Instrumental ensembles at TCNJ include Concert Band, Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble. Each ensemble is comprised of students from across all schools and majors at The College — you don’t need to be a music major to participate in TCNJ ensembles! TCNJ ensembles provide students with opportunities to nurture and develop their love of music, continue to pursue interests from high school, earn College Core credit towards their degree programs, meet students from all majors across campus, and perform in TCNJ’s beautiful concert halls.
Concert Band
TCNJ Concert Band (TCNJCB) is comprised of approximately 60 members and meets twice a week to rehearse and perform music for woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Standard and contemporary wind symphony/concert band repertoire is studied and performed, emphasizing improving skills to improve each student’s level of musicianship. The ensemble typically gives 3-4 performances each year. While all students at TCNJ are welcome in TCNJCB, a seating/placement audition is required to make certain each student has the best experience possible.
TCNJ Concert Band rehearses in Mayo Concert Hall.
Course Details
Course: MUS 145 (music majors) / MUS 185 (non-music majors)
Rehearsals: Mondays and Thursdays from 7:00–8:20 p.m.
Jazz Ensemble is a performance-oriented ensemble designed to study and perform the traditions of Big Band Music. It is a laboratory for studying standard and contemporary jazz repertoire and performance practice and learning such skills as improvisation, sight-reading, and the unique techniques germane to jazz music. An audition is required.
TCNJ Jazz Ensemble is pictured in Mayo Concert Hall.
Course Details
Course: MUS 144 (music majors) / MUS 184 (non-music majors)
Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30–4:50 p.m.
TCNJ Orchestra provides the opportunity to play the best music from the symphonic repertoire. Members continually discover an inspiring musical environment where they can grow as musicians. The Orchestra comprises music majors, non-music majors, and community members.
TCNJ Wind Ensemble (TCNJWE) is the premiere wind band at The College of New Jersey. The ensemble is an auditioned ensemble of approximately 45 undergraduate students from majors across the campus. Under the direction of Dr. Eric Laprade, TCNJWE has received national acclaim, most recently being named winner of The American Prize 2023 Ernst Bacon Award for the Performance of American music. The ensemble has toured the northeast region, including performances at the 2022 and 2014 CBDNA Eastern Division Conference and 2024 and 2020 NJMEA Conference. TCNJWE has collaborated with notable soloists and composers, with recent premieres of works by Viet Cuong, Rollo Dilworth, Sally Lamb McCune, Holly Harrison, and Ricardo Lorenz.
TCNJ Wind Orchestra (TCNJWO) is an auditioned ensemble of approximately 45 undergraduate students from majors across the campus. The ensemble rehearses twice a week and performs a wide range of contemporary and classic repertoire for wind band. The ensemble typically gives four performances each year.
TCNJ Wind Orchestra performs in the Kendall Main Stage Theater.
