About the Ensembles
Chamber Choir (MUPF 201/301)
2011/12 Director: Donald Christianson dgchristianson@gmail.com
The Chamber Choir continues to be the signature choral group at the University of Calgary. The choir strives to sing a broad range of repertoire of the highest quality and membership is by audition. They are active throughout Alberta and in 1988 and 1996 were finalists in CBC Choral Competition. Past tours have included the Eastern USA in 1990, Western Canada in 1994, and Europe in 1996. Website:www.donaldgchristianson.com
University Chorus (MUPF 205/305)
2011/12 Director: Colleen Whidden cwhidden@ucalgary.ca
University Chorus is the largest choir in the Department of Music. Membership is maintained at approximately 85 with a very good balance of voice parts. Repertoire consists of classic major works as well as Canadian, folk, and contemporary pieces.
Symphonic Band (MUPF 211/311)
2011/12 Director: Gareth Jones jonesgd68@yahoo.com
The Symphonic Band is open to all qualified instrumentalists. It averages 60-80 members, and has a very active performing schedule. Tours and recordings are occasionally part of the season's activities.
Wind Ensemble (MUPF 213/313)
2011/12 Director: Gareth Jones jonesgd68@yahoo.com
The U of C Wind Ensemble has earned the reputation as the finest University group of its kind in Canada and one of the principal international leaders in the field. Most notably, the UCWE has performed at the CBDNA National Conference and at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) Conference. Their nine commercial CDs on three recording labels have established their reputation for musical sensitivity, technical polish and innovative programming.
U of C Orchestra (MUPF 215/315)
2011/12 Director: Edmond Agopian agopian@ucalgary.ca
The University of Calgary Orchestra has been broadcast on CBC Radio's Our Music and on its national programs In Performance and Take Five. The orchestra has appeared in the Millennium Music Foundation Concert Series and at the Third Esther Honens Calgary International Piano Competition and Festival.
Collegium Musicum (MUPF221/321)
2011/12 Director: Julie Harris
harrisfast@hotmail.com
The University of Calgary's Early Music Ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire from the Middle Ages to the late-Baroque in a historically-informed context. Early vocal repertoire is a particular focus of the ensemble, which during 2010-11 will focus on English and German Music.
U of C Jazz Ensemble (MUPF 225/325)
2011/12 Director: Jeremy Brown jbrown@ucalgary.ca
The (UCJRE) University of Calgary Jazz Repertory Ensemble is dedicated to performing music from the entire history of jazz music. In addition to works by composer/musicians such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson and Benny Goodman, the group also performs contemporary works representing a broad stylistic diversity. The instrumentation of the ensemble varies according to repertoire, utilizing a core of five saxophones, five trombones, five trumpets, guitar, bass, piano, drums and percussion players.
The UCJE performs a number of on and off-campus concerts each year and is directed by Jeremy Brown. Auditions are in the first week of classes, Fall term 2010.
New Music Ensemble (MUPF 227/327)
2011/12 Directors: Laurie Radford lradford@ucalgary.ca
The New Music Ensemble is really multiple chamber ensembles, depending on the requirements of the music being played. Performers get a chance to play solo and mixed chamber works of the 20th and 21st Centuries, including works by contemporary composers. As well, collaborative group improvisation is a main focus of the ensemble, allowing students to explore their own musical ideas while developing new performance techniques.
World Music Ensemble (MUPF 229/329)
2011/12 Director: Rod Squance rodthomassquance@hotmail.com
The World Music Ensemble is made up of a combination instruments from different cultures throughout the world, including Western and non-Western instruments, and is open to both music majors and non-music majors. Students have the opportunity to explore and perform the music of different cultures and learn new instruments from different cultures, developing new music and reworking traditional music through a student-driven creative process. The classical music, folk music and popular music of various cultural traditions is explored. Students will have the opportunity, if desired, to compose for the group. The individual musical heritages of each student are drawn upon, resulting in new musical expressions that will demonstrate the potential of intercultural understanding and communication.
Chamber Music (MUPF 241/341)
Coordinator: Edmond Agopian agopian@ucalgary.ca
The Chamber Music Program at the University of Calgary offers a rich and varied experience for qualified performers regardless of instrument. Graduate and undergraduate performers collaborate to perform on-campus and in the community. There are several chamber ensembles that are off-shoots of this program including percussion, guitar, brass choir and improvisation.
Guitar Ensemble
Coach: Ralph Maier rkcmaier@shaw.ca
Brass Choir Ensemble
Coach: Gareth jones jonesgd68@yahoo.com
Brass & Percussion Ensemble
Coaches: Rod Squantz rodthomassquance@hotmail.com
Gareth Jones jonesgd68@yahoo.com
Faculty/Resident Ensembles
The UCalgary String Quartet
The University of Calgary String Quartet was formed in 1994 with Canadian string artists Amanda Forsyth, Edmond Agopian, Olga Kotova and Christopher Sandvoss. Since then, the quartet has performed in concert halls across Canada and has been broadcast several times regionally and nationally on CBC Radio. Its CD recording of Brahms's Piano Quintet with Canadian pianist Anton Kuerti, recorded by CBC Radio, received enthusiastic reviews from the Canadian press. Maev Brennan, arts critic for the Daily Courier wrote: "more than just colleagues, these four seem to be musical soul mates. They balance, blend and interweave perfectly whether playing Mozart or Shostakovich." As the resident string quartet at University of Calgary, the quartet regularly works and performs with guest students, pianists, wind and string players and singers. Along with the traditional classical repertoire the quartet includes in its concerts klezmer and other Eastern European folk music, arranged for string quartet by Edmond Agopian. At present the quartet members are professor Edmond Agopian (violin), Theresa Lane (violin), Beth Root Sandvoss (cello), and Dean O'Brien (viola).