Our Ensembles

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

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.

See the events calendar for scheduled performances.

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.   

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.

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.