The Department of Music at Brock, part of the Marilyn I Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, offers a full and rich calendar of musical events through the academic year. Taking place in the Walker School and the adjacent FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St Catharines, our musical activities are a cornerstone of the University’s cultural profile in the Niagara region. We offer several academic degrees in Music, and music making is an integral part of our courses.
Ensembles – experience the buzz of group music making at its very best!
As a Brock student it is possible to sing or play in an ensemble, either for recreation or for credit. Members of the community are also encouraged to audition for an ensemble.
Ensembles run from September to April, with an informal audition in late August or early September. Each ensemble requires a commitment of 3 hours a week rehearsal for both terms, with participation in a concert at the end of each term. Rehearsals are normally held in the Recital Hall in the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Please read below for further details.
The following ensembles are available to all Brock students by audition:
Instrumental Ensembles
• Wind Ensemble (MUSI 1-2-3-4P84): rehearsals Tuesdays 7:00-10:00pm
• String Orchestra (MUSI 1-2-3-4P86): rehearsals Wednesdays 7:00-10:00pm
• Jazz Ensemble (MUSI 1-2-3-4P78): rehearsals Mondays 7:00-10:00pm
For details on any of the instrumental ensembles contact music@brocku.ca
- This is a unique opportunity to concentrate on various aspects of instrumental playing that we don’t often have time for, such as reinforcing individual skills, developing technique, building solid rhythm concepts, improving sight-reading, intonation, balance etc.
- Strengthening our listening skills through video examples of top performers and analyzing standard Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble repertoire.
- Creating individual portfolios. This may include working with younger students, creating a soundtrack on your instrument, interviewing conductors, professional players and faculty members, or creating audition repertoire.
- Interacting and working with professional guest musicians and clinicians, participating in virtual sectional rehearsals and masterclasses as well as mock auditions will be integral components of both ensembles.
- Individual music preparation, recordings, and submitting parts of specific repertoire that will culminate in virtual performances at the end of each term as an outcome of all the hard work.
In the past few years we have built an incredibly strong connection with our loyal audience. It is our mandate to show them that we are here to stay and are making a conscientious effort to provide them with high level performances.
Music 1-2-3 P78 Jazz Ensemble Mondays 7:00-10:00
Music 1-2-3-4 P84 Wind Ensemble Tuesdays 7:00-10:00
Brock music majors can register for the ensembles now, but please know that your place is not guaranteed until you pass an audition.
Non-music majors will be granted permission to register for the courses following a successful audition.
Brock music majors can register for the ensembles now, but please know that your place is not guaranteed until you pass an audition.
Non-music majors will be granted permission to register for the courses following a successful audition.
Audition information for Wind Ensemble will be posted sometime in August, and these normally occur during the first rehearsal which is the first Tuesday of classes, 7-10pm at the Recital Hall in the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Please email Zoltan Kalman at zkalman@brocku.ca if more information is needed.
Audition requirements
Please prepare two short contrasting pieces/movements, (five minutes each in length, preferably slow and fast works) that will demonstrate the lyrical aspect of your playing as well as your technical skills.
Also, I will ask you to play a few scales. To prepare, please practice all major and harmonic minor scales, both slurred and tongued in 16th. notes at the speed of quarter=78.
The Brock University String Orchestra is a training ground for string students at Brock and a community orchestra for the general music community in Niagara.
Rehearsals will run on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 10:00, with groups A, B and C, alternating with discussions on the wider string orchestra repertoire and sectionals. Registered music students will be invited to perform leadership roles within the orchestra.
Email Conductor George Cleland gcleland@brocku.ca