2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog - Westminster College

20 / Westminster College
The Concert Choir, a select mixed ensemble of 50 students, performs on and off
campus. The Chamber Singers is a select mixed ensemble of 16 students, which
sings repertoire intended for smaller ensembles, such as madrigals, motets and
vocal jazz. The Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus are open to all students and
sing a wide variety of literature. An Opera Workshop is also offered for those with
interest, combining students and community members.
THE COLLEGE
The Titan Marching Band is an ensemble of between 100-120 musicians and band
fronts including danceline and colorguard. The marching band performs for all
home football games and for three to four high school marching band festivals or
competitions throughout western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. A band camp is
held before the academic year begins.
The Symphonic Band, an ensemble of between 80-90 musicians, is curricularly
attached to the marching band (for credit) in the first semester (marching band
through early November transforming to symphonic band for remaining semester
and all of the second semester). This ensemble is open to all with instrumental
experience and performs some of the finest established and new literature for large
ensembles.
The Wind Ensemble is the top instrumental performance ensemble and is selected
through audition. It is an ensemble of between 40-50 musicians (depending upon
required instrumentation for literature being performed). This ensemble has twice
been selected as a guest performance ensemble for the P.M.E.A. State Conference
(2004, 2009). It performs literature of the highest musical and intellectual
challenge, has premiered works and had seminars by highly regarded composers
from throughout the nation.
Jazz Ensemble musicians are also chosen through audition. This ensemble is
based upon the standard “Big Band” instrumentation (five saxes, four trombones,
five or six trumpets and rhythm section). The Jazz Ensemble, which has featured
numerous faculty and professional musicians, performs three major concerts per
year. It also performs for various area jazz festivals and other functions both on
and off campus.
The Westminster College Orchestra performs works for both full orchestra and
chamber groups. It is open to all string players, although wind musicians must
audition. The orchestra performs three to four concerts per year on campus, offering
a wide variety of repertoire to its musicians.
Westminster also offers a wide variety of chamber music opportunities: Flute
Choir, Woodwind Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, Brass Ensemble, Horn Ensemble,
Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Keyboard Ensemble, Handbell Choir. A
pit orchestra is also needed for the bi-annual all-campus musical.
Westminster supports its music activities with excellent physical facilities. Will
W. Orr Auditorium, which seats 1,722, has a four-manual Moeller organ and
two Steinway D Concert Grand pianos. W. Charles Wallace Memorial Chapel,
site of the weekly Vesper services, contains a three-manual Moeller organ and a