Alabama School of the Arts Ensembles

UM Worship Collective is a community of worship leaders and songwriters, comprised of students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The Collective exists to lead UM chapels in genuine expressions of worship.

Voices of Mobile is a highly versatile, auditioned vocal ensemble that presents over 200 concerts every year through regional and international tours. Their highly visible and consistent performing schedule offers students an unparalleled experience. Voices of Mobile has performed on significant stages at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church.

Deliverance Five is an auditioned and favored Southern Gospel quintet. This group maintains a consistent performance schedule in churches across the southeast due to high demand.

SoFree is an auditioned female vocal ensemble that performs various music styles. From pop a cappella to contemporary praise and worship, these ladies maintain a consistent touring schedule in churches, schools, and civic events. Originally named by combining the words “sophomore” and “freshman,” the group quickly grew to become one of the most favored ensembles on campus, featuring freshman-senior undergraduate students.

RamCorps is an elite, auditioned high-impact brass and percussion performance group which presents over 100 concerts every year. Musically energetic and visually passionate concerts combine for a uniquely electrifying performance event. RamCorps is not only loved by schools and churches in the southeast, they are two-time invited guests for the K-Love Christian Music Cruise and The American Festival Choir’s annual Christmas performance at Carnegie Hall. Additional performances include Macy’s NYC Black Friday event, Steinway & Sons Piano Factory, and several international tours. Alumni from this group are professional musicians, music ministers, and music educators, and also serve in a broad range of professions since many of its members minor in music and major in other areas.

Dunamis is an auditioned gospel ensemble at the Alabama School of the Arts, consisting of twelve talented student vocalists and six mentor vocalists who are leaders, faculty, or staff members. The group’s name, "Dunamis," derives from the Greek word meaning "power" or "strength," as referenced in Acts 1:8, which speaks of receiving power through the Holy Spirit. Dunamis premiered at Christmas Spectacular 2023 and captivated a full audience with their Spring 2024 night of worship, "From Dorsey to Dillard: An Evolutionary Journey through Gospel Music." Under the direction of Kenneth Brandon, Dunamis focuses on the rich heritage and unmistakable sound of gospel music, celebrating Christ's nature through an extraordinary demonstration of culture.

Welsh Revival, an all-female instrumental ensemble, specializes in the performance of Celtic and folk-styled music. This ensemble size ranges from 6 to 8 members including a flute/piccolo/penny whistle player, violins, cello, keyboards, and drums/percussion. Welsh Revival performs and travels extensively as ambassadors of the University.

Piano Ensemble is an auditioned ensemble consisting of undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and piano faculty. Participants perform one themed concert each semester in Moorer Auditorium on our two Steinway grand pianos. Our All-Steinway School allows students the opportunity to practice on the finest of instruments. Emphasis is placed on proper technique, musicality, and stylistic influence. Collaboration through duets and quartets allows for a rare educational experience.

Guitar Ensemble offers students, whose primary instrument is the guitar, an opportunity for group collaboration and performance. This ensemble instills a variety of industry-standard skills used by commercial electric and acoustic guitarists in live and studio settings. Emphasis is placed on creative tone-shaping, part-writing, and introduction to all genres of guitar literature.

String Ensemble is an auditioned group of elite instrumentalists featuring cello, violin, viola, and string bass. A strong emphasis is placed on technique, musicality, and broadening students’ knowledge of chamber and orchestral literature through a unique offering of performance opportunities. Members of this ensemble accompany the University Orchestra in all major productions and performances, including but not limited to operas, musicals, and the annual Christmas Spectacular.

Jazz Band is a Big Band instrumental ensemble comprised of a rhythm & horn section, performing an anticipated themed concert each semester. Emphasis is placed on jazz improvisation and diverse stylistic approaches to jazz, blues, swing, rock, Latin, funk, and fusion music. Recent audiences have packed the house for themed concerts such as the music of Walt Disney Corporation, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Bublé, James Bond, and Broadway.

Symphonic Winds is a large auditioned concert band that performs classical, traditional, and contemporary music as well as premiering new works. Participants perform one themed concert each semester and also accompany the University Orchestra in all major productions and performances. A strong emphasis is placed on broadening students’ knowledge of instrumental and band literature through a unique offering of musical styles.

University Chorale is a 30-voice choir consisting of undergraduate and graduate students majoring in the Alabama School of the Arts. With pieces spanning all periods of musical literature, Chorale offers an opportunity to fine-tune sight reading skills and vocal disciplines. Recent performances have included works such as The Rutter Requiem, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest, and selections from Eric Whitacre.

University Orchestra is a combination of the Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, alumni, and professional guest musicians from the Mobile Symphony. A combination of wind, string, brass, and percussion instruments offers students a traditional, yet first-class, orchestral experience under the direction of many acclaimed conductors each year. Performing a variety of musical works from all genres and style periods provides a unique and extensive education.

University Singers is a 120+ voice choir consisting of undergraduate and graduate students. University Singers exist when the University Chorale and Worship Choir combine for corporate and collaborative events such as Christmas Spectacular and Spring Spectacular. Their annual participation in Christmas Spectacular provides a platform for performing for over 10,000 people in person every year as well as worldwide exposure to 1.6 billion homes through the DAYSTAR television network. A strong emphasis is placed on broadening students’ knowledge of choral literature through a unique offering of musical styles. All students receiving a vocal scholarship participate in University Singers as well as either University Chorale or Worship Choir.