Performing Arts Events

The Butte College Symphonic Band, directed by Ryan Heimlich, features top woodwind, brass, and percussion students. The ensemble performs a wide range of wind repertoire—from Renaissance to contemporary works—each fall and spring. Students gain experience in rehearsal, performance, and musical interpretation through diverse programming and statewide tours.

Auditions are open to all students at the start of each semester and include sight-reading and a prepared piece. Loaner instruments are available.

The Butte College Jazz Ensemble is the official Big Band of Butte College under the direction of Ryan Heimlich.  Comprised of 15-20 students, the ensemble is a diverse cross section of various students. The group performs music by great Big Band composers such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Thad Jones, and Quincy Jones. Additionally, the group places a large focus on new and cutting edge music for large jazz ensemble by living and students composers. The Jazz Ensemble performs multiple times each year and travels to particpate in festivals and tours around California. Each year, we welcome auditions for saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section. 

Popular music program is an immersion into a creative environment that stresses the musical skills required for the successful, professional 21st century musician. Classes emphasize the respect for traditions, techniques and nuances of feel and groove through the examination of the various eras and forms of popular music repertoire. Students collaborate in small performance group settings, while simultaneously addressing their particular area of interest via private lessons. Career aspects — including performance, songwriting and arranging, recording studio efficiency, music production and entrepreneurship — are also taught.

We offer to our students the idea that the values of musical skills, artistic aesthetics and commercial sensibilities are not mutually exclusive.

There are curently three pop bands, directed by Ryan Davidson, Aman Cowell, and Dave Elke.

Choir is an ensemble that offers the vocal performer the opportunity to sing in an ensemble of dedicated and committed musicians, performing music from the Renaissance to the 21st Century.  Under the direction of Luke Nicolay, the Butte Choir rehearses weekly during the school year and performs at community events and concerts in and around the North State.

The Butte College Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Austin King.  Comprised of approxmiately 10 students and is open to all students. This ensemble prides itself on performing a variety of works from the percussion ensemble repertoire by composers such as Varèse, Cage, Rouse, Udow, Levitan, and Rosauro. The ensemble is dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of percussion performance through various musical styles including contemporary percussion, classical transcriptions, popular and jazz arrangements, ragtime, African and Eastern ethnic music as well as novelty works. The ensemble rehearses 2–3 hours a week and performs 1–3 concerts each semester. Membership is open to both music and non-music majors with consent of the instructor.