Music & Fine Arts
Join a tight-knit music and fine arts community where you'll forge lifelong friendships and discover personal growth.
What do a choir, a marching band and awesome scholarships have in common? You will find them at Lenoir-Rhyne! You can make your heart race as you march with the Spirit of LR or soothe your soul with the melodies of our A Capella Choir.
Join a welcoming, talented group to experience a transformative musical journey—don't worry, you don't have to be a music major. Come shine on your personal stage!
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Take the next step in learning more about Lenoir-Rhyne University and our music and fine arts majors and programs.
Request InfoTake the next step in learning more about Lenoir-Rhyne University and our music and fine arts majors and programs.
March to Your Own Rhythm
Imagine showcasing your talent at prestigious events like the Cherry Blossom Parade, performing throughout the Southeast and adding your vibrant melodies to regional competitions and local celebrations.
As a member of the Spirit of LR Marching Band, you will be an integral part of the atmosphere, energy and excitement that fills the stadium on game days.
Plus, financial aid and scholarships are available to support your musical journey.
Come fine-tune your musical skills under our hall-of-fame inducted director, Neil Underwood, and many other established music faculty that will inspire you to become your best self and march to your own rhythm.
Opportunities abound for students at LR. Take a look at our music and fine arts groups on campus where you will be able to apply and grow your music talents.
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Music Performance Groups
A Cappella Choir
A Cappella Choir is our flagship choral ensemble which is open to all students by audition. Our choir engages in a lively performance schedule, while also acting as a service organization. Our group has traveled the country performing at countless national events and church services, including many trips abroad.Brass Ensemble
The Brass Ensemble is frequently seen in area churches, in formal recitals, at campus functions, in department-sponsored hymn festivals, and with the A Cappella Choir. The Brass Ensemble performs literature of all style periods and in a wide variety of genres.Chapel Choir
The Chapel Choir of the university provides music for weekly campus services in Grace Chapel on Wednesday mornings and for special services and occasions of the university and its sacred music program. The choir is occasionally conducted by students and accompanied by student instrumentalists, thus allowing students the opportunity to lead their peers and the campus community in worship.College Singers
The College Singers is a chamber ensemble composed of auditioned members of the A Cappella Choir. They sing in a variety of styles for university functions and on tour with the A Cappella Choir.Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble is an active performing ensemble dedicated to furthering students' abilities to play jazz and other popular styles. The Jazz Ensemble is a reorganization of the "stage band" tradition, performing diverse styles of music including swing, bebop, blues, funk, Latin, and popular song. Membership in the Jazz Ensemble is open to all Lenoir-Rhyne University students by audition.Marching Band
The “Spirit of LR” Marching Band continues the legacy established by its founding director, Robin Gatwood, while making its own mark of excellence in the LR marching band tradition. The band cheers on the team and provides entertainment at all home football games. It performs in exhibitions for area high school band competitions and participates in local holiday parades such as Charlotte’s Novant Health Care Parade on Thanksgiving Day.Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble performs a wide variety of standard and new percussion ensemble literature which utilizes all of the standard percussion instruments. The university Percussion Ensemble performs actively on the LRU campus, in our community, in high schools throughout North Carolina, and has appeared at national percussion-related conferences.The ensemble performs a wide variety of standard and new percussion ensemble literature which utilizes all of the standard percussion instruments. In addition to traditional percussion ensemble literature, the LR ensemble makes use of a few more unusual "instruments." The Steel Drum Ensemble was established in the Spring of 2000 and has quickly become a popular group in the community. This ensemble performs regularly both on and off campus and is open to all interested students.
Wind Symphony
Performing formal concerts each semester in Lenoir-Rhyne's P.E. Monroe Auditorium, the Wind Symphony is the flagship of the instrumental program. The ensemble performs large band literature from all periods and styles appropriate to the college concert band setting.The Wind Symphony is comprised of both LR students and qualified community participants who enjoy rehearsing and performing in a large concert band setting. Since the Wind Symphony accepts members at or near the beginning of each semester, the opportunity to join the band is never far away.
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Fine Arts Student Groups
Playmakers
If you have a flair for the dramatic, consider joining the Playmakers, the official producing body of our Lenoir-Rhyne theatre program. Meet friends and help stimulate interest in the arts while providing a theatre experience for our community.Film Club
Our collaborative filmmaking team is passionate about creating artistic works on campus and the surrounding area. Members collaborate on creative works and share their productions with others.Lenoir-Rhyne News
Lenoir-Rhyne News is the media outlet of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, and includes campus radio (99.3 WLRZ, The Lair), the student-produced newspaper and television shows. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of major. Hone your communication skills and build your resume while having fun and networking with those in the business.Cantos Literary Magazine
Cantos is the literary magazine of Lenoir-Rhyne University. It offers an avenue for students to feature their works of creative writing, poetry, short-stories as well as photography and illustrations. Published annually by the English Department of the College of Arts and Letters, the magazine encourages creative expression and recognizes the talents of LR students.Debate Team
Debate can develop your research, critical thinking and communication skills, which are necessary for your success inside and out of the classroom. The focus of our team is to build a deeper understanding of argumentation and advocacy through participation and practice in public and competitive debates. Our team travels to intercollegiate tournaments beginning in the fall of each academic year.
LR offers transformational experiences in the classroom, concert hall, rehearsal room or with the marching band on the field.

I have developed an incredible work ethic and gained experience in technical and visual skills I couldn’t have learned anywhere else.
Go Beyond What’s Expected
We don’t just offer a world-class education—we create a community of passionate learners to lift you up and inspire you to become your best self.







A $265,000 grant from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation will provide scholarships for undergraduate nursing students at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2025–26, supporting women pursuing careers that serve the healthcare needs of their communities.
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They’ve led research teams, earned national honors and represented LR’s science programs with distinction. But Christina Fisher and Demmi Ramos also built something less visible and just as lasting—a friendship rooted in trust, support and shared challenges.
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