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Chamber Singers (Music 166). The University Chamber Singers, an advanced choir conducted by Nicole Paiement, specializes in presenting works for small ensembles from a variety of historical periods in historically informed performances. The Ensemble has received the American Choral Federation’s Louise Goucher Madrigal Award for their performance of works by John Wilbye. The Chamber Singers frequently appear with performing organizations in the Bay area. They are featured on many world premiere recordings including two CD recordings of music by Lou Harrison, a selection of French chansons from the Renaissance, cantatas by Alessandro Stradella, and the recently released recording of Milhaud’s Cantate de la Guerre. The Ensemble perform repertoire with orchestra as well as a cappella concerts. The choir is open by audition to all members of the university community though most members are voice majors of the music department. Participation requires advanced level of vocal and music-reading skills. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Classical Guitar Ensemble (Music 6). Study of selected repertoire and instruction in performance for classical guitar ensemble. Ensembles for guitar and other instruments will prepare works for public performances both on and off campus. All students enrolled in individual guitar lessons are expected to enroll. Students of other instruments or voice may also audition. Some additional rehearsal time, individually and with the group, is required. Admission by audition with instructor prior to first class meeting.
Large Jazz Ensemble (Music 3). In an effort to promote and perpetuate the indigenous American form of music known as jazz, the UCSC Large Jazz Ensemble continues in its mission to study and perform the finest jazz literature written or arranged for a big band format. Now in its third year under the direction of Rob Klevan, the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Jazz Educator of the Year, 2003-04, the Large Jazz Ensemble regularly performs both on and off the UCSC campus. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Opera Theater. (Music 160) Brian Staufenbiel, Director of Opera Program and Nicole Paiement, Musical Director. The UCSC Opera Theatre presents a full production with orchestra, costumes, sets, and lighting each year. The opera program has gain recognition throughout the West Coast as a strong department in opera and voice, ideal for young talented singers to gain much needed experience on the stage. The majority of roles are sung by undergraduates giving a rare opportunity to young singers that larger conservatories rarely offer. The opera program at UCSC offers a well-rounded educational experience—please read more about the Opera Workshop. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Recent Opera Productions Include:
Berlin to Broadway by Weill
Magic Flute by Mozart
Carmen by Bizet
The Elixir of Love by Donizetti
Gianni Schicchi by Puccini and The Medium by Menotti
Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart
Street Scene by Weill
Don Giovanni by Mozart
University Concert Choir (Music 1C). The UCSC Concert Choir is under the direction of Nat Berman and is more than 80 members strong. The choir performs music from the canon of choral repertoire and past works have included Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, and Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. Auditions for the UCSC Concert Choir are open to all students, staff, faculty and community members. Choral experience is an asset, but not mandatory. See schedule of classes for further detail.
University Orchestra (Music 2). The UCSC Orchestra, conducted by Nicole Paiement is open to all students, staff and faculty at UCSC and to community members. Every year, the ensemble invites a professional guest soloist to perform a major concerto of the orchestral repertoire Past works include Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 2, Dvorak's Cello Concerto, Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, Stravinsky's Piano Concerto and Schumann's Piano Concert. The Orchestra also performs annually with the winner of the UCSC Concerto Competition. The Competition takes place during the Winter quarter. Past concertos have included Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Mozart’s Exultate, jubilate, Saint-Saens’ Violin Concerto no. 1, and Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. The ensemble is exposed to a large variety of repertoire ranging from Baroque to Contemporary with attention to performance practice. Each year the Orchestra joins the UCSC Opera Theater in a full production of an opera (Carmen, Elisir d’amor, Gianni Schicchi, The Medium, Le Nozze di Figaro, Street Scene). The Orchestra also often joins the choral ensembles in the performance of major choral works (Carmina Burana, Honegger’s King David, Mozart’s Requiem). At times the Orchestra also has the opportunity to play under guest conductors. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Wind Ensemble (Music 9). The UCSC Wind Ensemble is devoted to the study and performance of the highest quality and most challenging repertoire written for wind band. The ensemble was founded in the fall of 1998 under the direction of the current conductor, Robert Klevan, and since that time has grown to include over seventy members. In addition to presenting three major concerts per year, the UCSC Wind Ensemble also performs at various school and community functions, and has been featured in the Ensemble Debut series at Carnegie Hall where the band received a standing ovation from a near capacity house. See schedule of classes for further detail.
Women's Chorale (Music 1A). The Women's Chorale is directed by graduate students in conducting under the supervision of Professor Nicole Paiement. The ensemble is open to both students and community members. The chorale has a tradition of performing varied styles of music, from Renaissance to 20th century, and promotes music by women composers. Familiarity with basic music notation is recommended. See schedule of classes for further detail.
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