Because people today are accustomed to listening to electronic instruments, school music ensembles need to rise to the challenge of reflecting present-day culture by doing a "contemporary makeover". This is all-important if ensembles are to command student respect and attract new members. With a creative mindset and openness to innovation, one can include electronic musical instruments (e.g., electronic keyboard, electric guitar, electric bass, electronic drums, wind controllers, effects devices, and others) to both enhance and update the sound of ensembles and infuse contemporary sounds and electronically produced timbres into the fabric of ensemble sound. In this article, the author presents techniques and concepts that can be used to create a richer, more colorful, more contemporary sound in instrumental and vocal ensembles of all styles, ages, and ability levels by taking advantage of modern-day innovations in music technology. These techniques are not meant to be comprehensive, but rather a springboard from which one can begin a journey of discovering and implementing creative ways to update the sound of ensembles.