Music Ensemble Activities and Opportunities

Transcription

1 Music Ensemble Activities and Opportunities

2 Welcome This booklet will help you choose from the variety of ensembles and opportunities within the music department, ensemble/workshop leaders have given brief details about some of the activities taking place. Please refer to the timetable on the notice boards in the music block and on music news, for further information on times and locations of the ensemble groups. If you would like to join an ensemble and are uncertain of how to contact the tutor, please ask Liz, Toni or Jackie at Music Reception. 2

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4 Vocal Otter Consort Ensemble leader: Arthur Robson and André da Silva This small vocal ensemble is for those who are highly experienced singers, with sight reading ability and a love of choral music both sacred and secular. The repertoire will be extensive and challenging and will require the members to learn the music off by heart. There is usually a residential course planned for reading week (semester 2) in Salisbury, culminating in the singing of Evensong in Winchester Cathedral. There will also be an international tour in the summer. Entry is by audition and if you have already had extensive choral experience you should contact arthur.robson@chi.ac.uk in order to arrange a suitable time to be heard. Chichester Chorale Ensemble leader: Arthur Robson This is a community choir for a mixed aged group, which welcomes students and local enthusiasts from the surrounding area. It gives three major concerts, one at the end of each term plus an Evensong in Chichester Cathedral in October. Membership is through audition which can be arranged by contacting arthur.robson@chi.ac.uk University Chamber Choir Ensemble leader: Arthur Robson and André da Silva Chamber Choir is one of the most challenging vocal ensembles at the University. The repertoire is extensive and varied. It performs concerts throughout the year and takes part in the Christmas Carol Services at Chichester Cathedral and in the Parish Church in Bognor Regis, in December. The Choir also tours in the summer months. If you have had previous experience of singing in a choir and are use to sight-singing then this ensemble is for you. The Choir meets three times a week, entry is by audition and you should contact arthur.robson@chi.ac.uk in order to arrange a suitable time to be heard. Singers Acting Workshop: Opera, Operetta, Musical Theatre Ensemble Leader: Michael Pearce Accompanist: Angela Zanders This workshop gives keen solo singers a wonderful opportunity to be involved in staging and performing scenes from opera, operetta and legit musical theatre, both in a solo or ensemble capacity. Tutored by international bass-baritone Michael Pearce, the group has previously performed scenes from works as varied as Don Giovanni, Die Fledermaus, Sweeney Todd and West Side Story. The first introductory session will include informal auditions for new members. Please be prepared to sing a solo with some dramatic content. Please refer to the department timetable for session days & times. 4

5 Musical Theatre Chorus Ensemble leader: Jan Winstone Music Theatre Chorus provides a new opportunity to sing ensembles from the music theatre repertoire as well as pop, rock, funk, close harmony and many other popular styles. MTC is an excellent way to increase your stylistic knowledge and hone your skills in harmony singing, music reading and learning by ear. We plan to take short programmes around the region throughout the year. Open to all students, following a short informal audition. First Year Choral Experience Workshop Leader: Arthur Robson and André da Silva This is a practical session for all year one music students of all persuasions! The emphasis in on having fun in learning and reinforcing musical concepts and improving the musical brain and musical memory through the use of the voice. Everyone has a voice and is encouraged to use it. Improve your ability to listen, to read music, and identify chord sequences, rhythmic patterns and melodic shapes. This is musical gymnastics for the mind and voice! Vital for all musicians! If you are tentative about your singing voice you will be amazed at what you can achieve in such a short time! Dispel your fears and just enjoy the experience. Gospel Choir Workshop Leader: André da Silva This is a practical session for anyone interested in Gospel music and a cappella singing. There have been performances in the last year in the cathedral for special services e.g. Dedication of the Queen s Golden Jubilee. What s required is enthusiasm, a desire to sing well, commitment to the regular rehearsal schedule, and to learn the music by heart. Barbara Moore Jazz Sessions Ensemble Leader: Barbara Moore Songwriting: All composers are invited to this class. Please bring either lyrics you have been working with or a melodic line/musical example of your work to the first session. Jazz Ensemble: Join Barbara s new jazz ensemble to sing standards and new material. The jazz ensemble will work towards a concert to take place during the last session, which will be a showcase for the semester s work. The group will also require a small ensemble of instrumentalists: double bass, guitar and sax. Please see the department posters for further information 5

6 Orchestras and Bands Symphony Orchestra Ensemble leader: Crispin Ward Symphony Orchestra is one of the most prestigious instrumental ensembles at the University. It performs concerts throughout the year in Chichester Cathedral, the University Chapel and in other venues and often tours in the Summer months. The Symphony Orchestra meet for intensive rehearsals for a short period before concerts rather than a regular weekly meeting, usually on Sundays during the day and Tuesday evenings. The orchestra is supported by tutors in all sections of the orchestra who also take sectional rehearsals. Membership is by audition. Chamber Orchestra Ensemble leader: Crispin Ward Chamber Orchestra is a small ensemble of between players who rehearse twice a week to produce high quality performances throughout the year, all over the UK and abroad. This is a big commitment for students as it is a showcase for the whole University and a high standard is expected. Repertoire ranges from the Baroque to 20th Century, they also give students an opportunity to play solo in concertos. Membership is by audition Pops Orchestra Ensemble leader: Crispin Ward Pops orchestra is for any instrumentalist who wants experience of playing in a large ensemble. There are approximately 70 performers and they explore film music, music from the shows, orchestral rock and pop music. The Pops Orchestra has recently toured the Channel Islands as well as giving concerts both within the University and at other venues. Entry is open to anyone Sinfonia Ensemble leader: Crispin Ward Pit band concentrates on developing an understanding of musical theatre performance within an instrumental ensemble. All aspects of playing in a theatre, in a pit or on stage, are explored with many opportunities to perform and to develop repertoire. The ensemble is sometimes employed by outside societies to accompany their show. One year they appeared on an advert for Ford. Membership is by audition. Wind Band Ensemble leader: Suzie Shrubb Wind Band is for any wind instrumentalist who wants experience of playing in an active lively ensemble. They explore film music, music from the shows, symphonic band music and pop music. The Wind Band has recently toured the Channel Islands as well as giving concerts both within the University and at other venues. Entry is open to anyone. 6

7 Big Band Ensemble leader: Crispin Ward The Chichester University Big Band is an opportunity for students to experience this very popular type of group. They have developed strong links with several popular amateur big bands based in the local area and in the past some students have helped these bands and have been paid for doing so. The Big Band is a perfect relaxed way of improving your sight reading skills particularly for players who are keen on Jazz but might feel their reading is weak, it is also ideal for reading musicians who want to tackle improvisation for the first time. Membership is by audition Sinfonietta Ensemble leader: Adam Swayne As the most challenging ensemble at the University, Sinfonietta will help you raise your playing and ensemble skills to the highest professional standards while you learn more about new music and have a lot of fun along the way. In annual 'New Music Chi' concerts we perform 21st century works from a broad stylistic basis, and experiment with new pieces written by both student and staff composers. Submissions by student composers are welcome at any time throughout the year. Formerly known as the Contemporary Music Group (CMG), our past performances of works by John Cage, Michael Nyman and David Byrne received coverage in the local press and Tempo magazine, and following an appearance at the 2009 Arundel Festival, CMG were invited to join the Titanic commemorations in Southampton in Entry to Sinfonietta is open to anyone that wants to engage with contemporary music, but is occasionally by audition for our most complex repertoire. A rehearsal schedule is drawn up at the beginning of each week and players are expected to attend the rehearsals as required each Thursday morning. Your rhythmic skills, sight reading, and sense of humour will be significantly enhanced by Sinfonietta, so do not hesitate to get involved! Flute Choir Ensemble leader: Student Led A brand new ensemble designed to celebrate all things flute. Playing a range of repertoire, from classical through to popular, everyone is welcome regardless of ability - no audition necessary. 7

8 Jazz and Folk Jazz Workshop Leader: Nick Reynolds Jazz workshop takes place on Wednesday afternoons. Students assemble in MB1 and are then assigned to groups based on experience / ability level. The jazz tutors then work with their group on a number of pieces during the afternoon, which are then usually showcased during Jazz Night. Any music student is welcome so long as they have a genuine interest in developing their jazz skills within a group setting. Any ability level is welcome but commitment is expected throughout the semester, since spaces are limited. students who have already attended jazz workshop regularly have automatic places and we will try to accommodate as many new students as possible. Jazz Nights Leader: Nick Reynolds Jazz night takes place on Wednesday evenings in MB1. We provide a relaxing atmosphere for any students with an interest in jazz, to be able to perform. The evenings are informal with a licensed bar, so you can enjoy a drink or two whilst listening to the music. Any style of jazz is welcome and the jazz tutors are always available to provide a houserhythm section for guest musicians. Jazz Nights also provide an opportunity for students who have taken part in the jazz workshops to showcase the pieces that they have been working on during the afternoon. Folk Group Leader: Nick Reynolds Folk group takes place on Wednesday mornings. Students assemble in MB3 and then are split into groups where they can work on pieces which they are expected to provide. Any style of folk music is encouraged and any ability level is welcome. The groups have an opportunity to develop a wide range of pieces and then perform their set during Folk Night which is usually put on towards the end of the semester. Folk groups have also played at local pubs and concerts over the years. Places are limited and based on an interview process at the beginning of the semester. Those who are already in the folk group have automatic places. Guitar Workshop and Bass Workshop for first years Leaders: Dave Smith, Jon Perry and Gary Simons All first study BMus guitarists and bass guitarists (except first study classical guitarists) will participate in a weekly group guitar / bass workshop. This group work will look at set pieces, commercial skills (sight reading / aural training) and technical skills (chords, modes and scales). The skills learned within the weekly workshops will be part of the final summative assessment at the end of semester two. The guitar workshops will take place in MB2 every Wednesday (starting w/c 30th Sept) from The Bass guitar workshop will be run by tutor Gary Simons and will take place in MB4 every Wednesday (starting w/c 30th Sept) from

9 Instrumental Piano Group Ensemble Leader: Terence Allbright This is a guided but non-teaching environment in which pianists at all levels and stages of development can practice their performances with a friendly and informed audience of other pianists. Invaluable if you want regular performing experience, or if you have performance insecurities. Weekly attendance is expected; all members can play every week, and there is a group concert towards the end of each semester. Saxophone Group Ensemble Leader: Spencer Bundy The Chichester Saxophone Ensemble is a group which is based at the University but open to Saxophone players of the local community, there are no age limits and no auditions. Often during rehearsals there will be a workshop type element where they will look at an element of playing and discuss ways of improving. Some of the repertoire goes up to 16 players so valuable experience can be gained in the performance of Chamber music in a relaxed and informal manner. They will also sometimes split into smaller groups and give people a chance to explore the ever increasing repertoire for Saxophone quartet. The Saxophone Group welcome any wind players who might be looking for a way to gain experience performing on their second instrument. They try to perform at least one concert per semester and in the past have raised funds for various charities. Clarinet Choir Ensemble Leader: Spencer Bundy The Chichester Clarinet Choir is another wind group based at the University which is open to the local community. They use everything from the small Eb clarinet up to a Contra Base in Bb. They try to share parts around so that everybody gets a chance to perform a solo and lead in a chamber size group. During rehearsals they will often workshop ideas like improvisation and other areas which the other ensembles, due to their size, might not give you the opportunity to try. It also gives members a chance to experiment with arranging for Clarinet Choir. The Clarinet Choir is also ideal for saxophone or other wind players to get a chance to perform on their second instrument. It would be expected for the Clarinet Choir to take part in at least one concert per semester, usually combined with another of the Ensembles from the University. 9

10 Instrumental continued Harpsichord Tuning Course Led by David Pollock A historically informed, practical course which starts from Pythagorean tuning, to introduce the problems to be solved, and moves through meantone temperaments of the Renaissance and early-baroque era to the sophisticated circulating systems of the late-baroque. Reference will be made to important source texts, such as Roger North (1726), as well as to modern research into the temperament used by JS Bach, and David will elucidate the issues with relevant keyboard music as the course proceeds. The aim is to equip each participant with the techniques that he or she requires to tune accurately and consistently. For further information please d.pollock@chi.ac.uk. Jonathan Plowright Pianists drop in sessions Our Head of Keyboard, Jonathan Plowright, is particularly keen to get to know all first study pianists during the year, as well as all other music students who have a keen interest in piano performance - in whatever shape or form. Drop in sessions are usually in the Octagon from 2pm - 4pm on a Monday afternoon. The sessions will be on a very informal basis - not an interview/audition - just a chat about who you are, your particular interests and what you would like to achieve during your studies here at Chichester. Feel free to bring along any music you would like to play - whatever state it is in! Brass Group Ensemble Leader: Fraser Tannock Brass Group is a flexible group, ranging from 3 to 12 or more players and covering mostly original repertoire from renaissance to contemporary, and styles from orchestral to jazz. In recent years they have given full 12-part symphonic brass ensemble concerts and performed Purcell s Funeral Music with the Chamber Choir, as well as providing music and descants for the annual carol service in Chichester Cathedral. Rehearsal sessions offer brass players an opportunity to fast-track and fine-tune the individual and ensemble skills needed in all styles of playing. Entry is open to all brass players 10

11 Other groups Music Therapy Group Facilitator: Rod Paton This group is for anyone who wishes to experience at first hand the therapeutic effects of music. Music Therapy is a growing profession and requires many years of study and experience in order to qualify. This weekly session provides a practical introduction to how music therapy works, what happens in a group session and how it is facilitated. Each session runs for 50 minutes and includes lots of group improvising (the core activity of all music therapy), using a wide range of percussion instruments as well as students own instruments. There is also space for reflection and some discussion of the principles and practice of professional music therapy. The whole process is entirely non-judgmental and the outcomes are often uplifting as well as relaxing. The group runs through the whole year and students are strongly encouraged to commit to full attendance in order to reap the maximum benefit. Free Improvisation Directed by Rod Paton Free Improvisation, or, as it is sometimes called, Instant Composing is for any student who wants to experience the creative freedom and excitement of group improvisation with no stylistic limits, no notation and no judgement. The group follows the principles of the Lifemusic method which states that: Everyone is musical there are no wrong notes in music every sound has a meaning group music making is an act of mutual trust. Any voices and instruments are welcome since there are no fixed or pre-determined combinations and instant access percussion instruments are also available to participants. The group takes a leading role in the annual November concert working alongside professional guest musicians and has recently also begun to work alongside dance students. Creative music making in its purest form! 11

12 Contact Details / / music@chi.ac.uk Please recycle after use