Instrumental Programs

Regardless of your major or instrument, we can find a place for you! Participation in one or more of our instrumental ensembles provides you with an opportunity to continue making music as well as earn academic credit. We hope you will find a musical home here.


MC3 Band Logo

Photo of MC3 Horns Section

The Maryville College-Community Concert Band (MC3Band) serves a dual purpose: to provide a means of artistic expression for all its members (community, faculty, staff, and student) within the wind band medium, and to provide Maryville students with the opportunity to perform and learn within a large ensemble setting.

Established in 1992 by Professor Larry Smithee, the band is now led by Jay Romines, who has served as the band director of Knoxville Catholic High School for 22 years.  A saxophonist by trade, Romines has served as the College’s saxophone teacher for several years, which gives him prior knowledge of the MC Division of Fine Arts and its associated bands.  Band members include working musicians, educators, high school and college students, business professionals and retirees from throughout East Tennessee. Using a symphonic band instrumentation, the band performs repertoire from the entire scope of the wind band tradition.

The band, now in its 31st year, serves a dual purpose: to provide a means of artistic expression for all of its members (community and student) within the wind band medium, and to provide MC students with the opportunity to perform and learn within a large ensemble setting.  New community members must complete a successful audition to join the ensemble.  Auditions are held at the start of the fall and spring semester of each season.  Woodwinds, brass, and string bass performers should be prepared to: play the chromatic scale (full practical range in a tempo that demonstrates skill with clarity), play a short lyrical section of a solo, etude, or excerpt (30-40 seconds max), play a short technical section of a solo or etude (30-40 seconds max), and sight-read a short selection.  Percussionists should be prepared to: play a section of a snare drum solo, etude, or excerpt (30 seconds max), play a section of a xylophone or marimba solo, etude, or excerpt (30 seconds max), play a section of a timpani solo, etude, or excerpt (30 seconds max), and sight-read a short selection.  For additional details or to schedule an audition, please contact Dr. Eric Simpson at eric.simpson@maryvillecollege.edu or Jay Romines at jay.romines@maryvillecollege.edu or use the form.Interested?  Contact us >

 

The Orchestra at Maryville College

The college orchestra is an important and vital part of the cultural community of the city of Maryville and Maryville College. Founded in 1916, the orchestra was known as the “College Orchestra” until 1936, when it assume the moniker of the “Maryville Little Symphony Orchestra.” The ensemble regularly performed at the college’s production of “Messiah” and at other campus events. In 1969, the ensemble grew to include community members (in addition to students), and in 1978 was renamed “MACCO” (for Maryville-Alcoa College Community Orchestra).

Dr. Ace Edewards is the Conductor of the Orchestra at Maryville College. Edewards brings a background in conducting both symphonies and opera performances, having worked with both the Marble City Opera and Knoxville Opera. In addition, he’s the founding conductor of the Scruffy City Orchestra, also based in Knoxville, and local listeners of WUOT-FM’s “Afternoon Concert” radio show will recognize him as a former producer and host of that classical program.

The orchestra brings live performances to the public stage three times a season.  Rehearsals normally focus on preparation for a joint spring performance with the Maryville College Community Chorus in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre.

The Orchestra at Maryville College uses a traditional symphony orchestra instrumentation.  Experienced string musicians are encouraged to join, as are serious high school string players. Wind players/percussionists audition for placement at the beginning of each season. For more information on membership, or how to set up an audition, please contact Dr. Ace Edewards at ace.edewards@maryvillecollege.edu or the Division of Fine Arts office at 865.981.8150.

Location:
All concerts are held in the Clayton Center for the Arts, Ronald & Lynda Nutt Theatre, on the Maryville College campus. Tickets are available at the Clayton Center Box Office 865-981-8590.

Ticket prices:
$5 for the general public.  Free of charge for Maryville College Faculty, Students, and Staff.

Interested?  Contact us >

 

MC Tartan Band Logo

Tartan Band Sax Section

Tartanband – since 1909….

Instrumental music has long been a priority for Maryville College. The “M.C. Cornet Band” was established in 1909, and student musicians have been entertaining and enlightening audiences on the campus ever since. Like almost all college instrumental groups, the band was all male until 1937, and in the 1940s took on the moniker of the “Highlander Band” (adding kilts in 1954.)

Today, Maryville is still a great place for music: Tartanband is a student instrumental ensemble at Maryville College. The ensemble meets as a class and counts for credit, with a zero-credit option available with instructor permission.

Students in the tartanband come from all majors and academic divisions in the College. And, scholarships are available to both music and non-music majors for participation in tartanband. For more information on scholarships, membership, or how to set up an audition, please contact Dr. Eric Simpson, Director of Bands (eric.simpson@maryvillecollege.edu).

Interested?  Contact us >

 

Band Member Playing Drums

 

Band Member Holding Saxophone

 

Photo of Band Member's Horn

 

Interested?  Contact us >

 

More Info About Fine Arts at MC:

Interested in participating in a fine arts program at Maryville College? Please use the Fine Arts inquiry form to provide us with some information about yourself. An MC Admissions specialist, will put you in touch with one of our fine arts faculty, who will contact you to discuss your options.

Scholarships, Awards, & Auditions

The Division of Fine Arts offers several opportunities to both first-year and returning or transfer students based on academic achievement, interest areas, leadership and talent. Learn More about the awards and qualifications >

Faculty & Staff
Chair, Division of Fine Arts, Professor of Music
Dr. William Swann
Chair, Division of Fine Arts, Professor of Music
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Associate Professor of Music; Director of Bands
Dr. Eric Simpson
Associate Professor of Music; Director of Bands
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OMC Conductor
Dr. Ace Edewards
OMC Conductor
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MC3 Band Director, Adjunct Instructor of Music, Saxophone
Jay Romines
MC3 Band Director, Adjunct Instructor of Music, Saxophone
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Deborah Boling, Office Manager
Division of Fine Arts - Office
Deborah Boling, Office Manager