The following performing organizations are vital extensions of the Wellesley Music Department's academic program.

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. Auditions are held during orientation week. [Listen to an audio clip]

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]

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.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. In the spring of 2001, the orchestra performed Mahler’s second symphony in collaboration with the orchestra of Tufts University and the combined choirs of Brandeis, Tufts, and MIT. The 2004 season featured a performance of Beethoven’s ninth symphony. Contact Neal Hampton for more information. [Listen to an audio clip] /p>

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]

Prism Jazz
Prism Jazz is a faculty-directed jazz ensemble of about a dozen students. Rehearsals encourage the development of fluency in jazz improvisation; previous jazz experience is not required. 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. Auditions are held at the beginning of each year. [Listen to an audio clip]

Body and Soul Body and Soul is a faculty-directed vocal jazz ensemble of six to eight singers, which performs several times each academic year. The ensemble focuses on developing improvisational skills through individual and group repertoire. Previous jazz experience is not required. Auditions are held at the beginning of each year. [Listen to an audio clip]

 

Fiddleheads
This group studies and performs the fiddle tunes and styles of Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton, Québec, and New England. The class is taught entirely by ear, and all instruments are welcome. Nor prior experience playing in a traditional style is necessary. [Listen to an audio clip]

Synergy Jazz String Ensemble
Synergy is a faculty-directed jazz ensemble for string players (violin, viola, cello, bass) which focuses on developing jazz improvisation skills, including specific techniques for bowed strings. Students will learn by ear as well as with written music and recordings. Repertoire includes jazz string ensemble arrangements by the Turtle Island String Quartet and compositions for strings with rhythm section, in styles from rock to Latin jazz. Synergy performs several times a year, often in joint concerts with other Wellesley ensembles, and hosts improvisation workshops with visiting jazz string artists. Auditions are held at the beginning of each year. Jazz experience is welcome but not necessary. Contact Paula Zeitlin for more information. [Listen to an audio clip]

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