/workshops. They will also participate in local jazz festivals and celebrations. Ensemble meetings include sight-reading and detailed rehearsals of great works from the jazz canon as well as full-group, sectional, and individual ear-training, rhythmic, listening, and improvisation exercises. Participation in all ensembles is by audition only. Prerequisites include a passion for jazz and learning, a strong work ethic, and an open mind.

Jazz Combo

The UTRGV jazz combo program provides students with the experiences necessary to learn the fundamental techniques of small ensemble jazz performance. There will be weekly workshop-style rehearsals, culminating in at least one major public semesterly performance. Ensemble meetings will include song memorization, sight-reading, and detailed rehearsals of great works from the jazz canon as well as full-group, sectional, and individual ear-training, rhythmic, listening, and improvisation exercises. Participation in all ensembles is by audition only. The prerequisites for lessons include a passion for jazz and learning, a strong work ethic, and an open mind. Previous experience with jazz improvisation and/or enrolling in other jazz courses (Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Theory, Jazz Pedagogy) is strongly encouraged to best prepare students for jazz combo.

Note that these ensembles are currently offered only on the Edinburg campus, but are open to students on both campuses. 

Through the performance of Latin popular and traditional music, the UTRGV Latin Band strives to promote the Latin music culture represented in the student body at UTRGV and in the RGV community.

The ensemble is one of the more versatile groups at our university. The UTRGV Latin Band presents numerous performances in the valley, both on and off campus.

Some of the UTRGV Latin Band’s performances include events/venues like: Jardin del Arte for the City of Edinburg, Latin Music Festival in Brownsville, TX, HESTEC (Community Day) in Edinburg, TX, UTRGV Student Union and others. 

Some of the band’s styles include Latin Pop, Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha, Cumbia, Bachata, International Latin, Latin Jazz, and more. 

The uniqueness of this group allows for effective recruitment opportunities as it provides potential students an opportunity to participate in a group that is typically not offered at the high school level, or most other universities.

Modern Band Ensemble is a primarily student-run ensemble focusing on popular music genres and informal learning processes. Enrolled students form bands, choose repertoire, rehearse weekly with coaching, and perform on an end-of-semester showcase concert. Modern Band Ensemble is a great place to gain and refine new musical skills! All skill levels are welcome, though either MUSI 3313/6313 and/or previous experience on guitar, bass, drum set, or piano/keyboard is suggested. No audition required. Rehearsals are typically during scheduled class meeting times, but can also be scheduled outside of the standard Tuesday/Thursday times if student schedules require. If you are interested in the ensemble, but have questions about rehearsal schedules or registration, contact Dr. Virginia Davis. May be repeated for credit.  

Consisting of students across all majors, the Pep Band performs at all home Volleyball and Basketball games, along with various other campus spirit events. During the basketball season, the Pep Band has the opportunity to travel with the Men’s and Women’s teams to tournament games. 

The UTRGV Drumline functions as the percussion section of the UTRGV Marching Band. Additionally, the drumline performs at other University or Athletics functions, either as a separate unit, with the marching band, or alongside other spirit ensembles. The group is open to all students at the university. 

Please note: All games occur at the Edinburg campus. Students register for a zero-credit class. Scholarships are available.

Pep Band and Drumline rehearsals vary depending on the needs of the ensemble. All rehearsals occur at the Edinburg campus.