Ensembles

Playing and singing with other musicians is one of the great thrills and joys of music-making! The Music School of Delaware offers instrumental and vocal ensembles from chamber groups to large ensembles for children, teens and adults at every level.
For a complete list of lessons, classes and ensembles, download the 2010-2011 Information Guide:


ENSEMBLES 2010-2011

Introduction

Wilmington Branch
•   Chamber Music & Small Ensembles
•   Orchestral Ensembles
•   Choral Ensembles
•   Pike Creek Satellite Location
•   Ensemble Auditions

Milford Branch
•   Small Ensembles
•   Choral Ensembles

Policies & Information


Make music together

Playing and singing with other musicians is one of the great thrills and joys of music-making!  The Music School of Delaware offers instrumental and vocal ensembles from chamber groups to large ensembles for children, teens and adults at every level. Directors focus on developing each ensemble within an age-appropriate educational framework, guiding participants to learn about blend, balance, stylistic accuracy and expressive content, while also providing performance opportunities throughout the year.

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Wilmington Branch

Plus satellite location in Pike Creek


CHAMBER MUSIC & SMALL ENSEMBLES


CHAMBER MUSIC
Youth & adults (Music School faculty)
Wednesdays & Saturdays or as arranged, 60 minutes per week
Fall semester starting October 13/16
Spring semester starting February 16/19
A staple of classical music, chamber music allows musicians at intermediate or advanced levels to hone their ensemble skills. Students may request assignment to a chamber music ensemble or enroll with pre-existing partners.  Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition with coordinator; see audition info below
ENROLLMENT: One or both semesters
TUITION: Per 10-week semester:
2 students: $292 per person
3+ students: $239 per person

CELLO CHOIR
12 years to adults (Jennifer Crowell Stomberg)
Saturdays, time TBA
Biweekly starting September 25
Focusing on intermediate and advanced repertoire spanning the musical spectrum from Baroque to popular, the ensemble meets biweekly with performance opportunities throughout the year. Pike Creek section available.
PREREQUISITE: Consent of the instructor; strong reading and ensemble skills; younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $148 per 8-class semester (biweekly)

FLUTE CHOIR
Grades 5 to 9 or any flutist at the intermediate level (Dr. Paula Nelson)
Tuesdays, 6:15-7:00 p.m.
Starting September 21
This ensemble offers intermediate flute students a fun and supportive environment for developing ensemble skills—including listening, tuning, blending, breathing and following a conductor—while also improving technique, tone and sight-reading ability.  Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Telephone interview with instructor or recommendation of private teacher
ENROLLMENT: One or both semesters
TUITION: $223 per 15-week semester

ADULT FLUTE ENSEMBLE
Adults 18 years and up (Dr. Paula Nelson)
Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Starting September 22
Exploring music in a variety of styles, this ensemble offers the upper-intermediate to advanced adult flutist the enjoyment of making music with others, along with the opportunity to hone technical and ensemble skills toward the goal of an expressive performance.  One or two public performances per semester.
PREREQUISITE: Telephone interview with instructor or recommendation of private teacher
ENROLLMENT: One or both semesters
TUITION: $189 per 10-week semester

GUITAR & MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA
10 years to adults  (Christopher Braddock)
Mondays, 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Starting September 20
Accustomed to playing alone, guitarists often overlook the importance of developing ensemble skills. Using a diverse repertoire of classical, jazz, folk and pop music scored for two or more instruments, this ensemble helps guitarists learn to play music with other musicians while also reinforcing good practice habits and providing a basic introduction to music theory and history. In addition, playing mandolin is a great way for violinists and violists to add new flavor to their music-making, as the instrument is essentially a violin with frets. Students have opportunities to compose original pieces for the group and to improve their improvisational skills.  Open to acoustic and electric guitarists, as well as mandolin players and bass guitarists.
PREREQUISITE: Consent of the instructor; enrollment in private study
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $205 per 16-week semester
MATERIALS: To be purchased by student

JAZZ COMBO
14 to 18 years (Christopher Braddock)
Tuesdays, 7:15-8:45 p.m.
Starting November 9
Open to all instrumentalists, this ensemble focuses on small group playing in a variety of jazz styles, including standards and ballads, New Orleans parade tunes, bossa nova, klezmer, funk and jazz-rock fusion.  Students will be coached on improvisation and part-writing and will play a central role in determining the arrangements of the songs and selecting music. Local jazz authorities and luminaries will be invited to work with the Jazz Combo throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year, beginning after marching band season
TUITION: Fall: $149 for 8-week semester; Spring: $279 for 15-week semester 

SELECT CHAMBER CHOIR
14 to 18 years (Dr. Michael Larkin)
Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Starting September 29
An auditioned chamber choral ensemble of 8 to 12 members selected from the larger Select Choral Ensemble.  Repertoire includes great choral chamber music ranging from the Renaissance madrigal to quality arrangements of contemporary popular music and jazz.
PREREQUISITE: Consent of the instructor; enrollment in Select Choral Ensemble
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $95 per 16-week semester

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ORCHESTRAL ENSEMBLES


ORCHESTRAL PREP FOR STRINGS
9 to 13 years (Gwen Fuller)
Mondays, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Starting September 20
Learning to play in an ensemble is crucial for string players! This class/ensemble strengthens the skills traditional and Suzuki students have already acquired from their music studies through rhythm exercises, note-reading studies, tuning practice and listening studies, as well as performance opportunities and side-by-side rehearsals. A great preparation for the Delaware Youth Orchestra!
PREREQUISITE: Consent of the instructor; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $146 per 15-week semester

DELAWARE YOUTH ORCHESTRA
9 to 15 years (Christina von Duyke)
Saturdays, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Starting September 25 for strings or November 13 for winds/brass/percussion
Expand your musical experience! This training orchestra prepares young musicians for the large ensemble experience through a repertoire of light classics and popular music. Students learn ensemble and listening skills and social interaction through playing with others in sectional and full rehearsals.  Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition; see audition info below; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: Fall: $216 for 15-week semester (strings) or $115 for 8-week semester (winds/brass/percussion); Spring: $216 for 15-week semester

DELAWARE YOUTH SYMPHONY
14 to 18 years (Dr. Michael Larkin)
Mondays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Starting September 20 for strings or November 8 for winds/brass/percussion
Build your orchestral repertoire! This performance-oriented orchestra helps students develop ensemble and listening skills through appropriate classical works and “pops” literature, with an emphasis on style, tone, phrasing and articulation, as well as strategies for good ensemble intonation and balance. Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition; see audition info below; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: Fall: $288 for 15-week semester (strings) or $154 for 8-week semester (winds/brass/percussion); Spring: $288 for 15-week semester

WILMINGTON COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
Adults 18 years and up (Dr. Timothy Schwarz)
Mondays, 7:30-10:00 p.m.
Starting September 13
Are you a music enthusiast? This accomplished amateur ensemble performs music from the standard symphonic and concerto repertoire, with four concerts throughout the year. Featured soloists include Music School faculty members, acclaimed guest artists and winners of the orchestra’s annual Concerto Competition for Young Musicians.
PREREQUISITE: Individual placement assessment; call for appointment; seating assignments determined through voluntary auditions
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year (schedule determined by conductor)
TUITION: None

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CHORAL ENSEMBLES


WILMINGTON YOUTH CHORALE
Grades 2 to 4 (Marybeth Miller)
Thursdays, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Starting September 23
A first choral experience for children with unchanged treble voices. Young singers will develop and improve singing skills while learning basic musicianship through engaging, age-appropriate repertoire. Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition; see audition info below; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $209 per 16-week semester

DELAWARE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
Grades 5 to 8 (Marybeth Miller)
Wednesdays, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Starting September 22
This premier children’s choir, for students with some choral or musical experience (unchanged treble voices), uses diverse repertoire to teach musicianship, with an emphasis on sight-singing, ear-training and three- and four-part singing. Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition; see audition info below; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $270 per 16-week semester

SELECT CHORAL ENSEMBLE
Grades 9 to 12 (Dr. Michael Larkin)
Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Starting September 22
Calling all high school singers! This select SATB ensemble focuses on aspects of choral and vocal technique using repertoire from all eras, including some popular music and vocal jazz. Ensemble singing, blend, balance, diction, stylistic accuracy and expressive content are thoroughly explored. Performance opportunities throughout the year; triannual European tour.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition; see audition info below; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $270 per 16-week semester

DELAWARE WOMEN’S CHORUS
Adults 18 years and up (Joanne Ward)
Mondays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Starting September 20
Do you love to sing? This ensemble explores the rich repertoire for women’s voices—including music from all eras, as well as quality arrangements of American musical theatre literature, vocal jazz and popular music—and focuses on choral and vocal technique as it pertains to the female vocal mechanism. Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Individual voice assessment; call for appointment
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $200 per 16-week semester

DELAWARE MEN’S CHORUS
Adults 18 years and up (Dr. Michael Larkin)
Mondays, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Starting September 20
Come and sing! This ensemble explores the rich repertoire for men’s voices—from music of the Renaissance to popular and musical theater music—and focuses on choral and vocal technique as it pertains to the male singing voice. Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Individual voice assessment; call for appointment
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $200 per 16-week semester

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PIKE CREEK SATELLITE LOCATION


CELLO CHOIR
12 years to adults (Jennifer Crowell Stomberg)
Fridays, time TBA
Biweekly starting September 24
Focusing on intermediate and advanced repertoire spanning the musical spectrum from Baroque to popular, the ensemble meets biweekly with performance opportunities throughout the year. Wilmington section available.
PREREQUISITE: Consent of the instructor; strong reading and ensemble skills; younger students may be considered on an individual basis 
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $148 per 8-class semester (biweekly)

Satellite Location Addresses
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ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS

Wilmington Branch only

YOUTH & TEENS
Achievement Week juries (April 11–16, 2011) provide an opportunity for current students to audition for chamber music, large ensembles and summer programs. Additional auditions will take place on the dates below. Call 302-762-1132 to schedule an audition.

Auditions:
Saturday, May 8, 2010, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 5, 2010, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 12, 2010, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 11, 2010, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:00–9:00 p.m.


ADULTS
Call 302-762-1132 to schedule an individual placement assessment with the coordinator or conductor.


Policies & Information
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Milford Branch


SMALL ENSEMBLES


GUITAR & MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA
10 years to adults  (Christopher Braddock)
Wednesdays, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Starting September 22
Accustomed to playing alone, guitarists often overlook the importance of developing ensemble skills. Using a diverse repertoire of classical, jazz, folk and pop music scored for two or more instruments, this ensemble helps guitarists learn to play music with other musicians while also reinforcing good practice habits and providing a basic introduction to music theory and history. In addition, playing mandolin is a great way for violinists and violists to add new flavor to their music-making, as the instrument is essentially a violin with frets. Students have opportunities to compose original pieces for the group and to improve their improvisational skills.  Open to acoustic and electric guitarists, as well as mandolin players and bass guitarists.
PREREQUISITE: Consent of the instructor; enrollment in private study
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $105 per 15-week semester
MATERIALS: To be purchased by student

GARAGE BAND 101
13 to 17 years, intermediate/advanced guitar, bass & drums (Music School faculty)
Day & time TBA
Starting in September
Want to be a rock star? This class introduces students to playing rock music, with an emphasis on rehearsing, working out songs and performing with others. Students will be able to choose songs they would like to learn and will have opportunities to perform throughout the year.  Each section is limited to a maximum of three guitars, one bass and one drum set; additional sections of the class will be added as necessary.
PREREQUISITE: Consent of the instructor; younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $167 per 15-week semester
MATERIALS: To be purchased by student

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CHORAL ENSEMBLES


SELECT YOUTH CHORALE
Grades 9 to 12 (Jennifer McCarthy)
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Starting September 21
Calling all high school singers! This SATB ensemble focuses on aspects of choral and vocal technique using repertoire from all eras, including some popular music and vocal jazz. Ensemble singing, blend, balance, diction, stylistic accuracy and expressive content are thoroughly explored. Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Placement audition, as scheduled; older or younger students may be considered on an individual basis
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $241 per 15-week semester

WOMEN SING! A SELECT VOCAL CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
16 years to adult (Rebecca McDaniel)
Mondays, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Starting September 20
Do you love to sing? This ensemble explores the rich repertoire for women’s voices—including music from all eras and genres—and focuses on solo and small ensemble singing as well as vocal technique. Participants should be comfortable with movement and limited stage production. Performance opportunities throughout the year.
PREREQUISITE: Individual voice assessment; call for appointment
ENROLLMENT: Entire academic year
TUITION: $167 per 15-week semester
MATERIALS: To be purchased by student


Policies & Information
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Programs are made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
 
Programs at The Music School of Delaware