Department of Performance Music
Students and community musicians of all abilities are welcome to join.
Music at Keystone
Do you love to sing or play an instrument, but don’t want to major in music? The Keystone College Performance Music offerings are available to allow you to belong to one of the largest and most successful campus organizations here at the college. With typically over 100 musicians, we offer you the opportunity to not only create meaningful musical moments, but to connect with other students and build friendships while here at Keystone.
Performance Music at Keystone College includes exciting opportunities for instrumentalists and vocalists of all ability levels. The various instrumental and vocal ensembles at Keystone are completely free, with no audition, fees, or tuition necessary. Keystone’s musicians are primarily college students, but we are proud to welcome adult community musicians and select high school upperclassmen to join our ensembles.
2023 Early Spring Concert: The Bonds Music Brings
2023 Early Spring Concert: The Bonds Music BringsWe are honored to invite you to the Keystone College Early Spring Concert: The Bonds Music Brings, featuring the Abington Heights High School Jazz Ensemble opening the show before Keystone groups take the stage! Sunday, March 5m at 7 p.m.
FREE, no registration required
The concert will showcase the AHHS Jazz Ensemble, as well as the KC Symphonic Band, Vocal Ensembles, and Jazz Ensemble. This hour long evening of music is sure to offer something for all musical tastes and preferences! Earlier in the day, both the AHHS and Keystone Jazz Ensembles will enjoy working in a clinic setting with both Tony Gairo and Tyler Dempsey.
During this diverse evening of music, performed will be vocal jazz standards, funk charts, and featuring the works of legendary jazz composers such as Duke Ellington. In addition, you will hear selections from Phantom of the Opera, and other Broadway favorites!
The concert will take place in The Theatre at Brooks on our campus.
Please visit www.facebook.com/musicatkeystone, email music@keystone.edu or call 570-945-8599 for more information
The Keystone College music ensembles’ performances are supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Northern Tier Partners for the Arts. Promotion funded in part by the Wyoming County Room Tax Fund and the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau.
Music Scholarships
The Keystone College Department of Performance Music awards six donor-funded scholarships.
In order to qualify, a student must currently be a member of the KC Performance Music ensembles in good standing, or plan to be, upon entering the College as a first-year student. Interested students – both incoming and current – should apply by Thursday, July 8. Students should read the application carefully to determine eligibility.
Instrumental Ensembles
- Symphonic Band
- Jazz Ensemble
- KC Drumline
- Chamber Ensembles
- Athletic Band
- KC Jazz Combo
- Brass Quintet
Vocal Ensembles
- The Chorale at Keystone
- The Keystone College Chamber Singers
- The KC Vocal Jazz Ensemble
- Solo Vocal Opportunities
All Keystone College student musicians receive:
- Free individual weekly lessons
- Free instrument repair whenever possible
- Frequent social gatherings / meals together
- Instruments are provided when needed (either college-owned or donated / loaned)
- All musical supplies are provided to them (reeds, valve oil, etc.)
- All summer music camps are free for Keystone students
- Winter / Summer Session Offerings (clinics, workshops, etc.)
- Travel opportunities
Student-musicians Briana Welch, Kayla Grzech, Michael Green, and Dylan Cummings represented Keystone College at the 74th annual Pennsylvania Intercollege Honors Band Festival at Shippensburg University and performed with over 100 musicians, amongst 22 colleges, including such fine institutions as Carnegie Melon University, The University of Scranton, Albright College, and Mansfield University.
FAQs - Check out the most frequently asked questions.
Are there any fees involved?
No! No $$
Is this a class I have to sign up for?
No! The Keystone Bands currently operate as a Student Activity.
Will I have to audition?
No! Everyone is eligible to perform with us. We will help you EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T PRACTICED IN MONTHS OR YEARS. Important to remember, is that once you start, you will be expected improve your abilities… but your only competition is yourself!
Do I need my own instrument?
You can use your own instrument if you have one. We will even find a place for you to store it on campus if need be. However, if you DON’T have an instrument, don’t let that discourage you. Instruments can be provided.
Do I have to participate in all 3 ensembles?
We would LOVE for you to be a part of all three ensembles, but if you can’t, you can pick and choose the right ensemble(s) for you. However, travel opportunities planned for the future may be reserved for only those students that participate in more than one of the ensembles.
Is rehearsal mandatory?
Yes! We need you regularly attend rehearsal in order to perform to the best of our abilities.
How many performances will there be?
Four concert performances are planned for each academic year and the Keystone Athletic band will, of course, perform at various Keystone athletic events.
But I play strings / guitar /only sing / harmonica / etc…
That’s okay! We’ll find a role for you, and we’re always looking for jazz vocalists!
How do you ensure the safety of minors on campus?
Keystone College has an existing system in place for high school athletic camps, art festivals, etc. and we will as well. We will have parent / guardian consent form, background checks for volunteers, basic health forms, and campus security involved in keeping students safe!