Music Ensembles

Our music ensembles are open to all students at NC State. Join one and find a creative outlet that will enhance your NC State experience.

Find your Pack with music at NC State.

Do something you love, continue your musical development, and be a part of our thriving music community when you enroll in an NC State performing ensemble.

More than 500 student-musicians representing every college on campus participate in vocal and instrumental performance ensembles each semester. Each class can be repeated for course credit, and admission is open by audition.

Feeling nervous about auditioning? Try our symphonic band (MUS 135) to start, which doesn’t require an audition.

Singing in the choirs and being a music minor at NC State has legit given me some of the best memories and friends that I’ve ever had.
Lanz Santiaguel

Think and do the audition

You have everything to gain by auditioning for that ensemble (and we’re so not scary). Take the leap. Find dates, requirements and contact information on our audition page and come join our Pack.

Audition for an ensemble

Photograph of the State Chorale performing inside Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. Image shows a large group of students wearing formal attire, holding folders of sheet music and singing.

Choirs

Our three choirs—State Chorale, University Singers and Chamber Singers—provide opportunities for singers at a variety of experience levels to perform with their peers while developing choral and vocal skills.

Join a choir

Concert Bands

Our auditioned wind ensemble and non-auditioned symphonic band provide opportunities for every woodwind, brass or percussion instrumentalist who wishes to continue performing.

Join a concert band

Jazz Bands and Combos

Students interested in performing jazz are encouraged to audition for the jazz big bands and combos. Each ensemble provides student-musicians opportunities to perform and develop jazz and improvisational skills.

Join a jazz band

Drum line students warm up before a game

Marching Band and Pep Band

The Power Sound of the South® marching band and Varsity Band perform at football and basketball games, along with campus events, parades and occasional tours. Both bands are beloved parts of the NC State experience.

Join an athletic band

Dr. Peter Askim conducts NC State's Raleigh Civic Symphony.

Orchestras

Our symphony and chamber orchestra include both students and community musicians, and each perform a mix of classic orchestral repertoire and brand new music commissioned for our orchestras.

Join an orchestra

A gospel choir sings with a music director standing in the foreground.

Student Organizations

Our affiliated student-run performing organizations include several a cappella groups, a gospel choir and a group that gathers for jam sessions. Check out the organizations you can join and continue to perform.

Join a student organization

Don’t miss a beat

Subscribe to our emails to receive audition updates, concert announcements, or our monthly newsletter so you’ll always know what’s happening with our ensembles.

Subscribe to our emails

Musicians play brass instruments during a symphonic band concert