Boyer students have opportunities to perform in more than 10 instrumental-based ensembles, comprised of bands, orchestras and more. Ensembles include the

• Chamber Orchestra, which performs larger chamber works in a true chamber music setting. The Chamber Orchestra generally performs one concert per semester and on occasion has joined with the Temple University Concert Choir in a combined performance.
• Diamond Marching Band, which performs at athletic events throughout the academic year, including traditional pregame and varied halftime shows throughout the season. The “Pride of The Cherry and White” Marching Band performs at all home games and also travels to select away games.
• Opera Orchestra, which accompanies Opera Theater each semester in a fully staged production.
• Percussion Ensemble, which provides a quality educational chamber music experience for its members, promotes the performance of percussion literature in a variety of styles, and encourages the composition of new works for the medium.
• Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra comprised of undergraduate and graduate students. The orchestra has performed in recent years at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, as well as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center.
• Wind Symphony ensemble comprises advanced graduate and undergraduate musicians and performs at least six formal concerts throughout the academic year.

Learn more about instrumental studies ensembles and other Boyer ensembles.

Temple University’s choirs have enjoyed a rich tradition of excellence under the batons of some of Philadelphia's most prominent conductors. Comprised of nearly 200 students each year, the ensembles continually receive regional and national acclaim for their performances. Students can earn one credit for most of the ensembles. Consider joining an ensemble, like the

• Concert Choir, which is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students at the Boyer College of Music and Dance. In addition to performing the great masterworks of the choral and orchestral canon, the choir performs a lot of new American choral music and has presented many first Philadelphia performances.
• Graduate Conductors Chorus, an ensemble of 24 members selected from the Concert Choir by competitive audition. The choir is conducted by MM Choral Conducting students and presents a recital every six weeks under the direction of a different conductor. Members receive tuition assistance each semester and are held to a high standard of musical preparation and
• Recital Chorus, a volunteer ensemble of 20 to 40 members recruited by MM Choral Conducting students. The ensemble presents a recital every six weeks under the direction of a different conductor and is noted for spirited performances of works from the classical, folk and world traditions.
• Singing Owls, a mixed choir, comprised of Temple University alumni, faculty, staff and students as well as members of the greater Philadelphia community. The ensemble's primary goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive singing community through the appreciation and performance of music from diverse cultures, genres, places, and time periods.
• University Chorale, a choir of men's voices, representing a wide range of majors within the Boyer and across the university. The chorale performs music of many cultures and times. In recent years, the choir has placed a special emphasis on contemporary American music, including works by Jeffery Ames, Carol Barnett,  Eric William Barnum, Daniel Pinkham Frank Ticheli, and Z. Randall Stroope.
• University Singers, a mixed choir, comprised of students across majors in Boyer and the university. The choir performs frequently on and off campus, and it participates in the annual combined choir and orchestra concerts at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
• Women's Chorus, a mixed choir of female students, representing a wide range of majors within Boyer and across the university. Formed in 2000 with the intent of expanding Temple's choirs' repertoire, the ensemble performs four times per year on campus as well as with the combined choirs and orchestra for the annual Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts concerts.

Learn more about Temple University choirs and other Boyer ensembles.

Contact the following faculty for more information about the Jazz Studies Composition Undergraduate Certificate.

Terell Stafford is the director of Jazz Studies.
Phone: 215-204-8036
Email: [click-for-email]