Student ensembles Semester 1 2026

Ensemble Studies ATS1347 and ATS2800

The Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance has an exciting and wide range of music ensembles open to all students across the university. Participation is via:

1. Enrolment in the Music Ensemble (ATS1347/1348//2800/2801)
2. Completion of the ensemble selection Google form before the first day of the semester
3. For selected ensembles, there is a brief recorded audition component. The link to the audition/registration form will be posted on the unit’s Moodle Site.

For any other questions regarding entry requirements into these units, please contact the Ensemble Studies Coordinator, Roman Ponomariov via roman.ponomariov@monash.edu

Audition information

• All auditions require the upload of a short, 90-second video.
• Students may choose to audition on more than one instrument (e.g. wind instrument doubling).
• Please ensure you read the ensemble-specific audition requirements in the sections below and/or contact the ensemble director directly.

Audition timeline

• Video auditions are due via the Google form by 5 pm Monday week 1 (first day of semester 2).
• Students will be notified of the audition results by Friday week 1.
• Ensembles start rehearsals in week 2.

Current Ensemble Offerings

• Latin Jazz Ensemble
• Monash University Big Band
• Theatre Orchestra
• Monash Chamber Orchestra
• Musical Theatre Chorus
• Contemporary Voice Ensemble
• Monash Funk Ensemble
• Pop / Rock Ensemble
• R&B Ensemble
• Percussion Ensemble

Latin Jazz Ensemble 

Big Band

The Monash University Big Band is an ensemble that explores the stylistic history of the Big Band/Super Sax repertoire.  Auditions are open to all students, including those in the J&I & Classical streams.  The ensemble facilitates the development of students’ skills in improvisation, sight-reading, understanding of jazz styles and ensemble performance practices.  The Monash University Big Band has performed with international artists John Abercrombie, Vanessa Perica, George Garzone, Maria Schneider, Tim Ries, Ed Partyka, Eddie Palmieri and his septet at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and with Argentinian New York-based composer Guillermo Klein.

Theatre Orchestra

This ensemble will explore repertoire featured in music theatre settings. We’ll focus on developing skills such as elasticity, blend, rhythm, phrasing, intonation, and expression, as well as explore specific interpretations associated with various styles. We’ll explore some of the modern music theatre repertoire, as well as work on the finer chamber skills required to accompany the stage or soloists. Woodwind students are encouraged to consider joining this ensemble and explore the world of doubling. This ensemble can accommodate acoustic instruments as well as a rhythm section.

Chamber Orchestra

Monash Chamber Orchestra focuses on chamber orchestra and large ensemble repertoire, performing Baroque, Classical, Romantic and modern works. This ensemble would be an appropriate option for strings, woodwinds, and horns. Monash Chamber Orchestra accepts students specialising in performance as well as accomplished students from the wider University interested in maintaining their instrumental skills and ensemble playing. Previous highlights include performing with Archie Roach, Paul Grabowsky, Tibetan singer Tenzin Choegyal,  creating music videos of Vivaldi 4 Seasons, silent film accompaniment and arrangements of Faure’s “Dolly Suite” with piano duet and orchestra.

Musical Theatre Chorus

The Monash Musical Theatre Chorus performs repertoire from a diverse range of modern and historical musicals (e.g. Songs for a New World, Rent, Les Miserables, Matilda, Hair, Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton). This ensemble encourages autonomy and builds on techniques and skills developed in the first year, with a focus on performance, interpretation, movement and teamwork.

Contemporary Voice Ensemble

The Contemporary Voice Ensemble is an opportunity to explore an exciting palette of modern compositions for vocalists spanning jazz, gospel, pop, soul and world influences. Students will delve into a lush world of harmonies, challenging rhythmic concepts, vocal technique and the basics of contemporary improvisation.  Our eclectic repertoire draws on the very best of Australian contemporary vocal composition, American vocal jazz traditions, modern gospel material, as well as South Indian vocal percussion, encouraging a fresh approach to a cappella performance in all its forms.

Funk Ensemble

Monash Funk Ensemble repertoire is selected from a range of popular music styles, both contemporary and historical, performing original and traditional Funk compositions. The group focus for all students is on performance, arrangement, movement, and teamwork. Each member of the group is required to research material and be involved in arrangements. This ensemble will focus on the interplay between the rhythm, horn and vocal sections within the ensemble.

Pop / Rock Ensemble

The PopRock Ensemble repertoire is selected from a range of popular music styles, both contemporary and historical, performing original and traditional pop, rock and folk compositions. The group focus for all students is on performance, arrangement, movement, and teamwork. Each member of the group is required to research material and be involved in arrangements. The ensemble comprises an extended rhythm section and four vocalists. Horns and strings are welcome.

R&B Ensemble

The R&B Ensemble repertoire is selected from a range of popular music styles, both contemporary and historical, performing original and traditional R&B compositions. The group focus for all students is on performance, arrangement, movement, and teamwork. Each member of the group is required to research material and be involved in arrangements. The ensemble comprises an extended rhythm section and four vocalists. Horns and strings are welcome.

Percussion Ensemble

The advanced student percussion ensemble at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance at Monash University is directed Dr Louise Devenish. Each year, our concert season includes performances of new and existing works by Australian musicians, significant works from the international percussion repertoire, audio/video recording projects, and collaborations with other instrumentalists and composers within the School. With Percussion Ensemble, you will also perform at various events on campus such as Open Day, Day of Percussion, etc., and off campus in professional venues such as the Melbourne Zoo or schools, and/or in collaborations with industry peers such as ANAM or Speak Percussion.

Percussion Ensemble members include all students enrolled in percussion performance and accepts additional members from the wider School and University via audition and enrolment in Ensemble Studies units. Students from all streams and degree types are welcome to audition.

Entry: Please submit a 3-minute video that provides an overall impression of your playing ability across at least two different percussion instrument types as listed below:
- Mallets (vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, malletkat)
- Hand drums (djembe, congas, timbales, pandeiro, cajon etc)
- Drumset or snare drum
- Multi-percussion
- Auxiliary or electronic percussion etc.

You do not need to be proficient in all of these instrument types, but you do need to be proficient in a minimum of two instrument types. You can choose to demonstrate this through improvisation, notated repertoire, your own compositions, or parts you have learned in other ensembles.
For more information on the audition requirements or to find out more about the Percussion Ensemble to help you decide to audition, please contact louise.devenish@monash.edu