Music
Welcome!
The music curriculum is intended to meet the general needs of liberal arts students while providing students interested in a music major or minor with the skills needed to excel in their area of concentration (performance, education, history, composition). In keeping with a liberal arts philosophy, the department encourages interested students campus-wide to participate in its varied ensembles. Individual ensembles are designed to meet the students' musical needs while providing a positive educational experience. Private instruction (instrumental, vocal and composition) is intended for those students desiring to raise their musical skills to a higher level. Acknowledging the need to examine the contributions of various cultures, the curriculum exposes students to a broad spectrum of musical influences (western European, jazz, world music, American folk, African- American, computer music). The department also generates or sponsors concerts throughout the academic year to make music an important aspect of life at Denison.
- Scholarship Application [pdf]
Choral Audition Times for the Fall Semester (Chamber Singers and Concert Choir)
Saturday, August 30 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Monday, September 1 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Please contact Dr. Cheng at chengw@denison.edu to schedule an audition time. If you cannot make one of these time slots, please make an appointment by contacting Dr. Cheng. All auditions will take place in Burton 103.
Concert Choir Information
I am Wei Cheng, the new Director of Choral Activities at Denison. While you are preparing for the beginning of school, I am inviting you to join me for an open rehearsal for Concert Choir to be held on the first day of class (6:30-8:30 at Swasey Chapel).. Below is more detailed information. In addition, please help me to spread the word to anyone who you think might be interested. Thank you. I hope you enjoyed your summer break and are getting ready for a successful semester.
We will be singing Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms paired with a cantata by J. S. Bach; for the second half of the concert there will be Christmas Carols and John Rutter’s Gloria accompanied by brass choir. The instrumentalists will be chosen from Denison University and the community. Below is a tentative schedule for this semester.
Rehearsal Time: Every Monday 6:30-8:30 pm starting Monday, September 1
Rehearsal Place: Swasey Chapel
Performance: Friday, December 12, 2008 Where: Swasey Chapel
When: 8:00 pm
Please note that the open rehearsal is open to everyone, no audition is required. Anyone interested in singing will be welcome. This first rehearsal will be your opportunity to see how I conduct rehearsal and my opportunity to get a feel for the choir. We will be making some music, talking about the audition process, and answering any questions you may have.
Our attendance policy will allow you to have two absences, more than two absences will not be tolerated except for an emergency situation. If you sang with the Concert Choir last year, your position in the chorus is automatically secured without audition. In lieu of an audition for those returning from last year, I am asking you to inform me that you are accepting your place in the choir so I can prepare to audition new community members to achieve a balanced choir.
I look forward to seeing you at the first rehearsal on Monday, September 1st. In the meantime, have a wonderful summer.
Band & Orchestra at Denison
EXPRESS YOURSELF! Audition for Denison’s Band & Orchestras!
WHO? Denison students with previous instrumental music experience: Winds, Brass, Percussion and Strings.
WHAT? Registering for Orchestra is the same call number as Band, String Orchestra and FULL Orchestra (with brass, winds and percussion)
Just Register for “Orchestra” (40621-MUSP-130-01)
WHEN? Auditions are held on Thursday, September 4 from 4:30-6:00 in Burke Recital Hall. Rehearsals are as follows:
Tuesdays 4:30-6:00 BAND
Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-6:00 Strings/Full Orchestra.
HOW? Audition and Register!
WHY? EXPRESS YOURSELF!
QUESTIONS? Contact Dr. Mark Wade at wadem@denison.edu (woodwinds, brass, percussion) or Prof. Olev Viro at viroo@denison.edu (strings).
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
WINDS, BRASS & PERCUSSION: one short solo of your choice that represents your current level of playing & a sight-reading excerpt.
STRINGS: One 3 Octave Scale, One Short Solo & some sight-reading.
***The school has a number of instruments that may be checked out to students.
Please inquire.***
The Music Theory Placement Test will be given on Sunday, August 31 at 12:30-1:45 p.m. in Burton Room 14 (basement). This exam is for anyone who would like to test out of Theory I.