Department of Teacher Education and Music

Winds & Percussion

Wind Ensemble

The KWU Wind Ensemble is dedicated to performing the highest-quality literature of the wind band, both old and new! This ensemble performs one to two concerts per semester, in addition to hosting honor band festivals, performing at university and community functions, and going on regional tours. Working in collaboration with the KWU String Orchestra, select members of the group will join the orchestra to perform full orchestra pieces on concerts.

The Howl of Kansas Wesleyan Pep Band

The Howl is Kansas Wesleyan’s athletic band, performing at events with all new instruments and a new look. If you’re looking for a high-energy ensemble and something different from a traditional marching band, this is the group for you.

Jazz Ensemble

The KWU Jazz Ensemble is a select ensemble that focuses on jazz techniques and repertoire. The jazz ensemble stays busy by preparing for concerts, festivals and community functions.

Percussion Ensemble

This group performs exciting and eclectic percussion music from all over the world.

Marching Band

Beginning in Fall 2026, KWU students will have the opportunity to participate in the university’s new Marching Band program.

Voice

Philharmonic Choir

The Philharmonic Choir is the larger concert choir at KWU. The membership is open to any KWU students, and the ensemble has students in all areas of academic studies. This group tours regionally or nationally each spring and performs a variety of music from classical to contemporary.

Wesleyan Chorale

The Wesleyan Chorale is a select vocal ensemble of 24 students. Auditions for this ensemble are held each fall, and membership is based on a one-year commitment. The ensemble performs and entertains in a variety of venues on and off campus throughout the academic year.

Strings

String Orchestra

The KWU String Orchestra performs demanding literature from across the medium. The ensemble is highly active in the community and region.

The KWU SO has garnered state and national recognition in recent years. In 2017, the orchestra was selected for the first time in program history to perform at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop and followed that appearance with a return to KMEA in 2019. The orchestra was honored with the “American Prize” as a Finalist for the 2017-2018 Ernst Bacon Award for Best Performance of American Music – Collegiate Division. The KWU SO enjoys a unique partnership with The Salina Symphony, which, via audition, serves to enhance orchestra members’ string/chamber music experiences with a full-orchestra one.

Through partnerships with several community organizations, KWU is able to provide students with many opportunities to rehearse and perform with professional musicians.

Salina Symphony Orchestra

All string music majors are invited to audition to perform in Salina’s regional symphony orchestra and learn about its operation. Wind/Percussion majors may be invited based on available openings. Students may have opportunities to assist the directors of the Salina Youth Symphony and Youth Choir attending rehearsals, sitting in with the younger players, leading sectionals and providing private lessons. This allows for the unique opportunity of hands-on teaching experience with elementary through high school students outside of the public school experience.

Theatre Salina

Kansas Wesleyan has a history of partnering with the nationally recognized Theatre Salina to put on a large-scale musical each year. This partnership includes students, faculty, and community members in the cast, crew, and pit orchestra. Unique among universities in the area, our partnership with Theatre Salina gives students the opportunity to experience quality theatre productions without traveling outside of Salina.

Off-Campus Performances

Close ties within the community surrounding us also enable students to perform in community concerts, local churches, and even regional tours. The ensembles at KWU have gone on tours statewide, regionally, and even internationally and we are excited for these opportunities to continue and expand. Most recently, the choirs toured the Southwest region; in the past, they have even traveled internationally throughout Europe and even China!

Students Teaching Students

KWU students may also give private lessons to young area musicians while being mentored and advised by faculty.

Performances

Close ties the community also enable students to perform in musical theatre and opera productions, community concerts, and local or regional tours. The Kansas Wesleyan University Philharmonic Choir and its select-voice ensemble, the Wesleyan Chorale, tour regionally, nationally, and internationally (every four years). Past tours include China, California, England, and the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary.

Music Department
The KWU Department of Music believes a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is vital for academic excellence and musical artistry. Through the ideals of inclusivity, all are welcome to experience a vast variety of musical experience in both academic and performance settings. The Department of Music commits to developing and sustaining practices that nurture the educational missions of the department, division and university.

Updated September 2023

Kansas Wesleyan University’s Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

Accreditation information is available at this link.

Students gain experience through hands-on activities that provide authentic preparation for teaching through projects, collaboration opportunities and work in schools. Early field experiences in the Salina School District and surrounding areas provide a variety of classroom participation opportunities, preparing students for the challenges of the profession.

Our Teacher Education early field experiences include more than 70 field hours before students enter clinical practice, offering rich and diverse field experiences.

The KWU Teacher Education Department is committed to continuous assessment and improvement of our teacher education program. Data from various assessments help drive program and policy change to ensure KWU’s program is aligned with State Standards.

EDUC (ELEM) Professional Licensure – Public Disclosure 07.01.26

EDUC (ELEM) Professional Licensure – Manual & Evidence 07.01.26

EDUC (HEALTH) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Public Disclosure 07.01.26

EDUC (HEALTH) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Manual & Evidence 07.01.26

EDUC (MUSI INSTRU) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Public Disclosure 07.01.26

EDUC (MUSI INSTRU) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Manual & Evidence 07.01.26

EDUC (MUSI VOCAL) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Public Disclosure 07.01.26

EDUC (MUSI VOCAL) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Manual & Evidence 07.01.26

EDUC (PHYS ED) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Public Disclosure 07.01.26

EDUC (PHYS ED) Pre K-12 Professional Licensure – Manual & Evidence 07.01.26

Teacher Education Program Handbook

Annual Title II Report

• Meet the Faculty (Full-Time)
• Music Hall of Fame
• Departmental Recital Signup (Fillable)
• Junior/Senior Recital Form (PDF)