Music @ St. Lawrence University

The music department offers the following ensembles each semester. Membership in each ensemble is by audition. Students may elect to receive 0.25 unit of credit for ensemble participation. Spring 2008 audition information can be found at the end of each ensemble’s description.
Laurentian Singers - MUS021
A select choir of 32 to 40 undergraduate singers, the Laurentians continue a rich 60-year legacy of choral excellence, performing regularly throughout the year on campus, in the North Country, and nationally and internationally on tour during spring break. This year they return to Puerto Rico. Their far-ranging repertoire is drawn from the entire span of Euro-American classical traditions as well as world and popular idioms. Music from Latin America and Canada will be featured this year, and much more.
Rehearsals: Full - Monday and Thursday, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Women - Tuesday 4:30-5:30 p.m. Men – Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. in Griffiths 15
Audition times: For one alto position - Mon. January 21, 7-9 p.m., Griffiths 24
Audition procedure: vocalization, sing prepared solo(encouraged but not required), sight-sing with quartet.
Contact: Barry Torres

University Chorus - MUS022
Canton’s community chorus of 60 -70 voices, the UC combines the vocal talents of students, faculty and staff, and community members and performs a varied repertoire, often with instrumental accompaniment. Last spring we presented a concert revue of American Operetta - music of Herbert, Romberg, Friml and Kern - featuring several UC members as soloists and accompanied by strings and piano. This spring an all Haydn program is scheduled featuring the Lord Nelson Mass with orchestral accompaniment. Concert dates are Saturday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m. in Gunnison Chapel and Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. off campus at St. Mary’s Church, Canton
Rehearsals: Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Griffiths 15
Audition times: Mon., Jan. 21, 7-9 p.m., Griffiths 24, or by appointment until Tues., Jan. 29
Audition procedure: vocalization, sing prepared solo(encouraged but not required), sight-reading check(to assess ability, not a requirement).
Contact: Barry Torres

Early Music Singers - MUS023
A select ensemble of 12 – 16 singers that specializes in the great vocal music of the medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods, EMS membership also includes faculty, staff, students and community members. Rehearsals are completely a cappella (sight reading is a must) and appropriate vocal practices including just intonation are explored in the beautifully authentic-style acoustics of Gunnison Chapel. The EMS will present a program of the music of J.S. Bach, featuring the motet Jesu meine freude, on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. in Gunnison Chapel.
Rehearsals: Thursday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Gunnison Chapel
Audition times: For one soprano position - Mon., Jan. 21, 7-9 p.m., Griffiths 24, or by appointment until Thurs., Jan. 24
Audition procedure: vocalization, sing prepared solo(encouraged but not required), sight-sing with quartet.
Contact: Barry Torres

String Orchestra - MUS025
A 30 member string chamber orchestra made up of violins, violas, cellos and basses which includes university students and staff, but is also open to local community musicians and students as well. An informal audition is required for membership, and violinists are rotated by the semester in three sections. The goals of the String Orchestra are to perform a diverse assortment of musical styles including classical, baroque, traditional, contemporary and popular music, the various techniques required to play them, and to involve itself in the community by performing off campus as well as on campus. Generally, the Fall semester is devoted to more standard repertoire, while the Spring semester focuses on lighter, more popular works. Previous programs have included string music from the Baroque period, Contemporary Music from The 20th Century, Music from the Movies, and Mostly Mozart. The orchestra also has the pleasure of having the Alexander String Quartet join them for a rehearsal each Fall semester. This spring they pay tribute to the music of John Williams in two concerts: Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. in Gunnison Chapel and Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m. at the Russell Opera House, Russell.
Rehearsals: Thursday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in The Underground (Noble Center 001) - first rehearsal is February 7
Audition times: Tues., Jan. 29, 7:30-9:00 p.m., and Wed., Jan. 30, 6:00-8:00 p.m., in GR16
Audition procedure: play 3 scales, one or two contrasting solos, sight reading
Contact: Christian Hosmer

Concert Band - MUS026
Formerly called the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band is open to woodwind and brass players and percussionists. Membership in the ensemble is open to intermediate to advanced students as well as qualified area musicians. Concert Band will explore the varied band repertoire from the 18th through the 21st Centuries. New director Glenn Roberts extends a warm welcome to all band enthusiasts to join this new ensemble. This semester’s concert on Sunday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. in The Underground is entitled Wondrous Stories: 20th and 21st Century programmatic music.
Rehearsals: Monday and Wednesday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in The Underground (Noble Center 001)
No audition required. Just come to the first rehearsal/organizational meeting with your instrument on Wednesday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Underground (Noble Center 001).
Contact: Glenn Roberts

The Improv Lab - MUS047a
A newly created experience to provide opportunities for students to individually and collectively develop their interests and skills in a variety of American vernacular musics - jazz, blues, rock, folk, hip-hop, alternative, country, bluegrass, etc. The music we pursue will be open to negotiation and largely student driven. “Ear” playing combined with varying degrees of written notation will be used to best suit the situation. All players and singers welcome. Let’s jam!
Rehearsals: Monday and Wednesday, 4:30-6:00 p.m. in The Underground (Noble Center 001)
Audition time: Wed., Jan. 23, 4:30-6:00 p.m. in The Undergroud (Noble Center 001)
Audition procedure: play scales. read a lead sheet. play a solo, either prepared or improvised.
Contact: Tim Savage