Ensembles
Students with varying abilities and interests find performing opportunities in faculty-led ensembles and chamber groups which perform regularly both on and off campus.
Students electing an ensemble for credit are expected to perform in the ensemble’s concert or recital and must complete (or be enrolled in) one of the following: MU111 (Intro to Music), 153 (Intro to Music Theory DAW), 181 (Music Theory I), or 252 (Intro to World Music). An AP Music Theory score of a 4 or higher may also be submitted to qualify for credit.
Students who want to participate in an ensemble (Collegium, Chorale, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and African Drumming) must officially register for that ensemble (MU093 or MU193). To register, please follow this link. (**Note that although students are unable to register for more than one section of MU093/193 through course selection, students may enroll in multiple ensembles – contact Jennifer Phillips for more information).
Once a chamber group or combo is formed, the instructor will send the members a Google form to officially register.
Registration for large ensembles must be done through the registration portal.
More information can be found by clicking on the ensemble you are interested in
The Colby Symphony Orchestra is made up of a wide variety of musicians. In addition to students, who make up about half of the ensemble, the Orchestra is staffed by Colby’s applied music associates and local amateurs and professionals.
Rehearsals take place Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 in the Gordon Center performance hall. Each fall, auditions are held for all incoming players, primarily to give the conductor an idea of the levels of playing ability available within the ensemble. These auditions are very informal and relaxed. Jinwook Park is the conductor of the Colby Symphony Orchestra.
Audition Information:
Auditions for spring semester take place in CSO director Jinwook Park’s office (G43) in the Gordon Center for Creative & Performing Arts by appointment.
String and wind players, please prepare one movement from a concerto/sonata, or any showpiece.
For more information, please email Jinwook Park:
[email protected]
Picture courtesy of Hannah McGowan
The Colby College Chorale is a large, all-inclusive mixed chorus dedicated to the performance of a wide variety of international choral music – sacred, secular, popular and major masterworks from all over the world, including one performance a year in conjunction with the Colby College Symphony Orchestra. Membership in the Chorale is open to all students at Colby, regardless of class year or major; the most important prerequisite is that you enjoy making music with your peers, and that you are willing to participate in a highly engaging and entertaining environment, resulting in high-quality performances with a dedicated choral community.
REHEARSAL TIMES
Monday 4:00-6:00 PM (sectionals)
Tuesday 7:00-9:30 PM
Rehearsals are held in the Gordon Center Studio 1.
For more information, please email Néviton Barros: [email protected]
Picture courtesy of Hannah McGowan
The Colby College Collegium is a select vocal chamber ensemble devoted to the performance of repertoire in all genres. The ensemble is made up of 24 mixed voices with 6 on a part. Collegium serves as choral ambassadors for Colby College through off-campus performances, frequent collaborations, and recording projects.
Auditions for membership takes place at the beginning of each academic semester or by appointment.
Anyone interested in Collegium must audition, including prior participants. Sight reading and interview will take place at the audition.
REHEARSAL TIMES
Wednesday 7:00-9:30 PM in Gordon Center Studio 1
For more information, please email Néviton Barros: [email protected]
Picture courtesy of Hannah McGowan
The Colby College Wind Ensemble is comprised of Colby students and members of the community. Open to everyone on a non-audition basis, the ensemble invites the participation of all interested woodwind, brass, and percussion players. The Wind Ensemble often has clarinet, flute, sax, choirs, brass, and percussion ensembles depending on student interest. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm – 9:30pm, and the group plays one concert each semester.
Students who are interested in performing in Wind Ensemble and Chorale may participate in both ensembles simultaneously. Email [email protected] for assistance enrolling in both courses.
All incoming freshmen who wish to join Wind Ensemble must sign up for an individual, non-playing meeting.
Meetings will be during the first week of classes. Check the sign up sheet for the most updated meeting times. If the posted schedule doesn’t fit your availability, email [email protected]
Sign up for an individual meeting here.
For more information please email Brendon Wilkins: [email protected]
Picture courtesy of Marti Stone Photography
The Colby Jazz Band is open to all student saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, and drum players on an audition basis. The group plays traditional big band music from the Swing era to contemporary funk and Latin jazz. Rehearsals are on Thursday nights from 7:00pm – 9:30pm.
The Colby Jazz Combos are open to all instrumentalists and vocalists interested in performing jazz and contemporary music in a small group. Jazz combo coachings are scheduled to fit the availability of the members of the group, and jazz combos have opportunities to play for events on and off campus.
All students who have not performed in the Jazz Band or a Jazz Combo before, including incoming freshmen, must audition to join the Jazz Band or a Jazz Combo. Audition materials for the coming academic year are posted on August 15th.
Auditions for the Jazz Band and Jazz Combos are to help the director better understand the experience level of the students, but not to join the ensembles. All interested students will have an opportunity to perform with a jazz group.
Audition Info:
Auditions for Jazz Band will be held during the first week of classes. Check the sign up sheet for the most updated audition times. If the posted schedule doesn’t fit your availability, email [email protected]
Click here to sign up for a time, review audition requirements, and find music for auditions. Audition materials will be posted by August 15th, 2024.
For more information please email Brendon Wilkins: [email protected]
Picture courtesy of Hannah McGowan
Led by master drummer Jordan Benissan, a native of Togo, West Africa, the Colby African Drumming Ensemble offers students a chance to perform music from various African cultures. Students gain hands-on experience with various instruments, including drums, rattles, and bells, and learn several traditions of African singing and dancing. The group presents concerts both on campus and throughout the state of Maine.
For more information, please email Messan Jordan Benissan: [email protected]
Colby’s active chamber music program provides a variety of opportunities to make music with other students. The guitar ensemble is a standing group that performs each semester. Students may also form their own ensemble with assistance from one of our applied music faculty, including string quartets, piano trios, and jazz combos.
Ensembles may perform by audition in the Music Departmental Recital, held at the end of each semester. Recent chamber pieces performed include Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Beethoven String Quartets, and Brahms’s Piano Trio No. 1 in B major. Chamber music groups are coached by members of our applied music faculty, and students may elect to take chamber music for academic credit or participate on a non-credit basis as an extra-curricular activity.
For students interested in joining the Guitar ensemble, contact Mark Leighton for more information: [email protected]
For students interested in setting up a chamber ensemble or joining one, please contact Yuri (Lily) Funahashi: [email protected].
For students interested in joining a jazz combo, please contact Brendon Wilkins for more information: [email protected]
In addition, students can perform in:
- student recitals
- master classes
- annual concerto competition
- informal concerts in the Mary Low Coffeehouse
- collaborations with Theater and Dance
Picture courtesy of Marti Stone Photography
There are also numerous student-run groups, including several a cappella groups, Broadway Musical Revue, and Handbell Choir.
Students can also join the Colby Music Incubator, a student-run organization which cultivates student bands and provides performance opportunities throughout the year.
For student contact information please see the student clubs page.