Chamber Choir, MUS 563 (class #75891), 1 credit

Tony Thornton, conductor

Rehearsals: MWF 2:30-4:10 PM

Bezanson Recital Hall

2-3 performances each semester

The Chamber Choir, an ensemble of 32-36 singers, is the premier choral ensemble in the Department of Music & Dance. The choir is comprised of music majors and non-majors from the Five Colleges with previous choral experience. Chamber Choir performs significant choral works from all style periods, including masterworks with orchestral accompaniment. The ability to read music is essential. Chamber Choir fulfills the large ensemble requirement for music majors and minors.

University Chorale, MUS 560 (class #75890), 1 credit

Tony Thornton, conductor

Rehearsals: Men - Mondays (7:00-9:00 PM) and selected Wednesdays

                    Women - Wednesdays (7:00-9:00 PM) and selected Mondays

FAC - Room 44

1-2 performances each semester

The University Chorale is a large mixed chorus (men and women) open to all students. Composed of undergraduate and graduate music majors and non-majors, University Chorale performs a wide variety of choral repertoire, including men’s (TTBB) and women’s (SSAA) repertoire, world music, and masterworks with orchestral accompaniment. The ability to read music is not required; open to Five College students with or without previous choral experience. Men are especially encouraged to sign up for a Choral Placement Audition. University Chorale fulfills the large ensemble requirement for music majors and minors.

Recital Choir, MUS 590R (class #79892), 1 credit

MM Choral Conductors

Rehearsals:  TuTh 1:30-2:20 PM

Newman Center

1-2 performances each semester

The Recital Choir is a laboratory chorus whose membership is comprised of the Graduate Choral Conducting majors and other interested advanced students, with the purpose to provide conducting pedagogy experiences for the Graduate Choral Conducting students. The Recital Choir does not fulfill the large ensemble requirement for music majors and minors, however, participation in this ensemble fulfills an elective credit.

Women’s Choir, MUS 562 (class #77133), 1 credit

Marius Bahnean, conductor

Rehearsals:  MWF 12:20-1:10 PM

FAC - Room 44

1-2 performances each semester

Comprised primarily of non-major undergraduate and graduate students, Women’s Choir performs a wide variety of choral literature written for treble voices, including world music and works with instrumental accompaniment. The ability to read music is not required; open to Five College students with or without previous choral experience.

Five College Early Music Collegium, MUS 578 (class #75906), 1 credit

Robert Eisenstein, director

Rehearsals: Tu 7:00-10:00 PM

A small SATB choir, performing Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque music, with opportunities for vocal solos. Students may also participate instrumentally. The Early Music Program has a collection of historical instruments for student use, including viols, baroque violins/viola/cello, lute, medieval instruments such as harp and vielle and psaltery, and Renaissance winds and brass, including sackbuts, dulcians, shawms, recorders, and flutes.

Vocal Jazz Ensemble, MUS 579 (class #75907), 1 credit

Catherine Jensen-Hole, director

Rehearsals: MW 10:10 AM-12:05 PM; F 10:10-11:00 AM

The primary ensemble for vocal jazz studies at UMass Amherst, it has been named "Best Collegiate Jazz Choir" by DownBeat magazine. Consisting of 8-12 singers and a rhythm section that is often augmented by horns, the ensemble performs both standard and contemporary jazz repertoire arranged by faculty, students and nationally recognized vocal jazz arrangers.