Ensembles

Community Choir

MUSC 471 (0.25 units)
Locke

The Kenyon Community Choir is a large chorus designed to perform literature for chorus and orchestra (or piano accompaniment). Sacred and secular works from the baroque period to the present will be performed at concerts and college functions. Membership is open to students, faculty, staff, and other community members. Those who formally enroll should expect to meet requirements beyond the regular weekly rehearsals. The course may be repeated. Prerequisite: a voice-placement audition and permission of instructor.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble

MUSC 479 (0.25 units)
Heuchemer

This ensemble, involving the standard symphonic band instrumentation (woodwinds, brass, and percussion), rehearses and performs a variety of music from the wind ensemble repertoire, including works for smaller chamber-style ensembles. There will be at least one performance per semester. Prerequisite: section-placement hearing and permission of instructor.

Jazz Ensemble

MUSC 480 (0.25 units)
Buehrer

This course offers study of improvisational techniques, jazz, and jazz fusion from the early 1900s to the present. Application is toward individual style and ensemble performance. Work will include reading of lead sheets, transposition, and playing by ear. One or two concerts per semester will be given, with the strong possibility of other performance opportunities and possible inclusion of original works. This course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: audition and permission of instructor. Listen to a clip.

Please also visit the Kenyon Jazz Ensemble on Facebook.

Asian Music Ensemble

MUSC 485 (0.25 units)
Mendonça

This course provides provides ongoing study of the music of Indonesia, focusing on Sundanese gamelan salendro (bronze percussion ensemble) from West Java. Students will be introduced to basic and advanced instrumental techniques for several individual gamelan instruments and receive coaching in musicianship and ensemble skills. The focus will be on traditional styles and conventional repertories. Each semester will culminate in one public performance. This course may be repeated for credit. No previous musical experience is required. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Chamber Singers

MUSC 473 (0.25 units)
Locke

The Kenyon College Chamber Singers are a small choir devoted to the literature for chamber ensemble, both a cappella and accompanied. The class meets five hours per week. Members are required to make concerts and the spring tour a priority. The course may be repeated. Prerequisite: a voice-placement audition and permission of instructor.

Opera and Music Theater Workshop

MUSC 483 (0.25 units)
Marcellana

This course covers preparation and study of representative scenes from the musical theater and opera repertoire. Special attention will be given to diction and characterization. The course will lead to an end-of-semester production. The course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: audition and permission of instructor.

Knox County Symphony

MUSC 472 (0.25 units)
Locke

The Knox County Symphony is a community-based orchestra that performs three times per year, including one combined concert with the Kenyon choirs. Literature includes the standard symphonic and concerto repertoire. The course may be repeated. Enrollment is limited depending on the needs of the orchestra; therefore a competitive seating audition is required. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

(The following ensembles are offered periodically, based upon student interest)

Flute Choir

MUSC 475 (0.25 units)
Packard

This course is open to all qualified flutists upon audition. Special emphasis will be placed on aspects of ensemble playing, intonation, phrasing, and style. Numerous performances will be given. This course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Woodwind Chamber Ensemble

MUSC 476 (0.25 units)
Sorton

This ensemble is open to students with sufficient ability to play chamber music for winds. This course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

String Chamber Ensemble

MUSC 477 (0.25 units)
Biava

This ensemble is open to students with sufficient ability to play chamber music for strings. It is also open to keyboard players. The course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Guitar Ensemble

MUSC 478 (0.25 units)
Keeler

This class is open to all levels of guitarists who are looking to perform with other guitar players in small and large groups. All music will be in tablature and standard notation. The class will explore genre’s from the Renaissance to Rock. All parts will be assigned during the class according to skill level. The course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Bluegrass Ensemble

MUSC 489 (0.25 units)
Gonzalez

This ensemble is for all levels of string musicians who are looking to play in a group that focuses on bluegrass and its various subgenres. The coordination of this ensemble will provide a strong foundation of the various instrumental roles within the group. Rhythmic, melodic, and improvisational techniques will all be addressed in order to provide a thorough understanding of the music. All written music will be given in the form of basic charts, tablature, and staff notation (although reading staff notation is helpful it is not required) when needed. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Early Music Ensemble

MUSC 481 (0.25 units)
Heuchemer

The Early Music Ensemble performs music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque using modern instruments as well as replicas of historical instruments. Performance practice issues will be explored through an examination of surviving primary sources as well as a select number of high-quality secondary sources which focus on historical performance techniques. This course will be offered second semester only. Prerequisite: ability to read music fluently and permission of instructor.

Percussion Ensemble

MUSC 482 (0.25 units)
Dachtyl

Percussion ensemble provides an opportunity for students to perform in a variety of musical styles on traditional and contemporary percussion instruments. The percussion ensemble presents a concert every term. The ensemble is open to all Kenyon students and may require an audition. This course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

French Horn Ensemble

MUSC 484 (0.25 units)
TBA

This course is open to horn players qualified to perform chamber music. Auditions may be required. The class will explore all periods of music with emphasis on style, technique, and ensemble blending. An end-of-the semester performance will be expected. This course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Harp Ensemble

MUSC 486 (0.25 units)
Thompson

This ensemble is open to students with sufficient ability to play harp. This course may be repeated for credit. (Not offered every semester.) Prerequisite: permission of instructor.