Our performing music faculty-directed Student Ensembles are vital extensions of the Wellesley College Music Department's academic program and are presented as part of the Wellesley College Concert Series.
SPRING 2024 ENSEMBLE CONCERTS:
Guild of Carillonneurs: Cari-Radio Tower
Margaret Angelini, Director
Saturday, February 24, 1:00pm, Galen Stone Tower
The Wellesley College Guild of Carillonneurs carries on the 90-year tradition of bell-ringing in Galen Stone Tower, which began when the carillon was installed in 1931.
Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra: Catch a Rising Star
Neal Hampton, Conductor
Saturday, April 13, 7:30pm, Houghton Chapel
Sunday, April 14, 7:00pm, Brandeis University Slosberg Hall
The Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra is composed of students, faculty, staff, and associates of Wellesley College and Brandeis University, bringing inspiring performances of the great orchestral literature—past and present—to a new generation of musicians and audiences.The spring concert will feature the talented student winners of the annual concerto competition.
Collegium Musicum: The Musical Life of Samuel Pepys
Laura Jeppesen, Director
Tuesday, April 16, 7:30pm, Grand Music Hall ~ PNW 201
The Collegium Musicum is an ensemble of students and faculty, devoted to the performance of early music, drawn from the courts and chapels of Renaissance Europe, on original instruments. This Collegium program pairs some of Samuel Pepys diary entries with music that he played as a dedicated amateur musician who loved to sing, play the lute, viola da gamba, flageolete and 'harpsicon.' All of the musical examples are drawn from his text and reflect his life in restoration England. Featuring a special guest, Provost and Dean of the College Andrew Shennan as the voice of Samuel Pepys.
BlueJazz Big Band: Manteca!
Cercie Miller, Director
Friday, April 19, 7:30pm, Jewett Auditorium
Enjoy an evening of spirited performances by the talented musicians in the Wellesley BlueJazz Big Band. For the spring concert, the band features their spirited brass section in a trio of tunes by trumpet titans Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Wellesley College Choral Program: Baum Memorial Concert
Lisa Graham, Evelyn Barry Director of Choral Music
Saturday, April 20, 7:30pm, Houghton Chapel
The highly acclaimed Wellesley College Choral program promotes the great art of ensemble singing while building community and joy in performance. Program to include works by Villa-Lobos, Whitacre, Gjeilo, Papoulis, Lauridsen, and more.
Chamber Music Society: Marathon Sunday
David Russell and Jenny Tang, Directors
Sunday, April 21, 1:00pm, Jewett Auditorium
Founded in 1958, The Chamber Music Society of Wellesley College provides an opportunity for instrumentalists and vocalists to prepare and perform works for small ensembles. Each chamber group receives weekly coaching from a member of the Wellesley College Music Department and performs at one of several concerts held at the end of each semester.
BlueJazz Strings & Combos: Imaginary Voyages II
Paula Zeitlin, Director
Friday, April 26, 7:30pm, Jewett Auditorium
Join us for a lively evening in the best of small ensemble jazz! Music by Anat Cohen, Charlie Parker, McCoy Tyner, Samara Joy, Burt Bachrach, Sammy Rae and many others will be featured in an Imaginary Voyage through time.
Guild of Carillonneurs: Change Ringing
Margaret Angelini, Director
Saturday, April 27, 1:00pm, Galen Stone Tower
The Wellesley College Guild of Carillonneurs carries on the 90-year tradition of bell-ringing in Galen Stone Tower, which began when the carillon was installed in 1931.
Yanvalou Drum & Dance Ensemble
Kera Washington, Director
Saturday, April 27, 7:30pm, Jewett Auditorium
Yanvalou Drum and Dance Ensemble will perform the folkloric music and dance of Africa, as it exists today throughout Africa and the African Diaspora, particularly in Haiti, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Brazil.
Chamber Music Society Concerts
David Russell and Jenny Tang, Directors
All concerts in Jewett Auditorium
Concert 1: Thursday, April 25, 7:00pm
Concert 2: Sunday, April 28, 2:00pm
Concert 3: Tuesday, April 30, 7:00pm
Concert 4: Wednesday, May 1, 7:00pm
Founded in 1958, The Chamber Music Society of Wellesley College provides an opportunity for instrumentalists and vocalists to prepare and perform works for small ensembles. Each chamber group receives weekly coaching from a member of the Wellesley College Music Department, and performs at one of several concerts held at the end of each semester.
Bells of Brass & Bronze
Tuesday, April 30, 4:00pm, Galen Stone Tower and Academic Quad
Members of the Brass faculty and brass students will join the Carillonneurs in a rousing celebration to mark the end of the semester!
Baccalaureate Concert
Lisa Graham, Evelyn Barry Director of Choral Music
Thursday, May 16, 8:00pm, Houghton Chapel
Join us as the Music Department celebrates the senior class musicians in their final concert performances at Wellesley. All are welcome to attend this festive and memorable occasion.