Ensembles
If you are a student in one of our Music programs, ensemble participation is a key element in your performing arts education. Ensembles complement your weekly studio lessons and give you regular opportunities for performance in public concerts. While we don't require elective applied students to join an ensemble, we strongly recommend that they do--the benefits of ensembles to solo practice cannot be overstated.
Many of the ensembles at the Fountain School of Performing Arts are open to students in other programs, as well as community members. If you're looking for a way to stay musically active, please fill out our AUDITION ENSEMBLE FORM and an ensemble director will contact you in late August to let you know how and when the auditions will happen. Details are listed below under each Ensemble.
See the Our Season page for scheduled performances.
DalWind Ensemble
2024 Audition Info:
o DAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and DAL WIND ENSEMBLE
Auditions for Wind and Brass will be held on Wednesday, September 4 from 4:30pm - 10pm, in the Joseph Strug Concert Hall. An audition form will be provided for sign up and will list further information in early August.
Questions: jacob.caines@dal.caThe Dalhousie University Wind Ensemble draws its membership primarily from students in the Fountain School of Performing Arts. It is open to the entire student body regardless of their major field of study, to students of other universities and colleges, and to musicians from the community, by audition.
The FSPAWE performs music from the extensive array of standard and contemporary works for wind ensemble while focusing on creating innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to contemporary and classic wind music. Concerts strive to be unlike any traditional wind ensemble concert and include performance elements from not only the discipline of music, but also dance, theatre, and visual art.
The Wind Ensemble rehearses Wednesdays 4:30 to 6:30 pm in Room 121 of the Dalhousie Arts Centre, plus Friday sectionals from 4:30-5:30. The Wind Ensemble is directed by Jacob Caines. Auditions are held in September. For more details contact jacob.caines@gmail.com
DalChorus
Dalhousie University ChorusDalhousie University Chorus The Dalhousie University Chorus or DalChorus, is a choir for all Dal students. Comprising approximately 40 auditioned voices, members include students from Fountain School, experienced choristers from many other faculties, and even some members from the Halifax community at large. Excellence, innovation, and collaboration are the hallmarks of DalChorus. The chorus normally gives two public performances per year, and repertoire is selected from compositions across many eras and styles, with special attention paid to the work of Canadian composers. Students are encouraged to register for DalChorus as part of an ensembles credit or they can be involved purely for their own enjoyment. If you wish to join the chorus for credit you will be able to register following your successful audition. Rehearsals: Dalhousie Arts Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 pm. Room TBC. Regular attendance at rehearsals is a requirement for success in the chorus. Auditions: Come prepared to sing a short a capella piece of your choosing. You will also be provided with a short piece to sight read. The director may take you through a series of vocal exercises to further assess your range and voice part. Singers will be selected based on choral experience, intonation, and voice part need. Note: Applied voice majors and minors audition separately and must present an accompanied song of their choice. Auditions for applied voice students will be on September 3 from 2:00 – 5:30 in the Joseph Strug Hall; for non-voice students and community members on September 6 from 3:00 – 7:00 in Room 121. Check back here in August for a link to sign-up for your 2024/2025 audition. Questions? Please contact Dr. Nicole Jordan for more information.
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Dalhousie Collegium CantorumThis auditioned choir, directed by Gary Ewer, provides an enjoyable and challenging choral and musical experience for the greater Dalhousie and Halifax singing community. A collaborative venture with the Fountain School of Performing Arts, the choir rehearses and performs major choral works. Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 7:00-9:00 in Room 121 of the Dalhousie Arts Centre. For more information please contact Laurie Ewer. |
Guitar Ensemble
The Dalhousie Guitar Ensemble provides opportunities for guitar majors to refine their ensemble skills. As well as performing in the guitar orchestra, students work in smaller guitar ensembles (occasionally mixing electric and acoustic guitars) and work with other instruments. An extensive repertoire is covered from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
The ensemble meets weekly throughout the academic year and performs on campus and in the community.
The Guitar Ensemble is under the direction of Scott Macmillan.
DalJazz Ensemble
Dalhousie University Jazz EnsembleDirected by Chris Mitchell, the Dalhousie University Jazz Ensemble is made up of between 12 and 18 musicians. Repertoire is extensive and students receive opportunities to refine their ensemble and improvisational skills in a variety of jazz styles. The band meets weekly on Thursdays from 4:30-7:30 pm in Room 121 of the Dalhousie Arts Centre. For more information please contact Chris Mitchell. |
Saxophone QuartetsThe Dalhousie Music Department also features several saxophone quartets: Junior, Intermediate and Senior. With repertoire ranging from rags, to jazz standards to classical transcriptions, these quartets explore a variety of musical disciplines, and offer students ensemble experience not otherwise available to the saxophone player. The senior quartet has performed at official University functions, in concerts, and on tour. The saxophone quartets are under the direction of Chris Mitchell. |
See the events calendar for scheduled performances.
DalOpera
DalOpera offers a rare undergraduate experience in opera education. This intimate program allows Voice students to build their vocal technique while exploring a variety of performance opportunities. Through learning, rehearsing, and performing opera scenes and full-length operas, voice students fully immerse themselves in the highly disciplined and creative process of being a singing-actor. Opera ensemble affords students the opportunity to develop and apply their individual skills to a larger cohesive group; and to create a dynamic, semi-professional environment that fosters broader transferable skills such as collaboration, agency, and accountability. Most importantly, the Fountain school offers a unique opportunity for voice students to collaborate with peer colleagues from the Stage Design and Technical Theatre, and Costume Studies programs.
Please note, this ensemble is only open to voice majors (and minors with special permission) To find out more becoming a music major, please contact performingarts@dal.ca
Also check the Our Season page each fall for information about this season's productions and concerts.
Recent Past Productions have included Mese Mariano, Giordano (2023); La Chanson de Fortunio, (2023);The Cunning Little Vixen, Janáček (2023); A Northern Lights Dream, Rose (2022); Die Fledermaus, J Strauss (2021) Dido and Aeneas, Purcell (2020); Aeneas and Dido, James Rolfe (2020); L'Etoile, Chabrier (2019); The Magic Flute, Mozart (2018); Sweeney Todd, Sondheim (2012); Comedy on the Bridge, Martinů (2011); The Face on the Barroom Floor, Mollicone (2011); Gianni Schicchi, Puccini (2010); Orpheus in the Underworld, Offenbach (2009); and many more!
Check the Our Season page in the fall for information about this season's production.
DalSymphony Orchestra
AUDITIONS
o DALHOUSIE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS:
TBD
Please see: Repertoire Requirements for Strings
Questions: Leonardo.perez@dal.ca
WINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION STUDENTS:
o DAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and DAL WIND ENSEMBLE
TBD
Questions: jacob.caines@dal.ca
The Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra is the only university orchestra in the Atlantic provinces. Primarily a training orchestra, this student ensemble performs approximately three concerts per year with varied repertoire from the Baroque to Contemporary periods. It performs as a full symphonic ensemble and also takes the role of accompaniment for student concerto performances and choral concerts.
The Orchestra rehearses weekly (Tuesdays, 7:00-10:00 p.m.) in Room 121 of the Dal Arts Centre.
Concerts take place on the Dalhousie campus and other venues around Halifax. The orchestra is conducted by Leonardo Perez. For more information please contact Dr. Leonardo Perez.
Percussion Ensemble
Our percussion ensemble is conducted by Mark Morton.
With repertoire ranging from classical transcriptions to contemporary music, from traditional pieces to repertoire with a more modern flavor, this ensemble explores a variety of musical disciplines. It offers students ensemble experience not otherwise available to the percussionist.
The Dalhousie Percussion Ensemble has performed at official university functions, in concerts, and on tour.