Ensembles

The Carleton Choir is a select vocal ensemble (SATB) performing concertized choral music from diverse genres. It strives for artistic excellence whether singing music from the Baroque period to contemporary choral music, or arrangements of spirituals, pop songs, or global songs. The Carleton Choir regularly tours and collaborates with other choirs. Singers demonstrate moderate to advanced musicianship skills and most have strong vocal background from voice lessons and/or high school choirs. An audition is required, and members are expected to commit to the entire academic year (with exceptions offered for varsity sports, off-campus program, and unique academic circumstances). Admission by audition.

The Carleton Voices is a mixed vocal ensemble that sings eclectic musical styles including musical theater, pop/rock, classical, gospel, folk, jazz, and global songs. The ensemble regularly collaborates with guest artists ranging from folk bands, gospel trios, and visiting choirs. Singers do not need to be able to read Western music notation; rehearsals will be led via multiple learning modes including call and response, learning tracks, instrumental support, and sheet music. Each term, The Carleton Voices collaborates with The Carleton Choir in rehearsals and concert. A voice placement is required so that the instructor can learn about your vocal range.

The Carleton Orchestra performs large symphonic masterpieces, such as Beethoven, Stravinsky and Bernstein. Concerti with students and faculty soloists, and smaller works for string and wind ensembles are also performed. Occasional sight-reading sessions. Admission by audition.

The ensemble will use indigenous instruments and a Chinese approach to musical training in order to learn and perform music from China. In addition to the Wednesday meeting time, there will be one sectional rehearsal each week. Prerequisite: Previous experience in a music ensemble, Chinese Musical instruments or instructor permission.

The Carleton Symphony Band performs music selected from the standard and contemporary repertory, including compositions by Holst, Masianka, Arnold and others. Regular sight-reading sessions. Admission by audition.

The Carleton Jazz Ensemble's focus is on improvisation and the fusion between jazz, rock, funk, and Latin influences. There is no predetermined instrumentation. Rather, the ensemble's size and instrumentation vary each term. String players, vocalists, and any brass or woodwind instrumentalists are welcome to register. The ensemble performs once each term. Admission by audition.

An introduction to the anthropology of music through readings, discussion, and hands-on encounters with the percussion-based musical styles of West Africa. The course will cover the history and ethnography of West African societies and cultures, methods of fieldwork and music analysis, and engage with classic and contemporary scholarship. In addition, students will learn essential playing techniques and repertoire through performing in djembe-centered percussion ensembles. No prior musical experience required.

Small group study and performance of instrumental and/or vocal chamber music from the western art music or non-western/folk repertory. Groups are usually formed by students prior to registration, and should consist of 3-8 musicians. Student groups are coached weekly by specialized music faculty, and participate in an end-of-term performance. Students must be registered, may not audit, and can register for only one group per term.