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| Ensembles |
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William Jewell offers a wide variety of ensembles. All music majors are enrolled in at least 8 semesters of a primary ensemble and 4 semesters of a secondary ensemble. Non-majors are actively encouraged to audition and participate in all our ensembles. Some of our ensembles tour nationally each year and internationally periodically. For more information about each, please feel free to contact the relevant faculty member.
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| Instrumental |
The Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band plays literature of the highest standards for wind ensemble. Membership is gained by audition or invitation and is comprised of students who are interested in the more serious aspects of wind and percussion performance. Lifetime friendships and good collegiality come naturally to the band members. The band tours regularly in the Midwest and to farther points on an alternating basis. Phil Schaefer is the conductor.
The Liberty Symphony
As a full symphonic orchestra, the Liberty Symphony performs a season of four principal concerts, including a children’s concert and an oratorio concert with the college choirs. The Liberty Symphony is known in the Kansas City area as one of its finest community orchestras. It is open by audition to wind, percussion and string players, subject to their teacher’s recommendation and the instrumentation needs of the orchestra.
Dr. Tony Brandolino is the conductor.
The Chamber Orchestra
Exploring works from the rich string literature of Bach, Stravinsky and beyond, the Chamber Orchestra is a college group that rehearses once a week and performs on and off campus, sometimes touring throughout the Midwest. Outstanding students are featured as soloists, and the group is often divided into quartets for in-depth chamber studies. Open by audition to all college students regardless of major, the orchestra is conducted by Dr. Tony Brandolino.
The Jazz Band
The Jewell Jazz Band is an 18 piece ensemble
that enjoys the exciting, wide-ranging jazz
literature of many eras. This is the group that
encourages instrumentalists to enjoy
improvisational freedom and often showcases
their own arranging and compositional
endeavors. Membership is by audition and/or
invitation and is subject to the needs of standard
jazz band instrumentation.
Phil Schaefer is the director.
The Jazz Combo
This group performs a wide variety of music, often transcriptions, while focusing on the development of jazz improvisational skills. The group performs as a part of the Jazz Band concerts and in its own concerts each semester. Occasionally, the ensemble will perform for special events around campus. Membership into this group is based on audition or invitation after an interview. While not required, it is highly recommended that members of this ensemble also participate in the Jazz Band. The band is directed by Allen Myers.
The Flute Choir
The Flute Choir is directed by Professor Elaine Brown and is one of the campus’ most active performing ensembles. The choir boasts a full complement of the flute family and can be heard performing its own campus concerts as well as appearing at convocations, schools, churches, clubs and civic groups. The choirs literature is varied and interesting, ranging from transcriptions to original compositions for flute choir.
The Cardinal Brass
This group performs at special campus occasions and ceremonies, as well as in some concerts off campus. The group performs the mostly classical literature that makes brass groups popular and appreciated by many people. Part of its musical offering is often in conjunction with the new campus-located majestic and imposing Quimby pipe organ.
Phil Schaefer directs this group.
The Percussion Ensemble
Led by Professor Ray DeMarchi, percussion instructor at Jewell, this group varies in size but always performs exciting and energizing music. Sometimes the ensemble members write or arrange their own music for extra involvement and enrichment in the medium.
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| Handbells |
Beginning Handbell Choir
The Beginning Handbell Choir is just that: a beginning experience ringing handbells. No musical training is required but basic musical knowledge is helpful. Techniques, terminology and notation are taught using beginning to intermediate level handbell literature. Emphasis is placed more on handbell education than performance. Maximum enrollment: 14 students. Christie White is the conductor.
Advanced Handbell Choir
William Jewell's Advanced Handbell Choir is for those who have previous handbell experience. Advanced sacred and secular literature is performed for several local concerts as well as a spring tour. Auditions are held during the first rehearsal in the Fall Semester, and a year-long commitment is expected if accepted. Maximum enrollment: 14 students.
Christie White is the conductor.
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| Vocal |
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Chapel Choir
The Chapel Choir is an open ensemble with a broad membership of about 50, including upperclass students who choose this ensemble and first year students who are music majors and/or receive music scholarships. More than half the current members of The Chapel Choir are not music majors, but students who enjoy singing great music and possess a desire to learn more about singing. The Chapel Choir performs challenging music of many styles and genres, with frequent solo opportunities. This choir is the primary choir for the annual Christmas Festival and joins the Liberty Symphony Orchestra each spring to perform some of the landmarks of the choral/orchestral literature. Chapel Choir is conducted by Dr. Anthony Maglione.
The Concert Choir is a highly selective
ensemble comprised of our very best choral
singers. In addition to several Kansas City area
performances each semester, this choir makes
an annual United States concert tour. Since
1985, the choir has traveled tri-annually to
England and Scotland for a 14-day concert tour.
The Concert Choir regularly performs some of
the most challenging choral repertoire, from
Bach to Pendereski, Lauridsen to Whitacre.
Concert Choir is led by Dr. Anthony Maglione.
Schola Cantorum
Schola Cantorum specializes in the period and period-informed performance of Early Music (music written before 1750). The group performs both unaccompanied repertoire and is at times joined by baroque instruments for the presentation of chamber repertoire. Recent performances include a Choral Evensong of Elizabethan Music, Vivaldi's Gloria, and Handel's Chandos Anthems. A high degree of independence and proficiency is required. Schola Cantorum is led by Jay Carter, Artist in Residence.
Opera Workshop
The Opera Workshop is an ensemble that involves the student in the study of a selected opera, opera scenes or operetta. The study will include examination of the music and libretto and the effect these elements have on the characterization of each role, normally culminating in a public performance. Recent performances include "Fortune’s Favorites" by Barab, Menotti’s "Old Maid and the Thief", and Francesco "Cavalli’s L’Ormindo", sung in Italian and accompanied by chamber orchestra. Suor Angelica and The Impresario highlighted the 2007-2008 season, along with an evening of Broadway, opera and gourmet desserts entitled Café Diva. The Opera Workshop is led by Ron Witzke.
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