Ensemble Opportunities
All musical ensembles listed below are open to both music majors and non-majors. Audition requirements vary by ensemble.
Sound-of-Navarro-Marching-Band Comprised of over 120 members, The SON is the largest student musical organization at Navarro College and stands as an icon of campus tradition. The membership includes students from across the nation and represent all academic disciplines of Navarro College, including Music, Science, Business, Pre-Nursing, and Engineering. The remarkable spirit of the SON Band comes from the enthusiasm of multiple students who combine their collaborative talents and backgrounds to create a high quality musical experience. The SON performs both on and off the Navarro campus and travels to other college campuses during the football season. The band also makes frequent featured appearances at various regional and state-level marching contest. The band performs innovative music and drill that represents both traditional and contemporary marching styles. For over 70 years the Navarro College Band has enthused the hearts of Bulldog fans with its powerful music and creative marching drills. The band is as much a part of Navarro tradition as the Bulldog itself. Both on the field and in the stands, the members of the band create an atmosphere of excitement through outstanding musical performance and an unabashed spirit for NC football. To all you prospective members out there, as a member of the band you will participate in one of the most exciting and diverse organizations at Navarro College, taking advantage of musical and social opportunities unparalleled in any other college activity. If you would enjoy performing great music in a non-competitive atmosphere where you can create life-long friendships and perform for thousands of people then the SON is for you. We hope you will consider adding your musical talents to one of the most exciting college marching bands in the nation!
The Navarro College Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band of Navarro College and has been acclaimed as “one of the fastest growing programs of central Texas.” The NC Wind Ensemble is guided by a philosophy that seeks to expose its students and audiences to the highest quality music written or transcribed for wind instruments representing all periods of music history. Students who perform in the Wind Ensemble represent many different areas of study throughout the college. Many former members hold positions in performance, education and professional businesses around the world, as well as the leading military bands of the armed services. The Wind Ensemble rehearses MWF, 3:30-5:30 p.m., and typically performs two on-campus concerts per semester. Additionally, most academic years also include off-campus tour(s) and/or performances throughout Texas and adjoining states. For more information regarding the audition process or concert schedule, please Joshua Buckrucker, Director of Bands.
The Navarro College Symphonic Band is comprised of advanced musicians (both music majors and non-music majors) selected from auditions held during the week prior to the end of the spring semester. The ensemble performs a wide array of repertoire including chamber works, masterworks for band, and contemporary wind literature. The Symphonic Band rehearses T/TH, 3:30-5:30 p.m., and typically performs two on-campus concerts per semester. Information and procedures for auditioning, including the audition excerpts, will appear by summer of each year on the band website. For additional information regarding the ensemble schedule or audition process, please contact Mr. Timothy Nutting, Associate Director of Bands.
The Navarro College Pep Band provides musical entertainment to NC basketball and volleyball fans. The band performs for all home volleyball and basketball games. An integral part of game atmosphere, the NC Pep Band brings spirit and enthusiasm to the SEC Center and when traveling with the teams during tournament season. Performing at multiple games during the regular season, this ensemble is a critical component of the athletic environment in the Student Entertainment Center. This ensemble offers amazing performance opportunities at home and across the state.
The Navarro Jazz Program is a program dedicated to the study and performance of the uniquely American art form of Jazz. The ensembles are made up of students from many different disciplines from around the campus, who have a passion and love of performing, writing, and learning about this great music. World renowned jazz musicians, writers and artists visit the Navarro College campus annually. These musicians give clinics and masterclasses in a variety of jazz disciplines, and they perform with our students and ensembles each year.
An extensive chamber music program is a central element of instrumental study at Navarro College. Young musicians mature when presented with individual expectations of excellence. The demands of one-on-a-part performing experiences are vigorous growth as music makers. Currently we offer: Saxophone Quartet Flute Choir Clarinet Choir Woodwind Quintet Brass Ensemble Tuba Euphonium Quartet Percussion Ensemble Jazz Combo Active performing faculty members provide mentoring roles and weekly coaching’s to instrumental ensembles. Each year, visiting ensembles provide additional enrichment to the campus musical community as well.
