The African Music and Dance Ensemble is the core of the African Music and Dance Performance course (MUSC 0244), for which enrolled students get one (1) credit. The Ensemble gives students with or without a musical background a rich, hands-on experience with numerous East African (Ugandan) music and dance cultures through regular rehearsals and fall/spring end-of-semester concerts. For further information about the Ensemble, please contact Dr. Damascus Kafumbe at dkafumbe@middlebury.edu

Chamber Music at Middlebury College 

The department fosters the creation of chamber music groups on campus by offering coaching and performance opportunities. Students who want to play in a chamber music ensemble are required to audition, in order to ensure placement in an appropriate group. Chamber music groups are offered free coaching by the music department’s applied faculty. Schedules will be designed around the availability of the students in each group, and participating students will be asked to commit to attending at least eight coachings during the semester and to practicing individually to master their own parts. Middlebury College Chamber Music placement is open to pianists and to players of all orchestral instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Questions: Andrew Massey, amassey@middlebury.edu

The Music Department offers one performing chamber music course during the 2013-14 academic year:

MUSC 0240 Performing Chamber Music (Spring 2014)
In this course for intermediate to advanced performers we will explore the art of collaborative music making in the classical tradition. Students will form small vocal and instrumental ensembles (2–6 players) at the beginning of the semester or may enroll in the course as an established ensemble. Repertoire will be determined in collaboration with instructor. Weekly coaching sessions for each group and master classes for all groups will culminate in at least one end-of-semester performance and writing assignment. In addition to technical performance issues, master classes and readings will consider group dynamics, rehearsal techniques, and interpersonal aspects of musical collaboration. Although previous chamber music experience is not required, students should be experienced performers of notation-based music. 3 hrs. lect./disc. ART (Staff)

The  Orchestra is open to all members of the Middlebury Community. The first phase consists of open rehearsals, in which all are invited to participate, at which there is a wide variety of repertoire to read and try out during these rehearsals. From this process, an orchestra and specific repertoire emerges. All players for the concert must be able to commit to the 5 rehearsals leading up to it. If you would like to participate, and to receive full detailed information, contact the conductor, Andrew Massey. amassey@middlebury.edu

Click here to hear a segment of Eroica, performed by the Orchestra January 23, 2010:

The Middlebury College Orchestra is a full symphony orchestra, that offers several concerts each academic year. The orchestra is open to all members of the Middlebury Community, and also interested players in the wider central Vermont area.

Membership is by audition; all positions are open as the year begins. Full details below. 

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Rehearsal Schedule

Generally, full orchestra rehearsals take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 9 pm.

Details of each concert and its rehearsals, and rehearsal details for each week, will be posted to the web page, and circulated by email.

Questions: Andrew Massey - amassey@middlebury.edu 

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Each year the Beucher Concerto Competition is held, choosing a member of the Middlebury College Community to appear as soloist with the orchestra during the Spring Semester. There was no 2013-14 Beucher Concerto Competition