University of Waterloo Ensembles

The University of Waterloo Department of Music at Conrad Grebel University College invites all students, faculty, staff, and community members to join any of the five musical ensembles that it sponsors and organizes. Each ensemble listed below can be taken for credit (0.25 credits each; see note on course numbers at the bottom of this page) or as an extracurricular activity. Regular attendance at rehearsals is required, and attendance at dress rehearsals and performances is mandatory. All of these groups present at least one concert during the term. Audition sign up sheets are available outside the Music Office (Rm 1104) a few weeks prior to the start of the term.

Choral Ensembles

The Chamber Choir meets every Tuesday and Thursday in the CGUC Chapel from 4:00-5:30 p.m. beginning the first week of classes (fall and winter terms only). This small ensemble of about 25 voices performs madrigals, motets, cantatas and other works suitable for a small choir. Acceptance into the UW Chamber Choir is by audition. For the audition, students will be asked to sing one prepared piece of their choice. The Director, Richard Cunningham, will also ask students to sing a series of vocal exercises and do some sight-reading.

The University Choir meets every Tuesday in the CGUC Chapel from 7:00-10:00 p.m. beginning the first week of classes each term. This large choir performs a varied repertoire of works from the past and present. No formal audition is required. Students, faculty, staff and community memebers interested in joining the University Choir should plan to attend the first rehearsal. The University Choir will be directed by Nancy Kidd. All voices are welcome.

The Chapel Choir, under the direction of Leonard Enns, meets every Monday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the CGUC Chapel beginning the first week of classes (fall and winter terms only). This choir is a group of about 30 singers who participate in College chapel services (Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.) and visit area churches. The choir tours annually at the end of April, and has established an ongoing series of CDs with recordings every few years. Acceptance into Chapel Choir is by audition. Students will be asked to arrive to their audition warmed up and ready to sing. The audition requires singing a series of vocal exercises and doing some sight-reading (no prepared piece is required). The Agnes Giesbrecht Choral Music Scholarship is normally awarded in the spring for the upcoming year.

Instrumental Ensembles

The Instrumental Chamber Ensembles, directed by Ben Bolt-Martin, meet at different times during the week, depending on the schedule of the members of each ensemble. After passing an audition, instrumentalists will be placed in small groups of approximately 3 - 8 players based on compatibile abilities. These musicians perform a wide variety of classical music from all time periods.

The UW Stage Band is a jazz ensemble under the direction of Michael Wood. It meets every Monday in the Great Hall (Conrad Grebel University College, room 1111) from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The UW Stage Band is available in fall and winter. The audition sign-up sheet will be located on the bulletin board outside the Music office (room 1104) prior to each term. Auditions consist of one prepared piece in any style. The director tries to accommodate both traditional and non-traditional jazz instruments in the ensemble.

*To note: The sequence for enrolling in music ensemble courses for credit, regardless of the particular ensemble, is as follows for all students:

MUSIC 116 (first term)

MUSIC 117 (second term)

MUSIC 216 (third term)

MUSIC 217 (fourth term)

MUSIC 316 (fifth term)

MUSIC 317 (sixth term)

Sign up for all ensemble auditions will be available on the bulletin board outside the Music Office (Rm 1104) a few weeks prior to the start of term. Each ensemble also has an Information Sheet that is term specific (see Audition Requirements).