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The Men's Tennis team with their trophy in front of the final scoreboard.

A dream fulfilled: Denison wins its first NCAA men’s tennis title

May 23, 2025
Photo of Matt Tanney, new associate vice president and director of athletics

Denison names Matt Tanney new associate vice president and director of athletics

May 20, 2025
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‘Life is jazz, baby:’ Denison celebrates 184th Commencement

May 20, 2025
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  4. Ensembles

Ensembles

Individual ensembles are designed to meet the students' musical needs while providing a positive educational experience.

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Music



  • About
    About

    An overview and description of the Music department at Denison University.

    • Music Theatre
    • American Roots Music
    • Ensembles
    • The Alexander Technique
  • Degree Requirements
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  • Auditions
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    Faculty & Staff

    Faculty and Staff contact information for the Music Department.

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Students in an ensemble

In keeping with a liberal arts philosophy, the Music department encourages interested students campus-wide to participate in its varied ensembles.

Show/Hide American Roots Music Ensemble (including Bluegrass)

The Denison University American Roots Music Ensemble is dedicated to the multi-genre and multicultural music developed in the US during the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. This broad term represents “folk” or “traditional” music such as Bluegrass, Appalachian, and African-American string band/fiddle music, Gospel music, and the blues, as well as contemporary music derived from these traditions. Each semester, students in the ensemble explore a different area of this music, learning about the fundamentals of American Roots Music while working on original arrangements.

Pre-approved instruments include guitar, mandolin, violin/fiddle, bass, slide guitar/”dobro,” cello, and banjo. Additional instruments will be accepted with the approval of the Director.

Contact:

Adam Schlenker

Adam  Schlenker
Studio Instructor
Director of American Roots - Bluegrass Guitar
schlenkera@denison.edu
740-587-6220
Show/Hide Chamber Singers

Denison University Chamber Singers is a select mixed choral ensemble that performs an array of musical styles, including Renaissance polyphony, contemporary works, vocal jazz arrangements, folk songs, and spirituals.

The required audition consists of vocal exercises, sight-singing, and a pitch retention/general musical knowledge assessment. A prepared solo is optional.

Contact:

Harris Ipock

Harris  Ipock
Assistant Professor
Director of Choral Activities
ipockw@denison.edu
740-587-8529
Show/Hide Composition Seminar

Composition Seminar serves as the ensemble for composers who are creating music in all styles, from classical to pop, from soundtracks to video game music. In a group setting, composers workshop and create music to be performed each semester. Often guest artists are featured in the final concerts.

Ching-chu Hu

Ching-chu  Hu
Professor
Vail Series Coordinator
Director of Music Theatre
hu@denison.edu
740-587-5761
Show/Hide Concert Choir

The Denison University Concert Choir is a long-established community/university choir that includes singers from the Granville area, as well as Denison faculty, staff, and students who are interested in performing major choral works and other works of interest. A placement audition is required, but no prior choral experience is necessary.

Contact:

Harris Ipock

Harris  Ipock
Assistant Professor
Director of Choral Activities
ipockw@denison.edu
740-587-8529
Show/Hide Gospel Choir

The Denison University Gospel Choir carries the tradition of sharing love and hope through song to our community. We learn and perform songs in the true African American gospel tradition, as well as some that are contemporary and inspiring.

Contact:

Timothy Carpenter

Timothy  Carpenter
Affiliated Studio Instructor - Gospel Choir/ChristianLife
carpentert@denison.edu
740-587-5662
Show/Hide Jazz Ensemble

The Denison University Jazz Ensemble performs music ranging from the traditional big band era to contemporary jazz. Audition required.

Contact:

Pete Mills

Pete  Mills
Visiting Instructor
mills@denison.edu
740-587-6616
Show/Hide Denison University Orchestra

The Denison University Orchestra welcomes players with diverse musical interests and from a wide array of majors. Drawing from a broad range of canonical string orchestra and symphonic repertoire, as well as newly composed works, the orchestra offers students a top-level orchestral experience and serves an important role in representing Denison University in the community. Frequent off-campus tours, along with regular collaborations with guest artists, faculty, and other Denison ensembles, continue to enrich and expand the legacy of the ensemble.

Contact:

Philip Rudd

Philip  Rudd
Associate Professor
Director of Orchestra - Orchestra
ruddp@denison.edu
740-587-6386
Show/Hide Singer’s Theatre Workshop

The Denison Singer’s Theatre Workshop is for students who sing and enjoy performing on stage. Once a semester, the students in the class will present a fully-staged opera, operetta, or musical theatre production. Class literature ranges from Broadway musicals to light opera. All students are welcome, but solos are chosen by audition.

Contact:

Kevin N. Wines

Kevin N. Wines
Affiliated Studio Instructor
wines@denison.edu
740-587-6726
Show/Hide Wind Ensemble

The Denison University Wind Ensemble is for winds, brass, and percussionists. This large ensemble of approximately 55 musicians explores both cutting-edge contemporary literature and traditional staples of the wind band medium. This ensemble presents one concert each semester. Membership is open to all university students (and faculty). Audition required.

Contact:

Chris David Westover-Muñoz

Chris David Westover-Muñoz
Associate Professor
Director of Bands - Director of Wind Ensemble
westoverc@denison.edu
740-587-6734

Chamber Ensembles

Show/Hide Balinese Gamelan Ensemble

Contact:

Show/Hide Bassoon Ensemble

Contact:

Show/Hide Brass Ensemble

Contact:

Ryan Hamilton

Ryan  Hamilton
Affiliated Music Instructor - Low Brass/Low Brass Ensemble
hamiltonr@denison.edu
740-587-6220
Show/Hide Clarinet Ensemble

Contact:

Evan Lynch

Evan  Lynch
Lesson Instructor/Clarinet Ensemble
lynche@denison.edu
740-587-6640
Show/Hide Early Music Ensemble

Contact:

Steven Rosenberg

Steven  Rosenberg
Lesson Instructor/Oboe Ensemble
rosenbergs@denison.edu
740-587-8020
Show/Hide Fiddle Ensemble

Contact:

Adam Schlenker

Adam  Schlenker
Studio Instructor
Director of American Roots - Bluegrass Guitar
schlenkera@denison.edu
740-587-6220
Show/Hide Flute Ensemble

Contact:

Leslie Maaser

Leslie  Maaser
Summer Tutti Camp Counselor
maaserl@denison.edu
740-587-6365
Show/Hide Guitar Ensemble

Contact:

Brett Burleson

Brett  Burleson
Affiliated Instructor
burlesonb@denison.edu
740-587-5656
614-439-0841
Show/Hide Jazz Combo

Contact:

Pete Mills

Pete  Mills
Visiting Instructor
mills@denison.edu
740-587-6616
Show/Hide Latin Jazz Percussion Ensemble

Contact:

Show/Hide New Music Ensemble

Chris David Westover-Muñoz

Chris David Westover-Muñoz
Associate Professor
Director of Bands - Director of Wind Ensemble
westoverc@denison.edu
740-587-6734
Show/Hide Oboe Ensemble

Contact:

Steven Rosenberg

Steven  Rosenberg
Lesson Instructor/Oboe Ensemble
rosenbergs@denison.edu
740-587-8020
Show/Hide Piano Chamber Music

Contact:

Sun Min Kim

Sun Min  Kim
Assistant Professor
Coordinator of Keyboard Studies - Piano
kims@denison.edu
585-489-2801
Show/Hide String Chamber Music

Contact:

Cora Kuyvenhoven

Cora  Kuyvenhoven
Lesson Instructor
kuyvenhovenc@denison.edu
740-587-5609

Debbie Blunt-Barrett Price

Debbie Blunt-Barrett Price
String Chamber Ensemble
pricedb@denison.edu
740-587-6220
Show/Hide Trumpet Ensemble

Contact:

Show/Hide Woodwind Ensemble

Contact:

Leslie Maaser

Leslie  Maaser
Summer Tutti Camp Counselor
maaserl@denison.edu
740-587-6365

On this page

  • American Roots Music Ensemble (including Bluegrass)
  • Chamber Singers
  • Composition Seminar
  • Concert Choir
  • Gospel Choir
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Denison University Orchestra
  • Singer’s Theatre Workshop
  • Wind Ensemble
  • Chamber Ensembles
    • Balinese Gamelan Ensemble
    • Bassoon Ensemble
    • Brass Ensemble
    • Clarinet Ensemble
    • Early Music Ensemble
    • Fiddle Ensemble
    • Flute Ensemble
    • Guitar Ensemble
    • Jazz Combo
    • Latin Jazz Percussion Ensemble
    • New Music Ensemble
    • Oboe Ensemble
    • Piano Chamber Music
    • String Chamber Music
    • Trumpet Ensemble
    • Woodwind Ensemble

Spotlights

Owen Tekelenburg ’26

An eye for science and an ear for the banjo

Tireless Owen Tekelenburg ’26 hasn’t let a health scare slow his pursuit of a wide range of interests at Denison.
The Hilltoppers singing at groundhogs day
Denison Magazine

It was strange and beautiful and unforgettable

A Hilltopper shares his experience opening up for the world's most famous groundhog.
Timothy Carpenter on stage inside Swasey chapel with singers behind him
Denison Magazine

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

The leader of the gospel choir and coordinator of Christian life, Timothy Carpenter embraces the struggle and tenacity of Martin Luther King Jr.
Timothy Carpenter on stage inside Swasey chapel with singers behind him

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

The leader of the gospel choir and coordinator of Christian life, Timothy Carpenter embraces the struggle and tenacity of Martin Luther King Jr.
Sun Min Kim
Denison Magazine

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

His path to piano, the mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom he finds in teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college
Megan Barker ’25

Making their mark with Messiah

This year’s performance of Handel’s epic work included student soloists, a new twist on a long-running Denison tradition.
Kim by his pianos

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

Kim talks about his path to piano, the late mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom of teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college.
Ellie Blasko '23 sitting next to a piano

Playing to her strengths

Denison helped triple major Ellie Blasko '23 explore her passion for piano, discover new interests, and land a dream job in Beverly Hills.
Jaelyn Roth ’23, building a graph to illustrate her research

Peering into black holes

Physics major Jaelyn Roth’s research helps astrophysicists see supermassive black holes and their related phenomenon more clearly.
Blue Grass Boys

The surprising history of Bluegrass music

Visiting professor Heather Grimm ’17 shares an intriguing history of Bluegrass music.
Sydney Kistler

Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur

Sydney Kistler ’22 loves performing music — and is equally fervent about the business angle of the industry.
Winter 2022 cover
Denison Magazine

The ON Switch

Conversations with faculty about what it means to teach — and to trigger those amazing moments of illumination
Bluegrass students performing in Swasey Chapel

Bluegrass Goes to College

Praise for DU’s program from top bluegrass magazine
Tejido de Voces rehearsal (photo by Ron Abram)

Building Bridges: Ron Abram, Collaboration and Tejido de Voces

The importance of art - especially in a world divided by COVID, politics, and distance - is a tangible thing.
Bryan Blaskie '09

Monkey business hits Broadway

Musical composer Bryan Blaskie '09 shares his thoughts about the bright lights of Broadway and why getting a bad grade can actually be a good thing.

What's Happening

Students

Ongoing community support for Denison’s young musicians

Former registrar Larry Murdock keeps showing up — supporting Denison student musicians and sharing their music with his senior community.

Read more
Workshops & Info Sessions, Performances, Faculty, Visiting Artists

Fun and great music at the Bluegrass and American Roots Festival

People of all ages will enjoy the festival’s outstanding musical talent, featuring The Cleverlys and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.

Read more
In the News

Sock Joplin Trio’s Jared Thompson ’04 on a national tour

Thompson, his twin brother Joshua, and vocalist Psywrn Simone share their journey into sound and pay tribute to Black music on their national tour.

Read more
See All
More From Denison
Denison Seminars
Denison Seminars
Study Abroad
Study Abroad
Living at Denison
Living at Denison
Career Exploration
Career Exploration

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Granville, Ohio 43023
1-740-587-0810

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