Ensembles
Chamber (Small) Ensembles
Other vocal and instrumental ensembles meet on a regular basis for credit when student interest warrants. These groups must be sponsored by a music department faculty or adjunct faculty member and may perform for campus, community, and church events.
Concert Choir
This student vocal organization presents numerous performances both locally and nationally. The Concert Choir is open to all Friends University students by audition.
Friends University Community Orchestra
This full orchestra includes students from the University as well as instrumentalists from the community. The orchestra presents three concerts annually and performs major orchestral literature along with new music written for the medium.
Instrumental Jazz Ensembles
These groups include big bands and smaller combos that combine a mixture of contemporary jazz and selected popular music for their performances. They perform on campus, at selected area high schools, at various community functions, and have competed in both national and international jazz festivals.
Jazz Vocal Ensemble
This musical group consists of Friends University students selected by audition. Music prepared and performed by the ensemble includes pieces in traditional and contemporary jazz styles.
Sinfonietta Orchestra
This student string orchestra focuses on the preparation and performance of chamber works from the Baroque period to the present.
Singing Quakers
This select vocal organization has gained an enviable reputation for high musical standards. Each year the choir prepares three formal programs, along with appearances and broadcasts in Wichita and the surrounding area. In addition, this ensemble conducts annual concert tours to both domestic and international locations. The Singing Quakers ensemble is open to all Friends University students by audition.
University Band
This concert band presents several concerts each season, including performances featuring internationally renowned guest performers and composers. The band frequently appears before educational conferences and community functions and has toured internationally.
Organizations
Acts of Faith
Acts of Faith is an evangelical, interdenominational ministry outreach of the University drama department. The group consists of students who share a love for the lord Jesus Christ and a desire to serve in performing arts ministry. Auditions are held in the fall semester for the current school year. Students prepare dramatic, comic, pantomime, touring one-acts or musical performance materials for presentation throughout the academic year. The group presents an annual drama ministry showcase as a part of the theatre season and has regularly performed at Faith and Learning, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, and local and regional churches and Christian drama conferences.
Arabesque Society
The Arabesque Society is designed to increase the awareness of ballet as an art form throughout Friends University and the community. Mission Statement: “To raise appreciation and awareness of ballet as a fine art form through fundraising for club events and/or trips, advertising for the department on and off campus, through sharing and demonstrating for the general public and prospective undergraduates. To involve and inspire newcomers to the fine arts, specifically ballet.”
Art and Design Society/Kappa Pi
The mission of the Art and Design Society is to provide art and design students with a scholastic and career-development-oriented networking group. Additionally, it offers an opportunity for students to have an active presence in campus and community events.
Collegiate Chapter of National Association of Music Education
Composed of pre-service music educators, this organization provides students with opportunities for professional orientation and development in music education. Membership in the collegiate chapter of this national organization is encouraged for all Music Education majors, but open to all students regardless of major. CNAfME is affiliated with NAfME: The National Association for Music Education. Members are automatically members of the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) and receive copies of professional journals, including the Music Educators Journal and Music Review. Activities include attending the KMEA annual convention, the NAfME biannual convention, hosting local clinic sessions of interest, attending the K-COMTEP conference and participating in service learning activities at Friends University. Dues to CNAfME include national and state dues plus a local assessment.
Drama Club/Theta Phi
Theta Phi was formed in the fall of 1998 by Friends students with the goal of creating more interest in the theatre arts on campus. The group is open to Friends students regardless of sex, gender, age, nationality, race, creed, disability or way of life. Members actively participate in theatre on campus and throughout the community.
Mu Phi Epsilon (ΜΦΕ), Chapter Epsilon Phi
Mu Phi Epsilon is an International Professional Music Fraternity, having as its purposes the advancement of music throughout the world, the promotion of musicianship and scholarship, loyalty to the Alma Mater, and the development of a true bond of friendship. Students may be selected for membership, and annual dues are required.
To learn more about Fine Arts at Friends University and how you can play a part on stage or in the audience, visit the main Fine Arts page. For further information about Fine Arts at Friends University, please contact us at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.