Ensembles

FACULTY ENSEMBLES

The Lafayette String Quartet

"...the Lafayette's Schubert was a triumph of technique and musicianship in the service of emotional communication." (The Indianapolis News) "...the Lafayette also have a subtle grasp of rhythmic inflexion, which gives their performance an inner resilience and momentum to go with its warm and strongly profiled expression." (GRAMOPHONE)

STUDENT ENSEMBLES

UVic Chamber Singers

Under the direction of Prof. Christopher Butterfield and Dr. Bruce More, this 30-member ensemble performs a wide range of the chamber choir literature, with a specialization in Canadian compositions. The most active touring group in the School, the Chamber Singers have performed extensively in Canada and the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Asia, Cuba and Russia. The Chamber Singers have been prize winners in the CBC Choral Competition and in 2000 participated in a concert and recording which received a Juno award. See also Prima Youth Choir.

UVIC CHORUS

With the University Orchestra, this 200-voice chorus is featured in two concerts each year. Since the Chorus was formed in 1969, the group has performed many of the masterworks for chorus, orchestra, and soloists, including Bach's Mass in b, Verdi's Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Haydn's Creation, Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, the War Requiem of Benjamin Britten, and Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand. All first-year music students sing in the Chorus. Chorus Director is Susan Young. Conductor is János Sándor.

UVIC PHILOMELA WOMEN'S CHOIR

Philomela Women's Choir began in 1994 on an ad hoc basis under the direction of Susan Young. Currently conducted by Dr. Mary Kennedy, Associate Professor of Music Education, and now a credit course, the choir numbers approximately 60 and membership is open to all UVIC students by placement audition. Continuing the original tradition of a 'town and gown' choir, there is also a compliment of members from the community. The choir performs a wide variety of repertoire at their end of semester concerts.

UVic Prima Choir

Founded by conductor Bruce More in 1994, Prima has provided a much needed opportunity for high school and university age students to perform choral music of 5 centuries with their peers in a community choir setting. In addition to 15 seasons in Victoria, they have performed in California, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Transylvania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Italy, Germany, China, Korea and Thailand. They have also performed in Victoria and Vancouver with the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir and each Fall in Victoria with the Victoria Chamber Orchestra PRIMA Youth Choir

UVIC ORCHESTRA

Since its inception in 1969, the Orchestra has performed most of the standard repertoire, including all nine Beethoven symphonies, most of the later compositions of Haydn and Mozart, as well as major works of Brahms, Schubert, Stravinsky, Bruckner, Schoenberg, and others. Each year, members of the orchestra join with performance faculty in an ensemble called the "Concerto Orchestra" to present the annual Concerto Concert, which features student soloists selected by competition. The Orchestra and Concerto Orchestra are conducted by János Sándor.

UVIC WIND SYMPHONY

UVic's Wind Symphony is recognized as one of the premiere performing wind ensembles in the Pacific Northwest. The ensemble is in constant demand to perform at festivals and conferences. Recently, the Wind Symphony represented Canada at the Annual WesternInternational Band Conference in Seattle in November, 2002. As well, the Wind Symphony has been a featured guest ensemble at the B.C. Music Educators' Conference.

The Wind Symphony provides opportunities for all wind and percussion players in the School. Its repertoire includes transcriptions of orchestral works, concerti, chamber ensembles, large symphonic band works and new music for the concert band. The Wind Symphony regularly features student, faculty and guest solo artists, and has given numerous Canadian and world premieres of contemporary works. The director is Dr. Gerald King.

UVIC JAZZ ENSEMBLES

The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra perform a range of works, both old and new, for jazz ensembles. Special guests appearing with the Jazz Ensembles have included many of Canada's outstanding jazz musicians. As with all of the School's larger ensembles, membership is open also to students from outside the School, upon audition. Jazz Ensembles have a large and loyal audience in the community.

UVIC SONIC LAB

Sonic Lab, a contemporary music ensemble is devoted to the performance of music of our time. Recent concerts have included Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire, Varese's Ionization and Octandre, Cage's Atlas Eclipticalis, Kurt Schwitter's Ursonate, and various works by Stockhausen and Steve Reich. Sonic Lab is directed by Christopher Butterfield .

UVIC VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Under the direction of Wendell Clanton, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a company of several groups including Take Note! and UVic Exchange, performing all styles of music. The annual Cabaret showcases a variety of combos, Ellavation (soprano/alto group) and the UVIC Music Theatre Review. Singers develop individual artistry, improvisation and collaborative skills. Auditions are open to all University of Victoria students.