Performance Opportunities

Chorus | Chamber Singers | Chamber Winds
Civic Band | Civic Symphony Orchestra
Clarinet Ensemble | Flute Ensemble | Jazz Ensemble
Opera Workshop | Percussion Ensemble | Pit Orchestra

 

Chorus

The University Chorus is the University's largest vocal ensemble, and performs two to three concerts per year. Recent repertoire has included the Mozart Requiem, the Vivaldi Gloria, the Duruflé Requiem, and a variety of shorter works. This year the Chorus is preparing for its first-ever tour to Europe, which will take place in May. The Chorus is open to any member of the Wilkes community, including students, faculty, and staff, by audition.

Chamber Singers

The Chamber Singers is the University's premiere vocal ensemble. The Chamber Singers go on tour every January and perform ten or more concerts per year. The repertoire ranges from Renaissance to contemporary, classical to popular, a cappella to accompanied. The Chamber Singers is open to any student member of the University Chorus, by audition only.

Opera Workshop

In the spring, the Wilkes Opera Workshop performs selected opera scenes. Past repertoire has included scenes from Mozart's Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Cosi fan tutte, and Le nozze di Figaro, Menotti's The Medium, Tom Johnson's The Four Note Opera, and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. There are openings both in leading roles and in the opera chorus.


Chamber Winds

This small wind ensemble provides an opportunity for university instrumental music majors and non-majors to rehearse and perform music from the chamber wind and percussion repertoire. Recent performances include In C by Terry Riley, Overture in C by Catel, and March for the Prince of Wales by Haydn. Membership is open to all University students. Required performances include all Wilkes University commencements, a minimum of two concerts per year, and recruiting tours. Instruments are available on loan to those who do not have one.

Civic Band

The Civic Band welcomes University music and non-music majors, adult community members, and advanced high school students to rehearse and perform the most outstanding concert band repertoire. Recent performances included, Sea Songs, Sunrise At Angel's Gate, A Festival Prelude and Chorale and Shaker Dance. Students may participate in the Civic Band either for credit or for non-credit. Admission to the ensemble is by audition with the director, and attendance at weekly rehearsals is expected of each member. The group performs a minimum of two concerts per year. This ensemble and Chamber Winds are required of all University music majors. Instruments are available on loan to those who do not have one.

Civic Symphony Orchestra

The Wyoming Seminary/PAI Civic Symphony is a 70-member symphony orchestra that performs the masterworks of the literature. The Orchestra prepares a major program each semester and presents two concerts, one at Wyoming Seminary's Great Hall and another at the Houlihan/McLean Center at the University of Scranton. Membership in the Orchestra includes students from Wilkes University, Marywood University, University of Scranton, Keystone College, area music educators, local professional musicians, talented amateurs and the best of the region's high school performers.

An audition is required for membership.

Clarinet Ensemble

The Clarinet Ensemble is comprised of students of the Department's Clarinet Studio. Admission is by permission of the instructor.

Flute Ensemble

The Flute Ensemble is comprised of students of the University's flute studio, and presents several performances throughout the year. Recent repertoire includes works by Dahl, Dubois, Gabrielski, Stravinsky, and others.

Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble performs traditional and contemporary music for big band, at both on and off-campus venues. Recent repertoire has included transcriptions of recordings made by Duke Ellington, arrangements for the Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Thad Jones-Mel Lewis bands. Admission is by audition.

Percussion Ensemble

The Percussion Ensemble specializes in 20th century repertoire, and performs a full concert every semester. Admission is by audition.

Pit Orchestra

The Pit Orchestra plays the musical scores for the two musicals the Theatre Program presents each year. Membership varies from show to show depending on the orchestration. This year's schedule includes A Little Night Music and Carnival.