From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishensembleen‧sem‧ble /ɒnˈsɒmbəl $ ɑːnˈsɑːm-/ noun 1 [countable]APM a small group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together regularlyinstrumental/string/brass etc ensembleensemble of an ensemble of Mexican artistes2 [countable usually singular]GROUP OF THINGS a set of things that go together to form a whole3 [countable usually singular]DCC a set of clothes that are worn together an attractive ensembleGRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?Ensemble is usually followed by a singular verb: The jazz ensemble has played all over Europe.In British English, you can also use a plural verb: The jazz ensemble have played all over Europe.
Examples from the Corpus
ensemble• Directed by Robert Egan, the players are virtually doing solo work as opposed to creating a fluid ensemble.• Timothy Hutton heads a strong ensemble cast as a Manhattan pianist who returns home for his high school reunion.• In 1999 he took the key role of the bedridden father in the ensemble piece Magnolia.• It should always be used with definite intention - never mechanically added to the ensemble without consciously imagining its effect.• Today the ensemble are well established and perform a wide and varied repertoire ranging from renaissance to contemporary music.• The whole ensemble adds about two pounds to the weight of the patient.instrumental/string/brass etc ensemble• The series also features a performance by an expanded string ensemble of Brahms' Sextet in B flat.• An on-stage instrumental ensemble is conducted by Westminster Abbey's Harry Bicket.• Where available, trombones and a tuba complete the brass ensemble.• Auditions are also to be held for the brass ensemble, the junior brass ensembles and the baroque orchestra courses.• A delightful touch is that in the opening movements the instrumental ensemble is cast as an independent personality.• He also plays regularly with various brass ensembles and has worked with many London orchestras.Origin ensemble (1700-1800) French ensemble “together”, from Latin insimul “at the same time” 