Dear Members of the Class of 2012:
Welcome to Vassar College! We, the directors of the Vassar College ensembles, are always excited to meet new Vassar students and hear them audition to join our groups. The level of talent and enthusiasm we see and hear seems better every year, making our tasks a delight. We look forward to meeting you soon.
The Music Department sponsors six ensembles, all of which perform in Skinner Hall of Music: three choirs, a symphony orchestra, a jazz ensemble, and a wind ensemble. In addition, the department offers chamber ensembles, lessons in instruments and voice, and an opera workshop in the spring.
The Vassar College Choir
The Vassar College Choir is a mixed group of fifty to sixty singers that performs at least four concerts a year of choral-orchestral, a cappella, and piano-accompanied works. Among the highlights of 2006-2007 was a tour of Germany during Spring Break. During Spring 2009, the Choir will travel to Mexico on a weeklong concert tour. Choir rehearses on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and is open to students in any major or class by audition.
Vassar College Women’s Chorus
The Vassar College Women’s Chorus is an ensemble of about forty singers that performs at least four concerts a year of choral-orchestral, a cappella, and piano-accompanied works. Among the highlights of 2007/08 was a tour to Spain during the Spring Break. Rehearsals are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The Chorus is open to women in any major or class by audition.
The Vassar College Madrigal Singers
The Vassar College Madrigal Singers is an ensemble of ten to twenty singers auditioned from members of the Women’s Chorus and College Choir. This group specializes in a cappella music, from the middle ages through the twentieth century. They perform two or three times a year, often undertaking special projects, such as Handel’s Messiah (2004) with original instruments and Bach’s St. John Passion (2007). Regular rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30–5:00 p.m. Additional rehearsals by agreement.
The Vassar College Orchestra
The Vassar College Orchestra is a full symphony orchestra that gives two concerts each semester, performing great works from the symphonic literature. Recent concerts have included pieces by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Villa-Lobos, S. Barber, among others, and featured student soloists. The Orchestra rehearses on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and is open by audition to all students.
The Vassar College Jazz Ensemble
The Vassar College Jazz Ensemble performs music ranging from traditional big band to contemporary jazz, including arrangements by Vassar students and faculty. The ensemble performs at concerts and dances on and around campus and occasionally travels to jazz festivals and professional jazz concerts. The Jazz Ensemble rehearses on Monday evenings and is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists by audition.
The Vassar College & Community Wind Ensemble
The Vassar College & Community Wind Ensemble is a forty-five to sixty member band that performs challenging literature from the traditional and contemporary band/wind ensemble repertoire. The ensemble is open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion players with no auditions required. The Wind Ensemble rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:00–9:00 p.m.