Conservatory Ensemble Information
Below you will find information for the Conservatory ensembles that require an audition. You are welcome to audition for any ensemble for which you meet the prerequisites. If you play another instrument other than your major or sing you are welcome to audition for ensembles with that instrument.
Required auditions will scheduled for you and sent by email from the Registrar's Office. The audition will be under ten minutes in duration. See the orientation schedule on the current student page for audition dates.
For more information regarding all ensembles click here or read the Collegiate Catalog.
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Conservatory in the Schools (interview required)
Community Service Project/Music to Go! (audition required)
This audition will take place at the time of each instruments' general audition. Additional pieces are not required for the Music to Go! Audition.
Click on the link below to see specific information for your instrument.
Orchestral Instruments
Guitar Majors
Keyboard Instrument Majors
Voice Majors
Conservatory Orchestra
All orchestral instrument majors (apart from Chamber Music majors) must audition for orchestra. More information can be found by going to Conservatory Orchestra website.
This audition will be scheduled for you.
Conservatory Baroque-Instrumental
Corey Jamason and Elisabeth Reed, directors
Audition requirement: Open to all string, wind, keyboard, and guitar students. No extra audition repertoire required other than the orchestral excerpts used for Conservatory Orchestra. This audition will take place at the same time as the Conservatory Orchestra auditions at the beginning of the fall semester. No prior experience in baroque/period instrument performance necessary to audition.
This ensemble offers an opportunity to explore baroque orchestral, chamber, and solo repertoire in an historically informed manner through extensive rehearsal, private coaching, and the study of performance practice. The baroque ensemble is open to all students in the Conservatory. This two-semester courses meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-1:50.
All string players are highly encouraged to audition. All students in the baroque orchestra will be loaned baroque bows for use in the ensemble and will be instructed in baroque string playing techniques by the ensemble's co-director, baroque cellist Elisabeth Reed. In addition, there is the opportunity for all string players to learn the viola da gamba and perform in viol consorts in baroque ensemble performances. Questions about viola da gamba study should be directed to Elisabeth Reed ( soundbodies@gmail.com). The school has several violas da gamba for loan.
Flute, oboe, and bassoon students are highly encouraged to audition. There are positions open for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, and 1 bassoon.
Repertoire for 2008-2009 includes:
Fall Concerts:
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1. Corelli Concerti Grosso, Geminiani The Enchanted Forest, Tartini
2. Brandenburg Concerti, Bach Orchestral Suites
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Spring Concerts:
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1. Handel Rinaldo
2. Concerto concert with winners of the Baroque Ensemble Concerto Competition. (Competition held in the fall semester and open to all baroque ensemble members)
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New Music Ensemble/Blueprint ( more info)
No extra audition repertoire required other than the orchestral excerpts used for Conservatory Orchestra. This audition will take place at the same time as the Conservatory Orchestra audition.
Chamber Music: Strings and Piano
Audition requirement: one solo piece or movement This audition will take place at the same time as the Conservatory Orchestra audition.
Chamber Music: Woodwind
No extra audition repertoire required other than the orchestral excerpts an solo piece used for Conservatory Orchestra. This audition will take place at the same time as the Conservatory Orchestra audition.
Chamber Music: Brass
No extra audition repertoire required other than the orchestral excerpts an solo piece used for Conservatory Orchestra.. This audition will take place at the same time as the Conservatory Orchestra audition.
Jazz Improvisation Workshop
Audition requirement: prepare one jazz "standard" If you do not know any standards then be prepared to improvise.
Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Guitar Ensemble
Audition requirement: one solo piece or movement
Sign-up for your audition time on Wed. Aug., 22 outside room 408.
Conservatory Baroque-Instrumental
Corey Jamason and Elisabeth Reed, directors
Audition requirement: Open to all string, wind, keyboard, and guitar students. No extra audition repertoire required other than the orchestral excerpts used for Conservatory Orchestra. This audition will take place at the same time as the Conservatory Orchestra auditions at the beginning of the fall semester. No prior experience in baroque/period instrument performance necessary to audition.
This ensemble offers an opportunity to explore baroque orchestral, chamber, and solo repertoire in an historically informed manner through extensive rehearsal, private coaching, and the study of performance practice. The baroque ensemble is open to all students in the Conservatory. This two-semester courses meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-1:50.
Guitar students interested in participating need to have previously taken the guitar continuo courses offered at the Conservatory or have had prior continuo study elsewhere. Interested guitar students should contact Corey Jamason to discuss placement in the ensemble. ( cjamason@earthlink.net)
Repertoire for 2008-2009 includes:
Fall Concerts:
| |
1. Corelli Concerti Grosso, Geminiani The Enchanted Forest, Tartini
2. Brandenburg Concerti, Bach Orchestral Suites
|
Spring Concerts:
| |
1. Handel Rinaldo
2. Concerto concert with winners of the Baroque Ensemble Concerto Competition. (Competition held in the fall semester and open to all baroque ensemble members)
|
This audition will happen at the same time as your guitar ensemble audition.
Jazz Improvisation Workshop
Audition requirement: one jazz "standard" If you do not know any standards then be prepared to improvise.
Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Chamber Music: Strings and Piano
Audition requirement: one solo piece or movement and sight-reading
Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Conservatory Baroque-Instrumental
Corey Jamason and Elisabeth Reed, directors
Audition Requirement: Open to all string, wind, keyboard, and guitar students. No extra audition repertoire required other than the orchestral excerpts used for Conservatory Orchestra. This audition will take place at the same time as the Conservatory Orchestra auditions at the beginning of the fall semester. No prior experience in baroque/period instrument performance necessary to audition.
This ensemble offers an opportunity to explore baroque orchestral, chamber, and solo repertoire in an historically informed manner through extensive rehearsal, private coaching, and the study of performance practice. The baroque ensemble is open to all students in the Conservatory. This two-semester courses meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-1:50.
Keyboard students interested in participating need to have previously taken the guitar continuo courses offered at the Conservatory or have had prior continuo study elsewhere. Interested keyboard students should contact Corey Jamason to discuss placement in the ensemble. ( cjamason@earthlink.net)
Repertoire for 2008-2009 includes:
Fall Concerts:
| |
1. Corelli Concerti Grosso, Geminiani The Enchanted Forest, Tartini
2. Brandenburg Concerti, Bach Orchestral Suites
|
Spring Concerts:
| |
1. Handel Rinaldo
2. Concerto concert with winners of the Baroque Ensemble Concerto Competition. (Competition held in the fall semester and open to all baroque ensemble members)
|
This audition will happen at the same time as your keyboard ensemble audition.
Jazz Improvisation Workshop
Audition requirement: one jazz "standard" If you do not know any standards then be prepared to improvise.
Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Read me! Click here for a letter from the chair of the vocal department
Conservatory Baroque-Vocal
Audition requirement: any baroque aria
Fall Concert: Solo songs and madrigals of Caccini, Peri, Monteverdi and other early 17th c. Italian composers.
Spring Production: Handel Rinaldo
Spring Concert: Solo songs, lute songs, consort songs, and madrigals of Dowland, Byrd, Campion, Lawes.
Sign-up for your audition time on Wed. Aug., 22 outside room 408.
New Music Ensemble/Blueprint ( more info)
Specific audition repertoire and date of audition is not yet set. Please check back later.
Musical Theatre Workshop
Audition requirement: two contrasting musical theatre pieces, one must be by Stephen Sondheim
Musical Theater Workshop is open to all voice majors, freshman through post-graduate. The fall Musical Theatre production will be either Urinetown or The Mystery of Edwin Drood, stay tuned. Please note you must have no class conflicts to be cast in the full production.
Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Jazz Improvisation Workshop
Audition requirement: one jazz "standard" If you do not know any standards then be prepared to improvise. Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Opera Workshop
Audition requirement: two contrasting arias, sophomore standing required for Beginning Opera Workshop, junior standing required for Advanced Opera Workshop, successful completion of APP 204/205 (303/304) Stage Basics required.
Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Opera Theater
Auditions for both the fall and the spring operas will occur on August 23 with call-backs on August 25.
The fall production will be a condensed version of Mozart's The Magic Flute, directed by Heather Carolo with musical direction by Kathy Cathcart and pianist Darryl Cooper. The opera will be double cast and performed in English. The opera will be performed at two different Elementary Schools and as well as four performances on December 6 and 7 at the Conservatory in the Concert Hall with piano and conductor. This production will be fully costumed and use touring sets. The role of Sarastro will mainly be a narrator. The roles of the three spirits will be played by SFCM students. Please prepare the excerpts for your audition using Marcie Stapp's English translation which may be found in the SFCM library.
The spring opera production will be Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld and will be performed in Italian with full orchestra and costumes April 2-5, 2009. It will be directed by Richard Harrell with Musical Direction by Kathy Cathcart and Musical Coaching by Darryl Cooper. Please note: If cast in this opera it means you must give up your spring break for additional rehearsals. Many roles in this production will also be double cast. Excerpts are on reserve in the SFCM Library.
(For a list of the required Orpheus in the Underworld and The Magic Flute excerpts, refer to the bottom of the voice department letter posted at the beginning of the voice ensemble section.) Opera Theatre is open to all voice majors, freshman through post-graduate.
Operatic Stage Direction:
Audition requirement: No additional repertoire needed, completion of a minimum of one semester of Opera Workshop at SFCM.
Sign-up for your audition time on Tues., Aug. 19 outside room 408.
Preparing a Role
Auditions take place in April for the following fall semester
The class will prepare and present one-act operas in workshop setting. The course will give the participants the opportunity to learn and prepare an entire opera role. Participants will audition during the previous semester and will assigned at that time. This allows singers to prepare musically well before the class begins which maximizes staging time. Prerequisite: one completed semester of Opera Workshop and audition.
The class will prepare and present one-act operas in workshop setting. The course will give the participants the opportunity to learn and prepare an entire opera role. Participants will audition during the previous semester and will assigned at that time. This allows singers to prepare musically well before the class begins which maximizes staging time. Prerequisite: one completed semester of Opera Workshop and audition.
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