Fall 2012 Ensemble Auditions
Choirs.
For more information about Webster choral ensembles, contact Dr. Trent Patterson at trentpatterson77@webster.edu.
Webster University offers three curricular ensembles, providing singing opportunities for all students. Previous ensemble-singing experience is certainly helpful, but is not a prerequisite for participation in the choral program. Each ensemble includes music majors as well as students from a variety of other majors and areas of study. You do NOT need to be a music major to sing in a choir!
Voice placements (auditions) for Fall 2012 choral ensembles continue on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19. A sign-up sheet is posted outside of Dr. Patterson's studio (Thompson House 210). Voice placements include an assessment of each student's tone quality, ability to match pitch, range, aural awareness of melodic and harmonic patterns, ability to sight-sing, and finish with a brief interview. Students are not asked to sing a prepared solo. Voice placements last about five minutes.
Chorus Attire (Concert Choir and Chamber Singers): All women who enroll in MUSC 4900 or MUSC 4910 will purchase the required chorus dress. New dresses will be ordered through the university in late August; the student cost will be $63.00. All men who enroll in MUSC 4900 or 4910 will provide their own tuxedo, black bow tie and cummerbund.
Webster University Chamber Singers, an auditioned ensemble of 20 singers, performs advanced choral literature from all historical periods, many world cultures, and styles. Throughout each season, this choir joins the Concert Choir to present major choral/orchestral works. Rehearsals are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00-4:20 and Fridays from 3:00-3:50 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Dr. Trent Patterson conducts Chamber Singers. Members of this ensemble were selected in May 2012.
Concert Choir (MUSC 4900/01) performs choral repertoire of many styles and traditions and is open to all university students. Throughout each season, this choir joins the Chamber Singers to present major choral/orchestral works. Rehearsals are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00-12:50 at the Community Music School (535 Garden Avenue) in Room 10. Conductor is Dr. Trent Patterson. While the soprano section is full, openings still exist for other voice parts. Students who sang for Dr. Patterson in May 2012 do not need to sing again.
Women's Chorus (MUSC 4900/02), a new ensemble, auditions on August 18 and 19. The group meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00-12:50 p.m. at the Community Music School (535 Garden Ave) Room 11.
Instrumental Ensembles.
The Webster University Chamber Orchestra is open to all university students, regardless of major, who have experience in playing violin, viola, cello or string bass. This ensemble performs two concerts each semester, presenting significant music of the orchestral repertoire. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 12:00-1:20 PM and Thursdays from 5:15-6:45 PM. Dress rehearsals occur the Saturday immediately prior to performance. All rehearsal information is posted at the Instrumental Auditions page. The course number is MUSC 4940. Conductor is Dr. Paul Davis.
The Webster University Wind Ensemble is open to all university students, regardless of major, who have experience in playing woodwind, brass or percussion instruments. This ensemble performs two concerts each semester, presenting significant music of the wind band repertoire. Rehearsals are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:00-12:50 PM. The course number is MUSC 4980. Conductor is James A. Martin.
Placement auditions are held for all instrumentalists at the beginning of each Fall. There are audition materials available specifically for the non-Music major who wants to be part of the Webster University Instrumental Ensembles.
Woodwind, Brass and Percussion placement auditions are held on Monday, August 20 at 6 p.m.
String placement auditions are held Tuesday, August 21.
For complete information on auditioning and to download the audition materials, go to the Instrumental Auditions page. For more information, contact Dr. Paul Davis at pauldavis34@webster.edu.
Jazz Ensembles.
Auditions for jazz combos (MUSC 4960) and Webster Jazz Collective (MUSC 4970) will be Monday August 20. Combo auditionees should play a blues and a standard of their choosing. All students will be asked to do some sight reading as well. Drummers will be asked to demonstrate their skill at a variety of different rhythmic feels (medium and up tempo swing, a jazz waltz, bossa nova, samba, etc.) Jazz Collective auditionees will sight-read a piece selected by the director. Singers will be asked to sing several standards of their choosing in a jazz style.
Monday August 20, 3 p.m.
Community Music School, 535 Garden Ave, Room 10
More information: Prof. Paul DeMarinis, demaripa@webster.edu
Webster Jazz Singers, a 12 to 16 voice ensemble, will hold auditions Monday, August 20 in the recital hall. Prepare a jazz standard (ballad, Latin, medium or up-tempo swing, etc.). Bring a lead sheet in your key. An accompanist will be provided. Students will also sight-sing as part of the audition, and will prepare a portion of a chart. Call-backs will take place on Wednesday, August 22.
Monday, August 20, 12 noon
Thompson Music Building Recital Hall
More information: Prof. Debby Lennon, debbylennon@yahoo.com
Opera.
Webster Opera Studio (MUSC 4990) is an auditioned ensemble that performs operatic literature from the 16th century through the present. Performances are in January and April, with the January performance being fully staged and costumed, with orchestra. You do not have to be a voice major to participate in Opera Studio. All students in any degree program are invited to audition on Tuesday, August 21, in the Community Music School concert hall from 2-6 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be posted on August 17. Be prepared to sing one or two arias, or songs in any style. An accompanist will be provided. Rehearsals are held primarily on Tuesdays from 3-6, with different casts meeting each hour. If you have any questions or have a class conflict on Tuesdays, contact Alice Nelson at 314-965-4074, or anelson46@sbcglobal.net.
470 East Lockwood Avenue