With one of the most highly regarded music programs in the Pacific Northwest, Whitworth attracts top student musicians from throughout the United States. Fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the Whitworth Music Department averages 90 music majors. Music majors may pursue tracks in classical performance (instrumental, piano, or vocal), jazz performance, music education, composition, piano pedagogy, and music ministry. In addition, the music department serves many more Whitworth students through the music minor, private study, and participation in music ensembles. The Whitworth University Music Department features nine major ensembles: Whitworth Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Choir, Men’s Chorus, Jazz Ensembles I and II, Whitworth Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Symphony Orchestra. In addition, there are a number of jazz combos and chamber ensembles, including percussion ensemble, string ensemble, and Chamber Winds. Hafso, D.M.A. Members of all of the choirs represent a variety of academic majors and celebrate the joy of singing and community through the study and performance of a wide variety of music. The choral ensembles perform together every December in Whitworth’s popular Christmas Festival, presented both in Spokane and in the Seattle area. In addition to national tours, the Whitworth Choir has performed in Argentina and Norway. In addition to the two jazz ensembles and five jazz combos, the jazz studies program at Whitworth University includes private study and coursework with some of the most outstanding jazz musicians and teachers in the region. Directed by Dan Keberle, D.M.A., the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble 1 is one of the Northwest's finest college jazz bands, and has toured throughout the United States, Europe, Cuba, and South America. The band features a major jazz artist as guest soloist every year, and recent artists have included Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Arturo Sandoval, Lee Konitz, Kenny Garrett, and Steve Turre. One of the outstanding college bands in the Pacific Northwest, the Wind Symphony has appeared in concert at conferences of the Washington Music Educators Association, the Northwest Division of the Music Educators National Conference, and the Western/Northwestern region of the College Band Directors National Association. Directed by Richard Strauch, D.M.A., the Wind Symphony has premiered several new works, recorded five CDs, and toured in the western United States, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. The Whitworth Symphony Orchestra and String Department are under the direction of violinist and conductor, Philip Baldwin, D.M.A. The orchestra performs major works of standard repertoire and accompanies the winners of its annual concerto competition. Other highlights include concert tours to destinations such as California, Utah and Hawaii, and featured performances at the MENC All-Northwest Conference.
