MU Commercial Ensembles

The goal of the commercial lab band is to enable students to improve their ability to rehearse, arrange, perform, and record commercial popular music repertoire in a group setting. Song selection, arrangement duties, individual rehearsal schedules, and recording goals will be arranged at the beginning of each semester.

• The commercial bands serve roughly 70 students each year. Eligible people are those students who have auditioned and been accepted as a music major or minor. Any other majors and minors are not eligible, and the student must have first auditioned officially through the department and the major or minor declared. We don’t audition people who haven’t completed these steps first and the declaration is official in the student’s transcript.
• Auditions for all commercial bands occur during the first Monday and Tuesday of the first week of classes in the fall. Students who audition during this time get priority placement.

• You will be placed in one of the two classes. You won’t get to choose your time or your class. It is based on instruments needed, people’s abilities, and what is needed for that group at the director’s discretion. The classes that are under this ensemble category include:

  - MUSI 124 Commercial Lab Bands – Tuesdays/Thursdays 4pm – 5:30pm

  -MUSI 324 Commercial Music Ensemble – Tuesdays/Thursdays 2:30pm – 4:00pm

• If you have a class conflict, you will not be enrolled into commercial bands until it is resolved, and any potential conflicts need to be disclosed in the information document. (i.e. Marching Band, Cantilena, etc. and the director can work with you to resolve conflicts.)
• THE DIRECTOR WILL ENROLL THE STUDENT IN THE COURSE. You will not be able to register yourself in the course. Please pay attention to any potential class conflicts.
• Audition placement is for the entire year. That means you are expected to be in the group the entire year. Leaving a band is extremely intrusive and wastes a lot of time for the group. If you audition mid-year for something (i.e. jazz bands, choirs, etc.) You must stay in the commercial bands.
• NEW for Fall 2025 and going forward – Students who can only stay one semester are not eligible for priority placement.
• If you drop out midway during the year for another ensemble, and don’t stay in the commercial bands, you will be INELIGIBLE to audition for any priority placement or for the Artist Development Program any time after the semester you left. This means there may not be a spot for you in the bands going forward. This ensemble is for people who are committed to stay for the year, and the people that stay will be rewarded by getting priority placement for all future years because they demonstrated professionalism needed for this program.
• Vocalists who audition for jazz ensembles mid-semester and win the audition are expected to STAY in commercial bands all year because you have made a commitment to the people in your band. Vocalists in jazz groups only get 1-3 songs max and they are short. You are welcome to do both ensembles, but not welcome to drop out of commercial band during that semester without consequence.
• Entering transfer students get priority placement mid-year ONLY if there is a space for them. Otherwise, they will need to be in another ensemble.

• Missed the August audition and want to be in commercial band? In rare cases these people may be placed halfway through a semester. If space opens up, then a mini audition may take place by the director for the spot if there is demand. These are the rare exception of people that may be allowed to only stay Fall semester:

  - Music Education Majors who have declared the Modern Band Certificate, and you have already completed one semester of any of the jazz bands may be placed in commercial bands as space permits, and only if the student has an acceptable level of playing on their instrument and voice to be compatible with the other musicians, and ONLY if they are leaving the next semester for student teaching.

  - Transfer students are eligible for only one semester if you began halfway through a semester and need one more semester to complete the requirements and are have declared graduation at the end of fall semester 

• Students are required to make room in their schedule for their assigned ensemble. No other classes, ensembles, lesson, internship, or work should be scheduled conflicting with your assigned ensemble time. 
• Concerts appear in the syllabus from the first day of class. It is your responsibility to plan with work and other conflicts. If you miss a concert, 25% of your grade will be an F.

Within the commercial bands programs there are two tracks:

- Commercial Bands Track – Can be repeated each year. Audition in August, instructor placed into groups via audition and skill needs. Everyone must start here, and have completed one year before being eligible to apply for the Artist Development Track.

 

- Artist Development Track –

• This track begins with a proposal. The proposal document and detailed information is emailed to students in the bands at the end of the Spring semester.
• Proposals are due prior to the last day of Finals week during the SPRING semester and must include lesson teacher recommendations emailed by that same time.

Eligibility for the ADP:

• Students need to have completed and passed Solfege 1 as a prerequisite.
• Students need to have completed and passed 1 year (2 semesters) of MUSI 294 or MUSI 324 as a prerequisite (including transfers need to complete one FULL year of commercial bands at MU).
• You must be approved by your lesson teacher. Without their approval that student can’t participate in ADP or have their proposal approved that year.
• All students listed in the proposal must have demonstrated appropriate musicianship, interpersonal communication, and professionalism at a level worthy of participating in this program based on the rubrics provided to the classes the year prior.
• All students must have NOT dropped out of commercial bands at any point during the year or the semester. (This point is at the director’s discretion if there was a valid reason.)
• The instructor has the right to refuse or demote a student into the ADT at any time based on any attendance, preparation, and/or behavioral issues.
• This option is a privilege and is reserved only for students who have proved maturity to be able to handle the demands and deadlines. Students who are demoted or refused, would then participate in the Commercial Bands Track.

About the proposal and lesson teacher recommendations:

• Proposals are only accepted to begin the school year each August.
• Students self- choose group with no less than 5 people and no more than 7 people.
• If your proposal goes forward, the director will ask for a meeting with your group and must be completed no later than the first day of classes of the start of the August semester.
• A limited number of proposals can be accepted based on space limitations during rehearsal times each semester and the total needs of the number of ensembles.

Proposal Components:

• Each person – lesson teacher approval via email to Dr. Jester prior to the last day of finals in the Spring semester.
•  1 Proposal Document that contains:

             - What the group wants to create – write a clear statement of vision for the group complete                 with a detailed timeline of goals broken down by month.
             - A year long timeline to perform and record.
             - Demonstrate small songwriting portfolio.
             - Groups would create a timeline for group goals in conjunction with the timeline required                   for course

Proposals would be either accepted, rejected, or resubmit with suggestions for amendments and to resubmit. For questions and more info, contact Dr. Jester directly at Jennifer.jester@millersville.edu.

For the Audition:

1. Commercial Music Ensemble Auditions and First Week of Rehearsals: Auditions are during the FIRST TWO DAYS OF CLASS IN AUGUST. Complete the Audition Form FALL 2025 LINK: https://forms.office.com/r/4tEViVvqdJ

After you fill out this form, I will send out the audition slot sign up link to everyone who has filled out this form a week or two prior to the start of school VIA email.

2. Check out what to prepare. EVERYONE MUST BRING THEIR OWN TRACKS TO PLAY WITH. There is a BIG Bluetooth speaker you’ll play with. During the 7-minute audition, you will sing/play the materials for your particular voice/instrument. PLEASE READ THE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BELOW FOR YOUR SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT/VOICE. PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH YOUR OWN TRACKS TO PLAY WITH. YOU are responsible for coming in and having YOUR OWN accompaniment ready to go, or you will forfeit your audition time. Each audition slot is 7 mins. NEW members (freshmen to seniors!) are welcome and encouraged to audition. Previous experience is not required.

For what to prepare, GO HERE https://www.millersville.edu/music/ensembles/commercial/commercial-band-audition-material.php

If you still have questions on what to prepare, please contact your private lesson teacher via email or Dr. Jester at Jennifer.jester@millersville.edu

3. Special Note for Virtual Instruments people: For these ensembles, you must have YOUR OWN EQUIPMENT and be able to play something IN REAL TIME -i.e. midi drums, etc. Do not bring a track of something you made and press play. This group is about you learning how to trigger things in real time, and it is expected that you have your own computer, interface (i.e. Focusrite Scarlet), and software that allows you to trigger – i.e. FL studio, Ableton, etc. In the audition you’ll need to demonstrate something PLAYING LIVE. Otherwise this isn’t the ensemble for you at this time, and you need to audition for University Choir as your ensemble for the year. Please be sure to check out the TWO VI sections on this website for more info: https://www.millersville.edu/music/ensembles/commercial/commercial-band-audition-material.p

To audition for a Commerical Ensemble, please visit here for details!

Dr. Jennifer Jester: jennifer.jester@millersville.edu

Office: WVPAC 215

Phone: 417-988-7312