Music Ensemble Activities and Opportunities

www.chi.ac.uk/music

This booklet will help you choosefrom the variety of ensembles andopportunities within the musicdepartment, ensemble/workshopleaders have given brief detailsabout some of the activities takingplace.

Please refer to the timetable on thenotice boards in the music blockand on music news, for furtherinformation on times and locationsof the ensemble groups. If youwould like to join an ensemble andare uncertain of how to contact thetutor, please ask Liz, Toni or Jackieat Music Reception.

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Welcome

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Otter Consort Ensemble leader: Arthur Robson and Andréda Silva

This small vocal ensemble is for those who arehighly experienced singers, with sight readingability and a love of choral music both sacredand secular. The repertoire will be extensive andchallenging and will require the members tolearn the music off by heart. There is usually aresidential course planned for reading week(semester 2) in Salisbury, culminating in thesinging of Evensong in Winchester Cathedral.There will also be an international tour in thesummer. Entry is by audition and if you havealready had extensive choral experience youshould contact arthur.robson@chi.ac.uk in orderto arrange a suitable time to be heard.

Chichester Chorale Ensemble leader: Arthur Robson

This is a community choir for a mixed agedgroup, which welcomes students and localenthusiasts from the surrounding area. It givesthree major concerts, one at the end of eachterm plus an Evensong in Chichester Cathedralin October. Membership is through auditionwhich can be arranged by contactingarthur.robson@chi.ac.uk

University Chamber ChoirEnsemble leader: Arthur Robson and André da Silva

Chamber Choir is one of the most challengingvocal ensembles at the University. Therepertoire is extensive and varied. It performsconcerts throughout the year and takes part inthe Christmas Carol Services at ChichesterCathedral and in the Parish Church in BognorRegis, in December. The Choir also tours in thesummer months. If you have had previousexperience of singing in a choir and are use tosight-singing then this ensemble is for you. TheChoir meets three times a week, entry is byaudition and you should contactarthur.robson@chi.ac.uk in order to arrange asuitable time to be heard.

Singers’ Acting Workshop: Opera,Operetta, Musical TheatreEnsemble Leader: Michael PearceAccompanist: Angela Zanders

This workshop gives keen solo singers awonderful opportunity to be involved in stagingand performing scenes from opera, operettaand “legit” musical theatre, both in a solo orensemble capacity. Tutored by internationalbass-baritone Michael Pearce, the group haspreviously performed scenes from works asvaried as Don Giovanni, Die Fledermaus,Sweeney Todd and West Side Story. The firstintroductory session will include informalauditions for new members. Please be preparedto sing a solo with some dramatic content.Please refer to the department timetable forsession days & times.

Vocal

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Musical Theatre ChorusEnsemble leader: Jan Winstone

Music Theatre Chorus provides a newopportunity to sing ensembles from the musictheatre repertoire as well as pop, rock, funk,close harmony and many other popular styles.MTC is an excellent way to increase yourstylistic knowledge and hone your skills inharmony singing, music reading and learning byear. We plan to take short programmes aroundthe region throughout the year. Open to allstudents, following a short informal audition.

First Year Choral ExperienceWorkshop Leader: Arthur Robson and André da Silva

This is a practical session for all year one musicstudents of all persuasions! The emphasis in onhaving fun in learning and reinforcing musicalconcepts and improving the musical brain andmusical memory through the use of the voice.Everyone has a voice and is encouraged to useit. Improve your ability to listen, to read music,and identify chord sequences, rhythmic patternsand melodic shapes. This is musical gymnasticsfor the mind and voice! Vital for all musicians! Ifyou are tentative about your singing voice youwill be amazed at what you can achieve in such ashort time! Dispel your fears and just enjoy theexperience.

Gospel ChoirWorkshop Leader: André da Silva

This is a practical session for anyone interestedin Gospel music and a cappella singing. Therehave been performances in the last year in thecathedral for special services – e.g. Dedicationof the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. What’s requiredis enthusiasm, a desire to sing well, commitmentto the regular rehearsal schedule, and to learnthe music by heart.

Barbara Moore Jazz SessionsEnsemble Leader: Barbara Moore

Songwriting: All composers are invited to thisclass. Please bring either lyrics you have beenworking with or a melodic line/musical exampleof your work to the first session.

Jazz Ensemble: Join Barbara’s new jazzensemble to sing standards and new material.The jazz ensemble will work towards a concertto take place during the last session, which willbe a showcase for the semester’s work. Thegroup will also require a small ensemble ofinstrumentalists: double bass, guitar and sax.

Please see the department posters for furtherinformation

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Symphony OrchestraEnsemble leader: Crispin Ward

Symphony Orchestra is one of the mostprestigious instrumental ensembles at theUniversity. It performs concerts throughout theyear in Chichester Cathedral, the UniversityChapel and in other venues and often tours inthe Summer months. The Symphony Orchestrameet for intensive rehearsals for a short periodbefore concerts rather than a regular weeklymeeting, usually on Sundays during the day andTuesday evenings. The orchestra is supportedby tutors in all sections of the orchestra whoalso take sectional rehearsals. Membership is byaudition.

Chamber OrchestraEnsemble leader: Crispin Ward

Chamber Orchestra is a small ensemble ofbetween 15-17 players who rehearse twice aweek to produce high quality performancesthroughout the year, all over the UK andabroad. This is a big commitment for students asit is a showcase for the whole University and ahigh standard is expected. Repertoire rangesfrom the Baroque to 20th Century, they alsogive students an opportunity to play solo inconcertos. Membership is by audition

Pops OrchestraEnsemble leader: Crispin Ward

Pops orchestra is for any instrumentalist whowants experience of playing in a large ensemble.There are approximately 70 performers andthey explore film music, music from the shows,orchestral rock and pop music. The PopsOrchestra has recently toured the ChannelIslands as well as giving concerts both within theUniversity and at other venues. Entry is open toanyone

SinfoniaEnsemble leader: Crispin Ward

Pit band concentrates on developing anunderstanding of musical theatre performancewithin an instrumental ensemble. All aspects ofplaying in a theatre, in a pit or on stage, areexplored with many opportunities to performand to develop repertoire. The ensemble issometimes employed by outside societies toaccompany their show. One year they appearedon an advert for Ford. Membership is byaudition.

Wind Band Ensemble leader: Suzie Shrubb

Wind Band is for any wind instrumentalist whowants experience of playing in an active livelyensemble. They explore film music, music fromthe shows, symphonic band music and popmusic. The Wind Band has recently toured theChannel Islands as well as giving concerts bothwithin the University and at other venues. Entryis open to anyone.

Orchestras and Bands

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Big BandEnsemble leader: Crispin Ward

The Chichester University Big Band is anopportunity for students to experience this verypopular type of group. They have developedstrong links with several popular amateur bigbands based in the local area and in the pastsome students have helped these bands andhave been paid for doing so. The Big Band is aperfect relaxed way of improving your sightreading skills particularly for players who arekeen on Jazz but might feel their reading is weak,it is also ideal for reading musicians who want totackle improvisation for the first time.Membership is by audition

Sinfonietta Ensemble leader: Adam Swayne

As the most challenging ensemble at theUniversity, Sinfonietta will help you raise yourplaying and ensemble skills to the highestprofessional standards while you learn moreabout new music and have a lot of fun along theway. In annual 'New Music Chi' concerts weperform 21st century works from a broadstylistic basis, and experiment with new pieceswritten by both student and staff composers.Submissions by student composers are welcomeat any time throughout the year.

Formerly known as the Contemporary MusicGroup (CMG), our past performances of worksby John Cage, Michael Nyman and David Byrnereceived coverage in the local press and Tempomagazine, and following an appearance at the2009 Arundel Festival, CMG were invited to jointhe Titanic commemorations in Southampton in2012.

Entry to Sinfonietta is open to anyone thatwants to engage with contemporary music, butis occasionally by audition for our most complexrepertoire. A rehearsal schedule is drawn up atthe beginning of each week and players areexpected to attend the rehearsals as requiredeach Thursday morning. Your rhythmic skills,sight reading, and sense of humour will besignificantly enhanced by Sinfonietta, so do nothesitate to get involved!

Flute ChoirEnsemble leader: Student Led

A brand new ensemble designed to celebrate allthings flute. Playing a range of repertoire, fromclassical through to popular, everyone iswelcome regardless of ability - no auditionnecessary.

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Jazz WorkshopLeader: Nick Reynolds

Jazz workshop takes place on Wednesdayafternoons. Students assemble in MB1 and arethen assigned to groups based on experience /ability level. The jazz tutors then work with theirgroup on a number of pieces during theafternoon, which are then usually showcasedduring Jazz Night. Any music student is welcomeso long as they have a genuine interest indeveloping their jazz skills within a group setting.Any ability level is welcome but commitment isexpected throughout the semester, since spacesare limited. students who have already attendedjazz workshop regularly have automatic placesand we will try to accommodate as many newstudents as possible.

Jazz NightsLeader: Nick Reynolds

Jazz night takes place on Wednesday evenings inMB1. We provide a relaxing atmosphere for anystudents with an interest in jazz, to be able toperform. The evenings are informal with alicensed bar, so you can enjoy a drink or twowhilst listening to the music. Any style of jazz iswelcome and the jazz tutors are always availableto provide a houserhythm section for guestmusicians. Jazz Nights also provide anopportunity for students who have taken part inthe jazz workshops to showcase the pieces thatthey have been working on during theafternoon.

Folk GroupLeader: Nick Reynolds

Folk group takes place on Wednesday mornings.Students assemble in MB3 and then are split intogroups where they can work on pieces whichthey are expected to provide. Any style of folkmusic is encouraged and any ability level iswelcome. The groups have an opportunity todevelop a wide range of pieces and thenperform their set during ‘Folk Night’ which isusually put on towards the end of the semester.Folk groups have also played at local pubs andconcerts over the years. Places are limited andbased on an interview process at the beginningof the semester. Those who are already in thefolk group have automatic places.

Guitar Workshop and BassWorkshop for first yearsLeaders: Dave Smith, Jon Perry and Gary Simons

All first study BMus guitarists and bass guitarists(except first study classical guitarists) willparticipate in a weekly group guitar / bassworkshop. This group work will look at setpieces, commercial skills (sight reading / auraltraining) and technical skills (chords, modes andscales). The skills learned within the weeklyworkshops will be part of the final summativeassessment at the end of semester two. Theguitar workshops will take place in MB2 everyWednesday (starting w/c 30th Sept) from 12 –2. The Bass guitar workshop will be run by tutorGary Simons and will take place in MB4 everyWednesday (starting w/c 30th Sept) from 2 – 3.

Jazz and Folk

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Piano Group Ensemble Leader: Terence Allbright

This is a guided but non-teaching environment inwhich pianists at all levels and stages ofdevelopment can practice their performanceswith a friendly and informed audience of otherpianists. Invaluable if you want regularperforming experience, or if you haveperformance insecurities. Weekly attendance isexpected; all members can play every week, andthere is a group concert towards the end ofeach semester.

Saxophone GroupEnsemble Leader: Spencer Bundy

The Chichester Saxophone Ensemble is a groupwhich is based at the University but open toSaxophone players of the local community,there are no age limits and no auditions. Oftenduring rehearsals there will be a workshop typeelement where they will look at an element ofplaying and discuss ways of improving. Some ofthe repertoire goes up to 16 players so valuableexperience can be gained in the performance ofChamber music in a relaxed and informalmanner. They will also sometimes split intosmaller groups and give people a chance toexplore the ever increasing repertoire forSaxophone quartet. The Saxophone Groupwelcome any wind players who might be lookingfor a way to gain experience performing on theirsecond instrument. They try to perform at leastone concert per semester and in the past haveraised funds for various charities.

Clarinet ChoirEnsemble Leader: Spencer Bundy

The Chichester Clarinet Choir is another windgroup based at the University which is open tothe local community. They use everything fromthe small Eb clarinet up to a Contra Base in Bb.They try to share parts around so thateverybody gets a chance to perform a solo andlead in a chamber size group. During rehearsalsthey will often workshop ideas likeimprovisation and other areas which the otherensembles, due to their size, might not give youthe opportunity to try. It also gives members achance to experiment with arranging forClarinet Choir. The Clarinet Choir is also idealfor saxophone or other wind players to get achance to perform on their second instrument.It would be expected for the Clarinet Choir totake part in at least one concert per semester,usually combined with another of the Ensemblesfrom the University.

Instrumental

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Harpsichord Tuning Course Led by David Pollock

A historically informed, practical course whichstarts from Pythagorean tuning, to introduce theproblems to be solved, and moves throughmeantone temperaments of the Renaissanceand early-Baroque era to the sophisticatedcirculating systems of the late-Baroque.Reference will be made to important sourcetexts, such as Roger North (1726), as well as tomodern research into the temperament used byJS Bach, and David will elucidate the issues withrelevant keyboard music as the courseproceeds. The aim is to equip each participantwith the techniques that he or she requires totune accurately and consistently. For further information please emaild.pollock@chi.ac.uk.

Brass GroupEnsemble Leader: Fraser Tannock

Brass Group is a flexible group, ranging from 3to 12 or more players and covering mostlyoriginal repertoire from renaissance tocontemporary, and styles from orchestral tojazz. In recent years they have given full 12-partsymphonic brass ensemble concerts andperformed Purcell’s Funeral Music with theChamber Choir, as well as providing music anddescants for the annual carol service inChichester Cathedral. Rehearsal sessions offerbrass players an opportunity to fast-track andfine-tune the individual and ensemble skillsneeded in all styles of playing. Entry is open toall brass players

Jonathan Plowright Pianists drop insessions

Our Head of Keyboard, Jonathan Plowright, isparticularly keen to get to know all first studypianists during the year, as well as all other musicstudents who have a keen interest in pianoperformance - in whatever shape or form.Drop in sessions are usually in the Octagon from2pm - 4pm on a Monday afternoon. Thesessions will be on a very informal basis - not aninterview/audition - just a chat about who youare, your particular interests and what youwould like to achieve during your studies here atChichester. Feel free to bring along any musicyou would like to play - whatever state it is in!

Instrumental – continued

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Music Therapy GroupFacilitator: Rod Paton

This group is for anyone who wishes toexperience at first hand the therapeutic effectsof music. Music Therapy is a growing professionand requires many years of study andexperience in order to qualify. This weeklysession provides a practical introduction to howmusic therapy works, what happens in a groupsession and how it is facilitated. Each sessionruns for 50 minutes and includes lots of groupimprovising (the core activity of all musictherapy), using a wide range of percussioninstruments as well as students’ owninstruments. There is also space for reflectionand some discussion of the principles andpractice of professional music therapy. Thewhole process is entirely non-judgmental andthe outcomes are often uplifting as well asrelaxing. The group runs through the whole yearand students are strongly encouraged to committo full attendance in order to reap the maximumbenefit.

Free ImprovisationDirected by Rod Paton

Free Improvisation, or, as it is sometimes called,‘Instant Composing’ is for any student whowants to experience the creative freedom andexcitement of group improvisation with nostylistic limits, no notation and no judgement.The group follows the principles of the‘Lifemusic’ method which states that:

Everyone is musical – there are no wrong notesin music – every sound has a meaning – groupmusic making is an act of mutual trust.

Any voices and instruments are welcome sincethere are no fixed or pre-determinedcombinations and ‘instant access’ percussioninstruments are also available to participants.The group takes a leading role in the annualNovember concert working alongsideprofessional guest musicians and has recentlyalso begun to work alongside dance students.Creative music making in its purest form!

Other groups

Contact Details01243 816185 / 816205 / 816432music@chi.ac.uk

www.chi.ac.uk/musicPlease recycle after use