Students will explore a number of musical styles and approaches in the process of creating their own extended works, with the possibility of performances at the end of the semester.
With varied repertoire, an intermediate-level women's choir providing excellent vocal training, occasional solo opportunities, and a structured sight-singing curriculum. Performs on and off campus, sometimes with men's choruses and orchestra. Previous ensemble experience is helpful, though not a prerequisite.
This course will focus on learning by ear and playing the polyrhythmic traditional music of the peoples of southern Ghana, Togo and Benin, including sections of Adjogbo and Agbekor. All students will learn drum, rattle and bell parts, some songs and some dance steps as well. Non musicians are welcome, but practicing between classes is required. The group will perform in a workshop at the end of the semester.
The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a select group of singers which performs classic and contemporary jazz vocal music. The group performs in concert twice a semester and occasionally off campus as well. Solo opportunities also exist with the Big Band and Chamber Jazz Ensembles for students enrolled in Vocal Jazz.
A mixed instrumental group for beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians. Students learn a variety of classic and contemporary swing, Latin, jazz, and pop standards. The group performs in concert twice a semester and occasionally off campus as well.