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Chamber Music Workshop (Music 165/265). Chamber music activities on a credit basis are available for each quarter. Various ensemble groups (strings, woodwind, brass, early instruments, voice, guitar, harpsichord, and piano) will rehearse twice a week (one of them with a faculty coach) and perform in the end-of-quarter open studio. Students can organize an ensemble in coordination with a faculty coach or apply individually to be placed in a group. The auditions will be arranged with coordinating faculty members. Contact Chamber Music Coordinator Mesut Özgen at mozgen@ucsc.edu during the first week of each quarter. Repertoire and rehearsal meeting times are decided by the players and faculty coach together for each group. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Contemporary Music Ensemble (Music 168).
The Contemporary Music Ensemble generally focuses on experimental music composed during the past fifty years. Interested students meet with the instructor in advance for a brief interview/audition; in general, however, the ensemble is currently open to all students who have a desire to explore unconventional and innovative notation, novel approaches to the production of sound, and spontaneous and interactive performance practices. During the past few seasons the ensemble has ranged from eight to sixteen musicians. Recently the ensemble has given a concert performing on Lou Harrison's American gamelan orchestra "Si Betty," and has had opportunities to work closely with visiting composers Larry Polansky, Fred Frith, and Jody Diamond. The ensemble usually meets during the winter quarter. All instruments are welcome. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Early Music Consort (Music 163). This ensemble studies selected 3- to 6-part works culminating in one or more public concerts. Students must demonstrate instrumental or vocal competence and music literacy. The course focuses on Renaissance, Baroque and Classical chamber music. Performances use historical instruments such as viols, historic guitar, recorders, Renaissance flute, Baroque violin bows, and historical keyboard instruments such as harpsichords. Chest organ and fortepiano are available for the use of qualified students. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Opera Workshop (Music 159A-B). Directed by Brian Staufenbiel, the opera workshop is open to singers, accompanists, and directors who wish to develop a wide variety of skills related to opera through scene-work. Attention is given to movement, acting, coaching, and operatic stage-directing technique. Instruction culminates in studio productions of scenes from operas and musicals. Admission by permission of vocal instructor, or by audition with instructor, at the beginning of fall quarter. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Percussion Ensemble (Music 165) William Winant/director. Repertoire includes the music of Varese, Cowell, Chavez, Russell, Cage, Harrison, Roldan, Xenakis, Stockhausen, Zappa as well as more current composers ie: John Zorn, Fred Frith, James Tenney, Larry Polansky, Chris Brown, Frederic Rzweski, Alvin Curran, Peter Garland and Steve Reich. The group actually works directly with many of the composers listed above and does concerts and recordings outside of scheduled school events. For over 20 years percussion ensemble has been featured at the April in Santa Cruz New Music Festival. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Small Jazz Ensembles. (Music 164). Groups of 4-6 players working with music traditions of the Jazz world. Groups perform composed arrangements as well as develop there own arrangements of Jazz standards and original compositions. Past concerts have included works from composers such as John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Don Grolnick, and many more. Stan Poplin directs students in the practice of ensemble playing in the Jazz style. Emphasis is placed on developing skills that allow players to animate the music with the ability to respond in the moment to the musical environment. See schedule of classes for further detail. |
