Performing Arts College in Missouri

Exploring works from the rich heritage of chamber music, these ensembles rehearse twice a week and perform on and off campus. For the past couple of years, groups have consisted of various combinations of instruments creating standard chamber ensembles such as string quartets as well as more unique configurations. Open by audition to all college students regardless of major, these ensembles are led by our outstanding instrumental faculty.

Chamber Winds are small ensembles comprised of woodwinds, brass and percussion. These chamber groups vary by semester based on available instrumentation and student interest, but they have included flute choir, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, saxophone quartet and percussion ensemble.

The Jewell Jazz Band is an ensemble that enjoys the exciting, wide-ranging jazz standards of many eras. This is the group that encourages instrumentalists to enjoy improvisational freedom and often showcases their own arranging and compositional endeavors. Membership is by audition and/or invitation and is subject to the needs of standard jazz band instrumentation. Dr. Langston Hemenway is the director.

This group performs a wide variety of music, often transcriptions, while focusing on the development of jazz improvisational skills. The group performs as a part of the Jewell Jazz Band concerts and in its own concerts each semester. Occasionally, the ensemble will perform for special events around campus. Membership into this group is based on audition or invitation after an interview. While not required, it is highly recommended that members of this ensemble also participate in the Jewell Jazz Band.​

As a full symphonic orchestra, the Liberty Symphony performs a season of varied concerts each year. Comprised of students and community members, it is known in the Kansas City area as one of its finest community orchestras. LSO is open by audition to wind, percussion and string players, subject to their teacher’s recommendation and the instrumentation needs of the orchestra. The symphony is conducted by Dr. Langston Hemenway.

The Wind Ensemble plays pieces of the highest standards. Membership is gained by audition or invitation and is comprised of students who are interested in the more complex aspects of wind and percussion performance. Lifetime friendships and good collegiality come naturally to the band members. The band tours periodically in the Midwest and beyond. Dr. Langston Hemenway is the ensemble’s conductor.

William Jewell College Cardinal Voices is comprised of students from William Jewell and Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods. The ensemble is open to all who wish to sing regardless of major or vocal experience and performs a wide range of pieces from traditional choral selections to collegiate a cappella arrangements and lighter fare. This ensemble is also a place for Jewell’s music education majors to develop their conducting, ensemble preparation and leadership skills in an environment dedicated to diverse programming and providing varied musical experiences.

The students in this ensemble have earned the prestigious award of Choral Scholar. This ensemble performs a variety of selections from vocal solos and quartets to advanced sacred and secular choral works.

The William Jewell College Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Lawrence Abernathy, is an auditioned, highly selective ensemble composed of the College’s very best undergraduate choral singers. The Concert Choir placed 2nd in The American Prize in Choral Performance, College/University Division, in 2018-2019 and 2015-2016. The group has appeared in performance with the Canadian Brass, King’s Singers and the American Spiritual Ensemble.

Since 1985, the Concert Choir has made a triennial two-week concert tour through England and Scotland. The Concert Choir’s latest two albums on Centaur Records and Albany Records and are available for download and streaming on most platforms.

The Opera Workshop is an ensemble that involves the students in the study of a selected opera, opera scenes or operetta. The study will include examination of the music and libretto and the effect these elements have on the characterization of each role, normally culminating in a public performance. Recent performances include “Orpheus in the Underworld” comic operetta by Jacques Offenbach, “The Gift of the Magi” by David Conte, and Gian Caro Menotti’s opera “The Medium.”