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.

For spring auditions, students should sign up on the Registrar bulletin board outside of room 408. 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.

Composition Majors
Orchestral Instruments
Guitar Majors
Keyboard Instrument Majors
Voice Majors

Composition majors are welcome to participate in any ensemble for which they meet pre-requisites and/or pass any required audition.

Information regarding student composition submissions to be performed by the New Music Ensemble.

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 and wind 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. This two-semester courses meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-1:50.

2009-2010 Baroque ensemble repertoire will include Handel's Giulio Cesare, orchestral and vocal music of Henry Purcell, concertos performed by winners of the Baroque Ensemble Concerto Competition as well as chamber and vocal music of Handel, Vivaldi and Bach. All students in the ensemble are invited to compete in the Concerto Competition. The competition is in late January and consists of the performance of one baroque concerto. Winners will perform in the ensemble's April performance.

All string players are highly encouraged to audition. All string players 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. Orchestral work with the ensemble will be with modern string instruments and baroque bows. Chamber music concerts will be performed with period instruments.

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.

New Music Ensemble/Blueprint
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.
NME/Blueprint Season (with instrumentation) and Tentative Schedule

Note: NME ensemble assignments are for the entire year.

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.

Guitar Ensemble
Audition requirement: one solo piece or movement
Sign-up for your audition time on Tuesday, August 18th outside room 408.

Conservatory Baroque-Instrumental
Corey Jamason and Elisabeth Reed, directors
Guitar students interested in participating need to have previously taken 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)

This ensemble offers an opportunity to explore baroque orchestral, chamber and solo repertoire in a 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.

2009-2010 Baroque ensemble repertoire will include Handel's Giulio Cesare, orchestral and vocal music of Henry Purcell, concertos performed by winners of the Baroque Ensemble Concerto Competition as well as chamber and vocal music of Handel, Vivaldi and Bach. All students in the ensemble are invited to compete in the Concerto Competition. The competition is in late January and consists of the performance of one baroque concerto. Winners will perform in the ensemble's April performance.

New Music Ensemble/Blueprint
No extra audition repertoire required other than what will be used for the guitar ensemble audition.

NME/Blueprint Season (with instrumentation) and tentative schedule

Note: NME ensemble assignments are for the entire year.

These auditions will happen at the same time as your guitar ensemble audition.

Chamber Music: Strings and Piano
Audition requirement: one solo piece or movement and sight-reading
Sign-up for your audition time on Tuesday, August 18th outside room 408.

Conservatory Baroque-Instrumental
Corey Jamason and Elisabeth Reed, directors
Keyboard students interested in participating need to have previously taken 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)

This ensemble offers an opportunity to explore baroque orchestral, chamber, and solo repertoire in a 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.

2009-2010 Baroque ensemble repertoire will include Handel's Giulio Cesare, orchestral and vocal music of Henry Pucell, concertos performed by winners of the Baroque Ensemble Concerto Competition as well as chamber and vocal music of Handel, Vivaldi and Bach. All students in the ensemble are invited to compete in the Concerto Competition. The competition is in late January and consists of the performance of one baroque concerto. Winners will perform in the ensemble's April performance.

New Music Ensemble/Blueprint
No extra audition repertoire required other than what will be used for the other keyboard ensembles audition.

NME/Blueprint Season (with instrumentation) and tentative schedule

Note: NME ensemble assignments are for the entire year.

Conservatory Baroque-Vocal
Audition requirement: Any Handel aria. Please see Voice Department summer letter for details on Baroque Ensemble (this letter was sent to your personal email account).

Fall Concert: Solo Arias of Handel
Spring Opera Production: Fully-staged performances of Handel's Giulio Cesare.
Spring Concert: Solo Arias of Vivaldi

Sign-up for your audition time on Tuesday, August 18th outside room 408.

New Music Ensemble/Blueprint
No extra audition repertoire required other than the arias used for the opera workshop/theater audition. This audition will take place at the same time as the opera programs audition.

NME/Blueprint Season (with instrumentation) and tentative schedule

Chamber Choir
No extra audition repertoire required other than what will be used for Conservatory Baroque.

This will be an auditioned choir at a high vocal level. You are welcome to audition for the following three productions:
1. Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, a late masterpiece with great choruses, arias, duets and ensembles.
2. A production of famous and beloved opera choruses.
3. A production of music for women's choir, a cappella and accompanied.

Musical Theater Workshop
Audition requirement: Two musical theater pieces of contrasting styles.

Musical Theatre Workshop is open to all students. The 2009-10 Musical Theatre productions are still being decided. Some ideas are Little Shop of Horrors, The Apple Tree and Assassins. Please note you must have no class conflicts to be cast in the full productions. If you have questions, please check the Musical Theater board or contact the director, Heather Mathews at: hmathews@sfcm.edu. It is highly recommended you enroll in Beginning Theatrical Dance as well

Sign-up for your audition time on Tuesday, August 18th outside room 408.

Opera Programs: Operatic Stage Direction, Opera Workshop, Preparing a Role, Opera Theater

Audition requirement (for all opera programs): two contrasting arias. Please indicate interest in for program(s) at time of audition.

Sign-up for your audition time on Tuesday, August 18th outside room 408.

Opera Workshop I
A performance class that introduces voice majors to opera, this class stresses vocal and stage styles of various periods through performances of operatic scenes. Students are introduced to audition practices, secco recitative study and theatrical work to supplement Fundamentals for the Singing Actor. Additionally, class members meet weekly in a master class for the combined opera workshop classes. Public performance each semester in workshop format. Sophomore standing and successful completion of APP 204/205 Stage Basics/Fundamentals for the Singing Actor required.

Opera Workshop II
A performance class designed for advanced singers, each of its two divisions meets twice weekly for preparation of operatic scenes in the original language. Other material covered continues to explore audition practices, secco recitative study and theatrical work. Additionally, both divisions meet weekly in a master class for the combined opera workshop classes. Public performance each semester in workshop format. Junior standing and successful completion of APP 204/205 Stage Basics/Fundamentals for the Singing Actor required.

Opera Theatre
ENS 512 R Conservatory Opera Theatre (fall)
Performance of a fully staged and costumed production with piano and conductor. Recent productions include The Magic Flute and Hansel and Gretel.

ENS 513 R Conservatory Opera Theatre (spring)
The Opera Program produces a fully staged opera with orchestra, guest scenic and costume designers, and international guest conductors. The spring production serves as a vital performance experience and showcase for all participants. Recent productions include Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach, conducted by Bruno Ferrandis and L’Egisto by Cavalli, conducted by Christopher Larkin.

Repertoire for both Opera Theatre productions will be decided following the auditions in August

Operatic Stage Direction (fall semester only):
Introduces singers to the many facets of stage direction for opera. Students perform in and direct opera scenes. Investigates how a stage director prepares and executes an opera scene and provides a unique and valuable perspective for performing artists. Completion of a minimum of one semester of Opera Workshop at SFCM.

Preparing a Role
Auditions take place in April for the following fall semester
The class will prepare and present one-act operas in a 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 roles will be assigned at that time. This allows singers to prepare musically well before the class begins which maximizes staging time. Additionally, class members meet weekly in a master class for the combined opera workshop classes. Public performance each semester. Participants will audition during the previous semester and will be 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.