Performance Ensembles | Department of Music

Wind Ensemble - MUS 263
Wednesday Evenings

Conducted by Justin Stolarik
justin.stolarik@stonybrook.edu

The Stony Brook Wind Ensemble performs contemporary and traditional wind repertoire of the highest quality, and comprises wind and percussion student musicians from across campus. Members represent undergraduate and graduate music and non-music majors.

University Orchestra
(MUS 262- undergraduate & MUS 599-T18 - graduate)
Tuesday Evenings

Conducted by Susan Deaver
susan.deaver@stonybrook.edu

About
The University Orchestra is an undergraduate orchestra comprised of 70 to 75 students. They present two concerts each semester at the Staller Center. Past repertoire has included Beethoven Symphony No. 3 and No. 7, Brahms Symphony No. 2 and No. 4, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 and No. 5, Dvorak Symphony No. 8 and No. 9 "New World", Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and other major orchestral repertoire including overtures and concertos. It is a very diverse orchestra made up of both music majors and minors, as well as qualified non-majors who have been involved in music in their high schools, music festivals and youth orchestras.

Meeting Time
Tuesday Evenings from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (New Rehearsal Time)
Room 0111, Music Building

Audition Information for all New and Continuing Orchestral Students
Auditioning students should send a link to their audition video (upload to “unlisted” YouTube) and email the link to Susan Deaver, conductor of the University Orchestra at susan.deaver@stonybrook.edu.

Google link to upload your audition video is: https://forms.gle/qFT5d73pi5h4fNNr5

Audition Video Requirements
Limit video to five minutes or less and submit your video two weeks before the beginning of the semester. Include two short contrasting sections of a solo or concerto of your choice OR two contrasting orchestra excerpts from www.orchestraexcerpts.com.

Jazz Big Band Ensemble - MUS 264
Monday Evenings

Jazz Combos - MUS 267 (Tuesday evenings)
or MUS 289 (Wednesday evenings)

Beginning Improvisation - MUS 189 (Wednesday evenings)

Directed by Ray Anderson ray.anderson@stonybrook.edu
and Thomas Manuel thomas.manuel@stonybrook.edu

JAZZ AUDITIONS
Everyone is welcome to register for the classes but you must audition to participate. Sign up for an audition time on the sheets will be posted outside the Music Office (3304, Music Building, Staller Center). Thursday and Friday, Jan. 26 and 27, 2023

SMALL JAZZ COMBOS
As much as possible, this course will be run just like a rehearsal for a band performance. We will be covering a wide range of music with an emphasis on the interplay between the group and the individual. Knowledge of the music’s history and an understanding of the African-American culture that gave birth to Jazz, is essential to understanding the music, and to that end there will be some assigned reading.

LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE (THE BLOWAGE)
As much as possible, this course will be run just like a rehearsal for a band performance. We will be covering a wide range of music. Primary emphases are on section and whole band blend and sound, as well as individual creativity and expression inside of the group. We will be exploring the essential jazz tension between composition and improvisation. We have a concert at the end of each semester.

MUS 189 BEGINNING JAZZ IMPROVISATION
In this course you will learn to play jazz by practicing daily on your instrument and playing in class. Harmony, melody, phrasing, rhythm and the study of the African-American roots of jazz will be included.

Stony Brook Chorale - MUS 261
Monday evenings

Camerata Singers - MUS 271
Wednesday Evenings

Conducted by Shoshana Hershkowitz
shoshana.hershkowitz@stonybrook.edu

Stony Brook Chorale and Camerata Singers will hold in-person auditions the first Monday and Wednesday of the semester. You can audition on either day for either ensemble. Only one audition is necessary. Sign up here using your Stony Brook email.

Placement in the Chorale is guaranteed, this audition is simply to place singers in the correct voice part. Returning members do not need to re-audition. All new members should prepare any song that they are comfortable singing unaccompanied.

Singers must audition for placement in Camerata Singers, where space is limited. Singers should prepare a song to sing unaccompanied. Singers will also be asked to sight read in the audition. In the interest of safety, singers are required to be vaccinated. Our goal is to make music together in person, while keeping public health paramount.

West African Drumming and Dance - MUS 235 and MUS 335
Thursday Evenings

Conducted by JB Gnonlonfoun
hulengansodji.gnonlonfoun@stonybrook.edu

VOLTA, Stony Brook's West African Music ensemble, is made up of students from MUS 235 (Thursdays 4:45pm-6:30pm) and Music 335 (Thursday 6:30pm-8:15pm). The ensemble performs music from southern Togo, Ghana and Benin. Students learn the history related to each piece they will perform for the concert and learn to play authentic instruments (drums, bells and rattles), sing, and dance. The semester-end concert features African guest artists. No audition required.

Undergraduate Chamber Music - MUS 391
Meeting times based on members' schedules

Directed by Joanna Kaczorowska
Joanna.Kaczorowska@stonybrook.edu

Here's your opportunity to play the beautiful repertoire of chamber music while working with our outstanding doctoral students. Learn about chamber music repertoire, develop rehearsal skills and the performance techniques that lead to the successful preparation and performance of chamber music. Through weekly rehearsals and coachings, all participants will learn to prepare a piece of music or a group of pieces for the final performance in the Staller Center. To be considered for placement, please prepare two different pieces in two different styles from two different composers. Record yourself, upload to Youtube (unlisted) and send the link to joanna.kaczorowska@stonybrook.edu.

Undergraduate Performance Ensembles