The following performing organizations are vital extensions of the Wellesley Music Department's academic program. Most hold auditions during Orientation Week and/or the first week of classes. Sign up sheets will be posted in the Music Department at the beginning of Orientation Week. Students should make a point to sign up at that time.

Wellesley College Choir
The College Choir, conducted by Lisa Graham, is devoted to the performance of choral music from the Renaissance through the present day. Endowed funds provide for joint concerts with men’s choral groups and orchestras. Consisting of approximately 50 singers, the choir presents concerts both on and off campus, and tours nationally (and in some years, internationally) during the academic year. [Listen to an audio clip]

Auditions: Auditions are held during orientation week. Students will be asked to sing "America" in a variety of keys and do some vocal exercises, a sight-reading excerpt, and some ear-training exercises. There is one audition for both the College Choir and the Chamber Singers.

Wellesley College Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers, founded in the fall of 1988, is an ensemble of 12 to 16 women selected from the College Choir's finest singers. The group specializes in music for women's voices with and without instruments, and presents concerts in conjunction with other College music organizations during the academic year. [Listen to an audio clip]

Auditions: See Wellesley College Choir.

Collegium Musicum
The Wellesley College Collegium Musicum is an ensemble of singers and instrumentalists open to Wellesley College students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community. The Collegium specializes in the performance of Western music from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century. The Collegium is often joined by faculty and outside guest artists who enrich the ensemble for special projects. Members of the Collegium enjoy the use of an unusually fine collection of historical instruments. Separate consort instruction is available in viola da gamba, renaissance winds, and recorder for both beginning and advanced players on a fee basis.

Audtions: Contact Tom Zajac for information concerning auditions.

[Listen to an audio clip]

Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra
The Brandeis Wellesley Orchestra is comprised of students, faculty, staff, and associates of Wellesley College and Brandeis University. Following successful collaborations in recent years, the orchestras at each institution formally united in the fall of 2002 under the direction of Neal Hampton. By sharing talents and resources, the orchestra provides unique creative opportunities for the communities at both institutions, and specifically for students within the context of a liberal arts education. Uniting the high standards of excellence associated with Wellesley and Brandeis, the orchestra is dedicated to bringing inspiring performances of the great orchestral literature, both past and present, to a new generation of musicians and audiences. The orchestra gives four to five concerts a year, performing a wide range of music. Programs have included symphonies and other works by Brahms, Copland, Dvorák, Mozart, Haydn, Elgar, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. Contact Neal Hampton for more information. [Listen to an audio clip]

Auditions: Prepare a brief selection of a piece that demonstrates musical and technical ability. It is recommended to include a selection from a first movement of a classical sonata or concerto, or any medium- to fast-tempo piece that shows an ability to play in a steady tempo. If you arrive without music, prepare a scale of your choice in as many octaves as your technique permits you to play steadily and in tune.

Chamber Music Society
The Chamber Music Society offers an opportunity for small ensembles including strings, winds, guitar, piano, and voice to explore the chamber works of the last three centuries. Ensembles rehearse independently and meet weekly with a faculty coach. Throughout the years, players present formal and informal recitals. Entrance is by audition. [Listen to an audio clip]

Auditions: Be prepared to play two contrasting selections, one fast and one slow, and do some sight-reading.

Wellesley BlueJazz
Wellesley BlueJazz is a faculty-directed jazz ensemble of about a dozen students. Rehearsals encourage the development of fluency in jazz improvisation. The ensemble performs several times each year, and presents joint concerts with ensembles from Wellesley and other area colleges. Workshops on jazz improvisation with visiting guest artists are also offered. [Listen to an audio clip]

Auditions: Auditions are held at the beginning of each year. No previous jazz experience necessary. Contact Cercie Miller for more information.

 

 

Jazz and World Music Small Groups
This is a program for students who wish to form small groups for the study and performance of Jazz or World Music. Approved groups will rehearse independently and meet weekly with a faculty coach. Performance opportunities could include Works in Progress concerts and collaborations with the larger Jazz and World Music ensembles. Entrance by audition.

Yanvalou Drumming and Dance Ensemble
Yanvalou, a faculty-directed ensemble that performs the traditional musics of Africa and the Caribbean, provides students an opportunity to perform on authentic instruments, and to experience a variety of cultures through their musics. In collaboration with the Harambee dancers, Yanvalou presents several concerts during the academic year. [Listen to an audio clip]

 

Photos by Michael Lutch