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Tufts Performance Ensembles and Groups
The Tufts Department of Music has over sixteen performing ensembles that any Tufts University student, regardless of school, major or discipline, can audition for and take part in. This includes four vocal/choral groups (the Chamber Singers, Chorale, Opera Ensemble, Gospel Choir), three jazz bands (Big Band and two small jazz ensembles), two new music groups (NME and Tufts Composers), four world music ensembles (Kiniwe, the West African Music and Dance Ensemble, Javanese Gamelan Ensemble, Klezmer Ensemble, Arabic Music Ensemble), several orchestral, early music, and six chamber ensembles (Tufts Symphony Orchestra, Flute Ensemble, Early Music Ensemble Chamber Music Program), and two bands (Wind Ensemble and Pep Band). Most of these ensembles require some form of audition in order to become a member of the group. Auditions are generally held during the first week of classes at the start of each semester. All ensembles can be taken for credit if so desired.
 Touring with Tufts Ensembles
One of the newest ventures of the music department is to help send its performing ensembles on tour, both domestically and internationally. Cultural exchange has always been an important part of sharing the wonders of music, and playing or singing in a musical organization that tours is tremendously educational, enlightening as well as a whole lot of fun.
Recently, several Tufts ensembles have been on tour all over the world. The Tufts Wind Ensemble tours every January (during winter break) to a destination decided upon by its student membership. Most recently, they have toured to the Czech Republic, Iceland and Italy The Wind Ensemble went to Spain in January 2006. Also touring during winter break is the Tufts Symphony Orchestra. Over the past several years, the Orchesta has toured Brazil, Portugal, Jamaica, Greece, Iceland, France and Germany. In January 2006 they completed a tour to Costa Rica. The Tufts Chamber Singers have toured to northern and central Italy, Sicily, Spain, and last year toured southern Italy with the Tufts Chorale (2005). The Tufts Big Band tooked their first international tour in March of 2003 to Cuba. The Tufts Third Day Gospel Choir toured domestically to Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. last year, and toured California in April 2004.
Ensemble Descriptions
Below are listings of the performing ensembles and their course information. While this information is updated each semester, for the most part, the requirements remain the same from year to year. Please not that this page is constantly being updated and that only a small few of our ensembles have their own web sites. If you have questions, visit the faculty page and email the appropriate facutly member with questions about his or her ensemble and its requirements. As we get more recent pictures, we will continue to shape and develop this page on the site.
PERFORMANCE COURSES
(May be repeated for credit. All Music Ensembles are open by audition to the entire Tufts community.)
Music 62-01: Chamber Singers
Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00-1:15 PM (F+)
Music 62-N:Chamber Singers (No credit)
A select ensemble of approximately 16 voices specializing in the performance of a cappella repertoire from the Renaissance to the present, as well as other works suitable for chamber choir. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. One-half course credit. Clark.
Music 63-01: Chamber Music
Arranged
Music 63-N: Chamber Music (No credit)
Arranged
Study and coaching of selected works for small chamber ensembles. Audition is required. One-half course credit. E. Auner.
Music 64-01: Gospel Choir
Friday 3:30-5:30pm (ARR)
Music 64-N: Gospel Choir (No credit)
The Gospel Choir is a student ensemble that performs works by traditional and contemporary gospel composers. Audition is required. One-half course credit. Coleman.
Music 65-01: African Music Ensemble (Kiniwe)
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-5:45 pm (L+)
Traditional percussion ensemble music and vocal music from West Africa. Performs on- and off-campus with Kiniwe Dancers (West African Dance class). Requires a two-semester commitment so that the ensemble can become good on this unfamiliar music. Fall semester emphasizes highly polyrhythmic music of the Ewe people. Prior musical experience is helpful but anyone with a good sense of rhythm and physical coordination may try out. Class membership is determined by auditions held during the first two days of class. One-half course credit; letter grade. Locke.
Music 67-01: Early Music Ensemble
Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm (ARR)
Music 67-N: Early Music Ensemble (No credit)
Music of the fifteenth, sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries for a mixed ensemble of Renaissance instruments and voices with a concentration on a national style or theme by semester. Group instrumental instruction on viola da gamba, recorder, lute, harp, krummhorn, Renaissance flute and harpsichord with instruments available. Performance at end of semester. One-half course credit. Hershey.
Music 68-01: New Music Ensemble
Thursday, 4:00-6:00 pm (ARR)
Music 68-N: New Music Ensemble (No credit)
The avant-garde think tank of ensembles! Repertory features recently written compositions by both professional and student composers; free improvisation; experimental performances on and off campus. One-half course credit. McDonald and Berman.
Music 69-01: Tufts Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-6:30 pm (ARR)
Music 69-N: Tufts Jazz Orchestra (No credit)
Jazz improvisation, instrumental and ensemble skills are developed through instrumental performance of classic jazz compositions and recent works. The elements of jazz, including swing rhythms, blues and other traditional song forms, and jazz melody and harmony, are introduced. One-half course credit. Smith.
Music 70-01: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble
Monday, 6:45-9:45 pm (ARR) Monday, 6:45-9:45 pm (ARR)
Music 70-N: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble (No credit)
Jazz improvisation, instrumental and ensemble skills are developed through instrumental performance of classic jazz compositions and recent works. The elements of jazz, including swing rhythms, blues and other traditional song forms, and jazz melody and harmony, are introduced. One-half course credit. Ahlstrand.
Music 70-02: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble
Wednesday, 6:45-9:45pm (ARR)
Music 70-N2: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble (No credit)
See Music 70-01 Aruda.
Music 71-01: Flute Ensemble
Monday, 7:15-8:45pm (ARR)
Music 71-N: Flute Ensemble (No credit)
Composed of members of the flute family (piccolos, C-flutes, alto flute, bass flute). Performs music from several centuries and a wide variety of styles (Renaissance, Bach, Debussy, Joplin, avant-garde). One-half course credit. Barwell.
Music 72-01: Javanese Gamelan Ensemble
Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30-8:00 pm (ARR)
Music 72-N: Javanese Gamelan Ensemble (No credit)
Traditional repertory of Javanese court music played on an orchestra of gongs, chimes, and xylophones. Use of authentic instruments; no prior music performance experience required. One-half course credit. Drummond.
Music 73-01: Chamber Orchestra
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-6:30 pm (ARR)
Music 73-N: Chamber Orchestra (No credit)
Course description not yet available. Rose.
Music 74-01: Opera Ensemble
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-6:30 pm (ARR)
Music 74-N: Opera Scenes (No credit)
Music for beginning opera singers with emphasis on development of musical skills, staging techniques, acting/singing skills and role interpretation. Performance of an opera scenes program, including solo arias at end of semester. Co-requisite: concurrent private vocal study for credit (MUS 61-01). One-half course credit.Mastrodomenico and Morris.
Music 75-01: Klezmer Ensemble
Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm (ARR)
Music 75-N: Klezmer Ensemble (No credit)
Klezmer music is the celebratory dance music of the Eastern European Ashkenaz Jews. Brought here by immigrants in the turn of the century, it became a great influence on American music. Together we explore the unique musical language of Klezmer, exploring repertoire of the old and new style, as well as the dance music of Israel, the Sephardic traditions, and Yiddish theater. McLaughlin.
Music 80-01: University Wind Ensemble
Monday & Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 pm (ARR)
Music 80-N: University Wind Ensemble (No credit)
Performs classic band and wind ensemble literature as well as contemporary works. One-half course credit. McCann.
Music 81-01: Pep Band
Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00-8:00 pm (ARR)
Music 81-N: Pep Band (No credit)
The Pep Band is open to all who wish to perform at football games and rallies. Fall only. One-half course credit. Schwehm.
Music 82-01: University Orchestra
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30 pm - 6:45(ARR)
Music 82-N: University Orchestra (No credit)
Music ranging from the Baroque to the contemporary period. Major works for chorus and orchestra regularly undertaken with the University Chorale. One-half course credit. Rose.
Music 83-01: University Chorale
Monday, 4:30-7:15pm, Thursday, 7:00-8:15 (ARR)
Music 83-N: University Chorale (No credit)
Auditioned ensemble of approximately 60 voices specializing in the performance of major works for chorus and orchestra, as well as other repertoire suitable for large choir. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. One-half course credit. Clark.
Music 91-01: Arabic Ensemble
Monday, 6:00-8:30 pm (ARR)
Music 91-N: Arabic Ensemble(No credit)
Both classical and folk musics will be covered. The maqam micro-tonal scale system will be applied to both Western and Arabic instruments. Improvisation, form, style, rhythmic cycles, as well as Arabic vocal diction will be taught. Some Arabic ouds (lutes) will be available if there is interest. One half-course credit. Roustom.
TUFTS MUSIC PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND PERFORMANCE
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