African Music & Dance Ensemble
A practical, hands-on course focusing on several music/dance forms from West Africa (Ghana, Togo) and Central
Africa (BaAka pygmies), with the intention of performing at the end of the semester. Though no previous experience
with music or dance is required, we will give special attention to developing tight ensemble dynamics, aural
musicianship, and a polymetric sensibility. Concentration, practice, and faithful attendance are required of each
class member, the goal being to develop an ongoing U.Va. African Music and Dance Ensemble.
Cavalier Marching Band
The Cavalier Marching Band (CMB) is a 225-member ensemble open to all University of Virginia students.
The band is an integral part of every home football game and various sporting events around Grounds.
It is known for its high energy and crowd-appealing performances and is remarkably comprised almost
entirely of non-music majors. Student leadership is strongly emphasized, with a group of nearly 80 student
leaders in varying positions including drum majors, section leaders, drill instructors, and other logistical
support staff. The CMB performs a new halftime show for every home football game which gives students and
fans an opportunity to experience many different musical styles each season. The band is comprised of brass,
woodwinds, marching percussion, color guard, and a feature twirler. The members of the marching band are
provided with all instruments and equipment used throughout their tenure in the band. There are no fees to
participate in the marching band, just a passion for making music and UVa. For more
information on the Cavalier Marching Band, please visit the marching band's website:
www.virginia.edu/marchingband or contact the Cavalier
Band Office at (434)-982-5347.
Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers is a select subset of the University Singers, and is offered for an additional hour of credit. The ensemble
meets once a week and focuses on music ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary pieces. Recent repertoire has included
Palestrina's Missa Brevis, Bach's Cantata 150, Carissimi's Jephte, and music by Meredith Monk and Harold Arlen.
Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra
The Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Kate Tamarkin,
performs twelve outstanding concerts each year. The 2007-08 Season will include five subscription series concerts featuring works
of Berlioz, Brahms, Stravinsky and more. Solo performances by orchestra principals as well as collaborations with pianist Andrew
Armstrong, cellist Uri Vardi, and the University Singers will be true highlights of the season. The orchestra will also present
its popular Family Holiday Concerts in collaboration with the University Singers. Symphony performances regularly attract a full
house of music lovers who come from all over Central Virginia to hear these concerts.
The orchestra's membership is a blend of professional music faculty, student and community musicians. Each section of the orchestra
works under a faculty principal who is both section leader and coach. Membership is open by audition to interested players from all
schools and departments of the University. For further information please contact the orchestra office at 434-924-6505, or at
orchestra@virginia.edu.
Early Music Ensemble
The Early Music Ensemble, conducted by Paul Walker, offers the rare opportunity to learn to play a Renaissance
or Baroque instrument and to perform such works as the Concerto for Four Harpsichords and Orchestra by J.S. Bach.
The Early Music Ensemble's extensive collection includes early strings (gambas and Baroque strings) woodwinds
(recorders, crumhorns, sackbuts and cornettos) and keyboard (harpsichord and chamber organ). No prior experience
is necessary, although ability to play a modern counterpart is desirable. Players are particularly encouraged to
explore the pre-modern versions of their instruments. If you'd like to sing madrigals, motets, Gregorian Chant,
and other music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras, the Early Music Ensemble is also for you. Learn
the music of Hildegard von Bingen, Josquin des Prez, William Byrd, Monteverdi, Purcell and others. Open to
undergraduates and graduates. One credit hour.
UVa Jazz Ensemble
Led by internationally recognized jazz trumpeter/composer John D'earth, the Jazz Ensemble is a full-sized jazz big
band, whose focus includes "head arrangements", group improvisation, world music and original compositions from
within the band, along with music ranging from swing to bop to fusion. You'll gain valuable experience in ensemble
playing and in the art of solo improvisation, and may take private instruction in jazz improvisation, perform in
small combos and participate in jazz workshops held by such major figures as Michael Brecker, John Abercrombi, Dave
Leibman, Bob Moses, Clark Terry, and Joe Henderson.
UVa Klezmer Ensemble
Klezmer, originally the ritual and celebratory music of the Yiddish-speaking Jews of Eastern Europe, was brought to
North America by immigrants around the turn of the last century. Since the 1970s, a dynamic revival of this tradition
has been taking place in America and beyond. Klezmer's recent popularity has brought it far from its roots in
medieval minstrelsy and Jewish ritual and into the sphere of mainstream culture. The traditional klezmer style presents
the experienced instrumentalist with a range of technical challenges with its characteristic note bends, rubati,
Baroque-style embellishments and other micro-improvisational techniques, opening up a world of expressive possibilities
not available to them from either classical music or jazz. This music was passed on orally from generation to
generation, and many of the ornaments which are so integral to the klezmer sound can only be approximated by Western
staff notation - not to mention the patterns of improvised variation which are the cornerstone of the style. There
will therefore be an emphasis on learning by ear as much as possible.
In this ensemble, we will begin by focusing on the klezmer traditions of New York and Philadelphia between the two world
wars, as well as 19th century Eastern Europe. Depending on the makeup of the group, we may explore various genres of
Yiddish song (folk song, Yiddish theater, vaudeville), as well as Hasidic nigunim (songs of spiritual elevation).
The following instruments are sought: violin, viola, cello, bass, clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba,
percussion, piano, accordion. Please contact Dr. Rubin with any questions:
jer2y@virginia.edu
Opera at UVA
Opera at UVA will not be taught during the 07/08 school year
Opera at UVA offers the opportunity to develop vocal technique and stage manners suitable to the musical/operatic
theater and to participate in fully costumed and staged productions as well as selected scenes from opera and
musical theater repertoire in a number of presentations during the year. Singers participate in selected scenes
from a vast spectrum of repertoire in two concerts a year. Enrollment is open to all by audition. One to two hours
academic credit for undergraduates.
For information on the summer program held in Rome, Operafestival di Roma, please see:
www.operafest.com.
UVA Percussion Ensemble
The UVA Percussion Ensemble is directed by I-Jen Fang, the Principal Timpanist and Percussionist with the Charlottesville
& University Symphony Orchestra.
The ensemble, re-established in spring 2005, is a chamber ensemble that performs literature from classical transcriptions
to contemporary music. The ensemble draws upon a large family of pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments and number
of players and the amount of equipment varies greatly from piece to piece. Music is chosen to match the abilities and
interest of the ensemble members. Music reading skills and basic percussion technique on all percussion instruments is
required. The course is offered during the spring semester, culminating in an annual Night of Percussion Concert.
Membership is open to all university students.
For more information on the percussion ensemble, please visit the website at www.virginia.edu/music/ensembles/percussion or contact
I-Jen Fang at if4n@virginia.edu.
University Singers
The University Singers, conducted by Michael Slon, is the University's premier SATB ensemble, performing a cappella and accompanied choral
literature ranging from Medieval chant to the works of contemporary composers. Past repertoire has included
Handel's Messiah, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, the Brahms Requiem, and Mozart's Coronation Mass and
Vespers(K. 339). Recent trips have taken the group to New York City, Philadelphia, New Haven, and the National
Cathedral in Washington D.C., as well as the campuses of other American universities for collaborative concerts.
The group has also been heard on European tours in England, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland. Recent
highlights have included performances with the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, a concert and
workshop with Bobby McFerrin, and a concert tour of the Northeast.
Students in the University Singers come from all six of UVA's undergraduate schools, including Arts and Sciences,
Education, and Engineering, as well as several of the University's graduate and professional schools. Together,
they enjoy an esprit de corps that arises from the pursuit of musical excellence and the camaraderie the singers
develop offstage.
Michael Slon, the conductor, has conducted choruses at the Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University School of Music.
He also conducts the Chamber Singers which is a select subset of the University Singers.
All singers at the University - undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and facultyare encouraged to audition (Old
Cabell Hall August 21-27). University Singers is offered for two hours academic credit.
For more information on the University Singers, please visit our webpage at:
http://www.virginia.edu/music/usingers/
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is a 45-member ensemble, which features the most outstanding brass, woodwind, and percussion players
at the University. The focus of this ensemble is to explore new literature as well as perform the masterworks of the wind
band era. The wind ensemble also works with outstanding guest performers and conductors. This group is predominately
made up of non-music majors who enjoy the genre of the wind band. Open to all University of Virginia students, auditions
are held prior to the start of each semester. For more information on the Wind Ensemble, please visit our webpage
at: http://www.virginia.edu/music/ensembles/windensemble/
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