Performing Music Ensembles

All performing music ensembles are open to Fairmont State University and Peirpont Community & Technical College students regardless of their major. Music majors must enroll in a major performing ensemble every semester (unless they are student-teaching). All music minors must be enrolled in a major ensemble for a minimum of four semesters. Students should enroll in the ensemble that corresponds to their principal instrument—instrumentalists should enroll in Marching Band and Wind Ensemble, and vocalists in Collegiate Singers. Pianists and guitarists can be in either. Music majors are encouraged to participate in more than one ensemble. Students who have received scholarships from the Department of Music must honor the letter of intent which requires two performing ensembles every semester.

Ensembles Include

  • The Fairmont State University Falcon Marching Band - MUSI 1168
  • Wind Ensemble - MUSI 1169
  • Jazz Ensemble - MUSI 2247
  • African Drum and Dance - MUSI 2280
  • Chamber Ensembles - MUSI 2249
  • Piano Ensemble - MUSI 1112
  • Guitar Ensemble - MUSI 1176
Vocal Ensembles:
  • Collegiate Choir - MUSI 1167
  • Chamber Choir - MUSI 2277
  • Community Choir

Continue performing music while completing your degree

Travel Opportunities

The major performing ensembles have opportunities to perform throughout North-Central West Virginia and the surrounding states. 
  • Charleston, WV– joint concerts with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Baltimore, MD
  • New York City, NY - performance at Carnegie Hall
  • Harrisburg, PA – Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships featured collegiate marching band
  • Toronto, Canada
  • Miami/Orlando, FL

Instrument Checkout Policy

All instruments owned by Fairmont State are available to full and part-time students for use in the instrumental music education classes and for registered performing ensembles. Instruments will not be checked out to persons for any other purpose. The college will make a reasonable effort to ensure that all instruments are in a good working condition before checking them out to any person in need of these instruments. At the end of each semester, each person is required to return the borrowed instrument in reasonable working condition or to make accommodations for extending permission to use the instrument for another semester. Each person who returns an instrument must report any defect or condition that should be corrected on the instrument before it is returned to active use. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to use a school instrument over the course of the summer months unless music courses are implemented to accommodate the use of school owned instruments during this period.