Music Performance Ensembles
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾'s music ensembles provide variety of experiences in vocal and instrumental ensembles. Vocal performance opportunities include the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Choral Society and Chamber Singers, which perform multiple times a year, host a yearly choral festival, collaborate with many regional ensembles, and have performed at Carnegie Hall. Instrumental performance opportunities include the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Jazz Ensemble, which performs concerts twice a year, and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Orchestra, which performs its own programs, and joins in collaboration with other ensembles.
An audition or permission of the instructor is required to participate. Audition times are announced at the beginning of each semester. Course credit may be earned at the rate of 1.0 credit hours per semester per group. Ensemble participation can be taken for credit or as an audit. Students enrolled in an ensemble can receive a voice or instrument lesson for a discounted rate of $200. Email Sara Thomson (sara.thomson@goucher.edu) for more information.
African Drum & Dance
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ African Drum and Dance Ensemble: MUS 146/DAN 146, 1.0 credit
Practical performance of selected percussive instruments from West Africa (Ghana, in particular), and the interpretation of the rhythms through body movement and gestures; explores the historical and cultural contexts of specific West African music and dance forms relative to the African diaspora. Students will be required to know the basic techniques of West African traditional music and dance expressions. Repeatable.
Choirs
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Choral Society: MUS 140, 1.0 credit
Chamber Singers: MUS 143, 1.0 credit
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Choirs include students from every corner of campus, ranging from biology and peace studies majors to music majors and minors. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Choral Society (MUS 140) focuses on major choral repertoire, often performed in collaboration with other choral ensembles and the college orchestra. The Chamber Singers (MUS 143) focuses on more advanced repertoire from the Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary works for smaller ensembles.
Jazz Ensemble
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Jazz Ensemble: MUS 149, 1.0 credit
Group performance designed to provide experience in reading charts and improvising in multiple jazz styles.
For more information email Kendall Kennison, (kendall.kennison@goucher.edu).
Orchestra
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Orchestra: MUS 141, 1.0 credit
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Orchestra (GCO) is the student orchestra of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾. Membership is open to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ students for credit (1.0) or audit. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ faculty and staff may also participate, and should contact Mike Semancik to indicate an interest in participating. Additional musicians are contracted for dress rehearsals and performances depending on student enrollment and repertoire requirements. GCO performs in the college's Kraushaar Auditorium (one of Baltimore's premier concert venues) in the spring and in the warm acoustic of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾'s Haebler Memorial Chapel in the fall.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ students and faculty often appear as soloists and guest conductors in concert. The orchestra performs major literature from the standard repertoire as well as works by advanced Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ student composers, and appears frequently with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÍøÕ¾ Choirs. The orchestra is staffed by a student manager who helps with stage management and librarian duties.
For more information email Roy Belfield, (roy.belfield@goucher.edu).
