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Art Gallery showcases work by Tony Rosati | more
Choral concert celebrates Clarence Miller | more
Princeton Review Names Rowan University a "Best in the Northeast" college | more
Concert Band Pops Concert highlights student conductors | more
String Ensemble hosts international guest | more
- Concert Band
John Pastin
Conductor
The Rowan University Concert Band rehearses twice each week. This ensemble is open to music majors, non-music majors, exceptional high school students (with recommendation from their high school band director and acceptance by the university director), and community musicians who wish to hone their performance skills. This ensemble was designed to serve as a musical training experience for players who are not quite ready for the ambitious demands placed upon members of the Rowan University Wind Ensemble.
Listen to the Concert Band
- University Orchestra
Salvatore Scarpa
Artistic Director, Conductor
This full-sized orchestra performs concerts of the standard repertoire, Young Peoples Concerts, and a Pops concert. The group also sponsors an annual soloist competition and the New Jersey High School Orchestra Festival each spring. Membership is open to University students and members of the community by audition.
- Contemporary Music Ensemble
Dr. Harold Oliver
Director
This ensemble performs selections ranging from experimental concepts on the "cutting edge" to more traditional contemporary repertoire as well as improvisation. It also features premiers of works by Rowan student composers.
- Wind Ensemble
John Pastin
Conductor
The Wind Ensemble performs two key functions. It prepares instrumentalists for the professional world of large ensemble performance and future teachers in the concepts of band repertoire and performance. During the 75-minute rehearsal three times per week, the director demonstrates standard rehearsal techniques used throughout the profession. Wind Ensemble challenges students and introduces them to standard repertoire as well as new music written for symphonic bands. The focus of the Wind Ensemble is the exploration of university-level repertoire of serious artistic merit. Two concerts per semester provide students with a large and varied body of music requiring the highest level of artistry. Membership is determined by auditions held annually at the start of the fall semester.
- Percussion Ensemble
Dean Witten
Director, Conductor
Consisting of percussion majors, this ensemble is one of the most active music organizations on campus. Recent tours have included the Eastman School of Music, the University of Delaware, Penn State University, and Queens College (NYC) as well as frequent visits to local public schools. The group has recorded five CDs and regularly commissions new music.
- Guitar Ensemble
Joeseph Mays
Director
The guitar program has been an important part of the music department since 1972. Rowan guitar students may also study early instruments such as the lute, the vihuela de mano and the mandolin. The guitar ensemble performs works for guitar trio, quartet, and larger groups.
- String Ensemble
George Atanasiu
Director
The String Ensemble offers a specialized performing opportunity for those playing the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. No audition is necessary and all Rowan students and members of the community who have had string experience may participate. The String Ensemble is also a credit-bearing General Education course.
- Concert Choir
Dr. Z. Randall Stroope
Conductor
This exciting 48-voice Rowan University CONCERT CHOIR prepares singers for professional conducting, teaching and singing careers that involve choral ensemble performance. The choir also caters to non-music majors who have a background in high school choral music and want to be a part of a dynamic collegiate ensemble. During the 50-minute rehearsals, four times per week singers are exposed to rehearsal techniques, voice building concepts and repertoire appropriate to a variety of styles and historical periods. The focus is on teaching and artistry, and three season concerts each year provide singers an opportunity to demonstrate their musicianship to large audiences (Meets MTWR 1:45-2:45).
The choral area has a rich history of dynamic leadership, including Prof. Clarence Miller, Dr. Eugene Simpson, Dr. Lourin Plant, Dr. Robert Page, and Prof. Doralene Davis. Z. Randall Stroope became Director of Choral Studies in 2006, and is continuing and expanding the Concert Choir tradition and artistry that has been a part of the dynamic ensemble for over 50 years.
Auditions are held three times a year. Contact Dr. Stroope (stroope@rowan.edu) for audition times and information.
Fall 2007-Fall 2008 Performances
Friday, October 19, 2007—"POSTCARDS"—The Rowan Concert Choir, Statemen and WOCHO (women's chorus) join together in a concert of music from all over the worlds, including Sweden, Germany, Japan, Africa, Norway, England, United States, Canada and other locales. Pfleeger Concert Hall, Rowan University, 8:00 pm.
Saturday, December 8, 2007—"AN ENGLISH HOLIDAY WITH SIR DAVID WILLCOCKS"—International conductor and composer Sir David Willcocks will conduct the Rowan University Concert Choir in a historic concert in beautiful Pfleeger Hall on the Rowan campus. Willcocks was the Director of the Royal College of Music in London, the London Bach Choir, and Organist/Choirmaster at King's College, England.
Saturday, April 4, 2008—"AN EVENING WITH MORTEN LAURIDSEN"—Acclaimed California composer Morten Lauridsen comes to the Rowan campus and presents, with Concert Choir, a concert of American music. (Pfleeger Concert Hall, Rowan University, 8:00 pm).
May 17-26, 2008—"VIVA ITALIA!" Concert Choir travels to Italy, with performances at the Vatican and other important sights.
September 26-27, 2008: CLARENCE MILLER MEMORIAL CONCERT—A wonderfully colorful evening of orchestral and choral works to celebrate the life of Concert Choir's longest serving conductor - Mr. Clarence Miller.
December 6, 2008: MESSIAH, George Frederic Handel, featuring the Rowan Concert Choir, soloists and the Rowan University Orchestra. Pfleeger Concert Hall.
CONCERT CHOIR will also be recording a compact disc during the 2008-2009 season. Details to follow.
- Women's Chorus
Dr.Z. Randall Stroope, Conductor
Director of Choral Studies
The Rowan WOMEN'S CHORUS is a dynamic ensemble focused on treble choir literature, healthy vocal production, music reading and a cohesive, friendly learning environment. Women's Chorus (or "Wocho" [woh-koh]) rehearses twice a week and is a non-auditioned group open to all female students, faculty and staff. The group performs three concerts each season in the beautiful Pfleeger Concert Hall. There is no requirement for music reading to become a part of WOCHO, but only a willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic and fun group of Rowan women.
Contact Dr. Stroope (stroope@rowan.edu) for information.
Fall 2007 - Fall 2008 Season
Friday, October 19, 2007—"MUSICAL POSTCARDS"—The Rowan Concert Choir, Statemen and WOCHO (women's chorus) join together in a concert of music from all over the worlds, including Sweden, Germany, Japan, Africa, Norway, England, United States, Canada and other locales. Pfleeger Concert Hall, Rowan University, 8:00 pm.
Sunday, December 2, 2007—"DANCING DAY—A Musical Holiday Gift"—WOCHO (Women's chorus) and STATESMEN perform a concert of large and small works, including "Testament of Freedom" (Thompson), "Dixit Dominus" (Galuppi), "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" (Gardner) and many others! Boyd Recital Hall, Rowan University, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008—"DIVAS, DIVOS AND DESSERTS"—A wonderful concert featuring the men's and women's choruses, AND at intermission - first class desserts from all of the world!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008—"A HOLIDAY FANFARE"—WOCHO and Statemen join forces with brass, harp, and percussion for a colorful holiday expression through music. Boyd Recital Hall.
- Men's Chorus
Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, Conductor
Director of Choral Studies
The STATESMEN Men's Chorus is the newest ensemble in the Rowan Vocal Division. Men from across campus and beyond are members of this dynamic arts ensemble. Interesting and exciting music is performed each semester in Boyd Recital Hall and Pfleeger Concert Hall. This ensemble focuses on music fundamentals, score reading, and techniques to improve the singing voice. There is no audition for this ensemble, and both music and non-music majors are invited to join. There is no requirement for music reading to become a part of the STATESMEN, but only a willingness to learn and be a part of a dynamic and fun group at Rowan. A lot of learning about music and performance will take place once you are in the ensemble.
Contact Dr. Stroope (stroope@rowan.edu) for information.
Fall 2007 - Fall 2008 Season
Friday, October 19, 2007—"MUSICAL POSTCARDS"—The Rowan Concert Choir, Statemen and WOCHO (women's chorus) join together in a concert of music from all over the worlds, including Sweden, Germany, Japan, Africa, Norway, England, United States, Canada and other locales. Pfleeger Concert Hall, Rowan University, 8:00 pm.
Sunday, December 2, 2007—"DANCING DAY—A Musical Holiday Gift"—WOCHO (Women's chorus) and STATESMEN perform a concert of large and small works, including "Testament of Freedom" (Thompson), "Dixit Dominus" (Galuppi), "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" (Gardner) and many others! Boyd Recital Hall, Rowan University, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008—"DIVAS, DIVOS AND DESSERTS"—A wonderful concert featuring the men's and women's choruses, AND at intermission - first class desserts from all of the world!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008—"A HOLIDAY FANFARE"—WOCHO and Statemen join forces with brass, harp, and percussion for a colorful holiday expression through music. Boyd Recital Hall.
- Opera Company
Professor Marian Stieber
Director
The Rowan University Opera Company is a performance ensemble of the Department of Music directed by Professor Marian Stieber. The company originated with the Hollybush Opera Festival of the 1970's and maintains a membership of about 40 members. The company presents fully-staged productions with orchestra every April, and then an opera scenes program in November. The Rowan Opera Company is committed to bringing quality productions to the University community as well as to the surrounding community of South Jersey.
THE MAGIC FLUTE—presented April 18-20, 2008 at beautiful Pfleeger Concert Hall on the Rowan University campus. Total membership in the cast is over 90 performers, fully costumed and accompanied by orchestra! Mr. Jon Garrison, faculty member at Rowan (and who played "Tamino" in the Metropolitan Opera performance of "The Magic Flute") is directing the show.
- Jazz Ensemble
Program coordinator
Douglas Mapp
Ensemble Directors
Denis DiBlasio
Douglas Mapp
Tom Giacabetti
Jim Miller
George Rabbai
The Small Jazz Ensembles provide students with an opportunity to put into practice all of the skills they learn in private lessons, theory, composition, arranging, and improvisation classes. These groups provide a unique opportunity for intensive training in jazz performance under highly acclaimed musicians. The ensembles perform concerts on and off campus and serve as supporting ensembles to the Jazz Band and Lab Band.
- Lab Band
Denis DiBlasio
Director
Like many other highly selective jazz schools in the country, Rowan University has a unique group termed the Lab Band. The Rowan University Lab Band is a one-of-a-kind group consisting of three or four saxes, two trumpets, two trombones, a bassoon, a French horn, a flute, and a rhythm section. All of the Lab Band's music is written specifically for the group by faculty and students. The Lab Band stresses small and large ensemble concepts including extensive improvisation. It performs regularly on and off-campus and often features outstanding student compositions and arrangements.
- Pep Band
John Pastin
Conductor
A small electronic ensemble of rhythm section and horns, the Pep Band - a jazz fusion/funk band, performs from September through March at home football and basketball games, at Homecoming, and for some spring term activities as announced by the director. Students can receive work-study credit from the Executive Vice President/Provost. Membership is by audition only.
- Jazz Band
George Rabbai
Director
The Rowan University Jazz Band is an ensemble cast in the traditional big band model trailblazed by greats like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Stan Kenton. The Jazz Band performs much of the traditional big band repertoire as well as contemporary works. Jazz Band rehearsals emphasize preparation for performances, ensemble playing, and sight-reading.
- Brass Ensemble
- Collegium Musicum
- Clarinet Choir
- Flute choir
- Saxophone Ensemble
- Trumpet Ensemble
We also support new, emerging ensembles as our faculty and students work together to develop professional techniques and skills as well as enriching performance opportunities for the community.
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