Music Performance Ensembles

ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ's music ensembles provide variety of experiences in vocal and instrumental ensembles. Vocal performance opportunities include the ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ 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 ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ Jazz Ensemble, which performs concerts twice a year, and the ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³ÏñOrchestra, 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

ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ 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

ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ Choral Society: MUS 140, 1.0 credit
Chamber Singers: MUS 143, 1.0 credit

The ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³ÏñChoirs include students from every corner of campus, ranging from biology and peace studies majors to music majors and minors. The ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ 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

ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ 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

ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³ÏñOrchestra: MUS 141, 1.0 credit

The ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³ÏñOrchestra (GCO) is the student orchestra of ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ College. Membership is open to ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ students for credit (1.0) or audit. ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ 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 ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ's Haebler Memorial Chapel in the fall.

ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ 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 ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ student composers, and appears frequently with the ÌÒÌ«ÀÉÓ³Ïñ College 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).