Organized in 1946 by Ariel M. Lovelace, the Vesper Choir is a service organization that has performed for significant campus and community events, schools, churches, and community organizations around the state of Arkansas and internationally. With a mission that is cultural, artistic and educational, the group has produced a long line of distinguished singers, performers and professionals in other work fields and academics including Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, prominent theologian, pastor and author; Smokie Norful, Grammy award-winning contemporary gospel artist and pastor; and the late James McKissic, internationally renowned concert pianist.

The UAPB Vesper Choir is a traditional college choir that performs repertoire from diverse stylistic periods; generally for experienced singers.  The Vesper Choir performs classical choral literature, spirituals, contemporary choral literature, choral jazz and gospel selections. Participation is not limited to music majors and minors.  Prerequisites:  audition, interview, letter of recommendation from the student’s high school director, or other music professional and consent of the Director. Performance ensembles in the Music Department include:  Vesper Choir, University Singers, Opera Workshop, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and Wind Symphony.  Membership in these ensembles is based upon audition and is not limited to music majors.  Excluding the semester the student is registered for student teaching, senior project, or internship, students seeking the B.S in Music (Teaching or Non-Teaching) degree are required to register for an ensemble each semester depending on their degree.  Students must pass a minimum of seven semesters of ensemble to meet graduation requirements.   Students seeking a B.S. in Music Sound Recording Technology must enroll in a minimum of four semesters of ensemble.

The internationally recognized University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Vesper Choir, under the direction of Mr. Jerron Liddell,is nationally recognized among historically Black colleges and universities for its diverse repertoire and excellent performances. This 75-80 member select ensemble, founded in the 1940s by Professor Ariel Lovelace and conducted for more than 40 years by Professor Shelton J. McGee, has a rich choral tradition that includes numerous performances on radio and television, as well as performances in Italy and Spain.

Learn more about the John E. Smith Endowment Fund.

The Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4) is under the direction of Mr. John Graham and Assistant directors, Mr. Darryl Evans and Mr. Harold Fooster. M4 performs for all home football games and travels to almost all games away from campus. The marching band has made appearances at the Gateway Classic, Professional football games, national television and countless “Battle of the Bands” competitions. Each year M4 hosts its “Band Day”, where several high school bands from throughout the country get the opportunity to attend a Golden Lion football game, play as a mass band, and perform their half-time shows for each other. The Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South performed in the 2008 inaugural parade of President Barack Obama.

The Jazz Ensemble is the premiere jazz group that performs a variety of styles which include swing, contemporary, funk, progressive and the standards. This ensemble takes annual tours both locally and nationally.

The Wind Symphony is an ensemble of select students that performs only the finest wind ensemble literature, features soloists, and commissions new works for wind ensembles.

The Brass Ensemble is comprised of some of the finest musicians in the Department of Music at UAPB. This ensemble rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Entry into this ensemble is by audition only.

The Percussion Ensemble performs top concert and world percussion literature. This ensemble primarily consists of percussion majors and is open by audition to other percussion students.

The Chamber Saxophones is a group of saxophone players who are performing standard literature written and transcribed for the full range saxophones.