Drake Chamber Ensembles

The Drake University Flute Ensemble performs as a large ensemble–flute choir and divides into quartets for university and community performances. The group opens the annual Madrigal Dinners each winter holiday season, greeting participants with original settings of Elizabethan era Christmas Carols (as pictured above). Performing in the flute ensemble affords each student the opportunity to perform on piccolo, alto flute in G, and bass flute, as well as C flute, expanding their experiences in as chamber musicians.

The flute choir is comprised of members of the Drake flute studio and other interested flutists, under the direction of Dr. Leslie Marrs. Those interested in participating in this eclectic group should email Dr. Marrs.

Drake Saxophone Quartet is required of all saxophone majors, and are open to minors and non-majors by audition and instructor approval. Repertoire ranges from baroque transcriptions to standard French repertoire (Dubois, Desenclos, Rivier) to cutting-edge modern works by composers such as Mark Engebretson, Jacob ter Veldhuis, Gavin Bryars, and many others.

Quartet experience provides an invaluable link between solo and large ensemble work, as students learn to balance and blend, to lead and follow, and to work cooperatively on developing a cohesive ensemble sound and interpretive consensus.

The quartets perform a recital each semester, and also prepare for competitions at Drake (Honors Recital and Drake Concerto Competition) and outside of Drake, such as the MTNA Chamber Music Competition.

Chamber Music is a key component of the curriculum at Drake University. Drake ensembles have won competitions and been invited to perform at local and regional concert series and festivals. The groups are coached by faculty as well as receiving regular coachings with guest artists. Recent guest artists include the Chiara Quartet, the Miro Quartet, and the Emerson Quartet.