Under
the direction of Dr. Solveig Holmquist,
the Western Oregon University
Concert Choir - 120 to 140 voices
strong - studies and performs
a wide variety of music for large
ensembles, often in divided parts.
In addition to works from all
historic style periods and regions
of the world, the Concert Choir
regularly presents extended choral
masterworks with orchestra, often
featuring student soloists. The
Concert Choir performs a major
concert at the end of each term
and participates in the Oregon
Intercollegiate Choral Festival.
The Chamber Singers,
a highly select ensemble of 24
to 28 students, performs challenging
repertoire for the smaller choir,
ranging from Renaissance madrigals
and Bach motets to newly composed
works. In demand throughout the
region, the Chamber Singers maintain
a rigorous performing and touring
schedule. Among their recent credits
are performances for the Oregon
Music Educators Association, a
Carnegie Hall debut and the preparation
of a CD for the publishing company
Boosey & Hawkes.
Soulstice is the Western Oregon University vocal jazz ensemble led by Dr. Kevin Helppie. Soulstice features 14 singers and a rhythm section. Every other year the group records a CD of selections by nationally-recognized arrangers and WOU students. Soulstice also concertizes with at least one acclaimed solo artist or group each year. In addition, Soulstice performs at schools, community functions and various jazz venues. Soulstice was recently selected as 1 of only 2 jazz ensembles (school category) from the United States to serve as alternates to the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland! It is one of the world's largest festivals with an audience of over 100,000. Performers selected to participate are renowned jazz legends with 12 instrumental and vocal groups chosen from schools around the world. Congratulations Soulstice!!
The Western Oregon University
Department of Music offers a
variety of opportunities for
students to participate in several
chamber ensembles each term.
Standing ensembles include Brass
Quintet, Early Music Consort, Chamber String
Ensemble, Piano Chamber Ensemble,
Percussion Ensemble, New Music Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Trumpet Choir, and Pep Band.
WOU offers many vernacular and jazz chamber ensembles and combos as well, including the Jazz Repertoire Combo, Hemisphere Combo, Singer/Songwriter Combo, and Brazilian Combo. Other ensembles are assembled
as personnel and interest dictate.
Are you a composition or recording engineer major? No problem! At WOU composition majors can obtain ensemble credit by serving as a staff composer/arranger. Recording engineers receive ensemble credit by serving as a recording engineer for select ensembles. It's all a part of the Contemporary Music Degree design at WOU.
Contact Dr. Ike Nail, coordinator, Instrumental Studies.
The wind ensemble is a large, auditioned ensemble that performs contemporary and standard literature for symphonic band, wind ensemble and wind symphony. Featuring woodwind, brass, and percussion performers, the wind ensemble is directed by Dr. Ike Nail.
he Western Hemisphere Orchestra Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Keller Coker, has played for guest artists such as Curtis Salgado, and the Inkspots. In addition to standard repertoire, the band often plays works by Oregon arrangers and composers. Other jazz-related course offerings include improvisation, jazz arranging, and jazz history.
