Commercial Bands

Tiffin University’s Word on the Street is a funk/fusion band that takes inspiration from a wide variety of genres and artists. Having evolved from a more traditional jazz ensemble, the group now aims to put a funky and modern interpretation on classic songs as well as perform charts from today’s hippest jam bands. Word on the Street is strongly influenced by acts such as Snarky Puppy, Vulfpeck, Scary Pockets, Corey Wong, James Brown and many others. Word on the Street tours extensively around the Great Lakes region, and appears regularly in the community and at a number of clubs and live music venues in the region. For more information, please contact Drew Parent at parenta@tou18.com

Tiffin University’s Behind the Times is a five-member indie band that specializes in original music. Every member of Behind the Times — its three vocalists who also play guitar, uke and keyboard, a bass player and a drummer — all work collaboratively on writing original songs, mentored by TU songwriting instructor Alex Manfredo. Behind the TImes has opened for the rock trio Kid Sistr and have been featured at venues around the region. For info, please contact Prof. Manfredo at manfredoai@tou18.com

Lost Intentions is the newest of Tiffin University’s commercial music ensembles, consisting of several vocalists, guitarists and keyboard players, accompanied by a rhythm section and string players. Directed by songwriter/producer Dan Myers, the acoustic indie band performs a mix of creative adaptations of current and classic popular music, as well as original songs written by its members. Lost Intentions performs on campus and in the community, and will be featured at FusionFest 2022, TU’s newest music festival. For info, please contact Prof. Myers at myersdj@tou18.com

Tiffin University has been leading the way in contemporary a cappella music for more than a quarter century, offering the nation’s first university-sponsored pop a cappella group directed by a music faculty member, Ohio’s first one-on-a-mic a cappella group, and one of the first groups to create a hybrid sound that connects current pop a cappella sensibilities with the deep artistry and musical challenges of vocal jazz. TU a cappella alumni have gone on to perform in a number of professional vocal groups, and have had successful careers as lead singers for commercial bands around the region.

Learn More About A CapPella

Tiffin University uniquely offers students the opportunity and support to start their own bands and develop independent projects, with the oversight and advice of a professional faculty or staff mentor. Successful student-led groups and projects are often featured alongside faculty-directed ensembles in performances or recording projects.