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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.
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 069-01: University Concert Choir
Monday, 4:30-7:15pm, Thursday, 7:00-8:15 (ARR)
Music 069-N: University Concert Choir(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 070-01: Chamber Singers
Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00-1:15 PM (F+)
Music 070-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 072-01: Gospel Choir
Friday 3:30-5:30pm (ARR)
Music 072-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 074-01: Opera Ensemble
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-6:30 pm (ARR)
Music 074-N: Opera Ensemble (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 077-01: Tufts Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-6:30 pm (ARR)
Music 077-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 078-01: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble
Monday, 6:45-9:45 pm (ARR)
Music 078-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 078-02: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble
Wednesday, 6:45-9:45pm (ARR)
Music 078-N2: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble (No credit)
See Music 078-01 Aruda.
Music 078-03: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble
Wednesday, 6:45-9:45pm (ARR)
Music 078-N3: Jazz Improvisation Ensemble (No credit)
See Music 078-N1.
Music 080-01: University Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30 pm - 6:45(ARR)
Music 080-N: University Symphony 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 083-01: University Wind Ensemble
Monday & Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 pm (ARR)
Music 083-N: University Wind Ensemble (No credit)
Performs classic band and wind ensemble literature as well as contemporary works. One-half course credit. McCann.
Music 084-01: Pep Band
Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00-8:00 pm (ARR)
Music 084-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 086-01: New Music Ensemble
Thursday, 4:00-6:00 pm (ARR)
Music 086-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 087-01: Early Music Ensemble
Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm (ARR)
Music 087-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 088-01: Flute Ensemble
Monday, 7:15-8:45pm (ARR)
Music 088-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 089-01: Chamber Music
Arranged
Music 089-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 091-01: 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 093-01: Javanese Gamelan Ensemble
Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30-8:00 pm (ARR)
Music 093-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 092-01: Arabic Ensemble
Monday, 6:00-8:30 pm (ARR)
Music 091-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.
Music 095-01: Klezmer Ensemble
Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm (ARR)
Music 095-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.
TUFTS MUSIC PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND PERFORMANCE
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