Performance Ensembles

Boston College Chamber Music Society

Sandra Hebert, director

The Chamber Music Society is an umbrella organization that sponsors numerous small ensembles that include instrumentalists, pianists and vocalists, and is open by audition to all members of the BC community (see ensembles below). Ensembles have the opportunity to work with members of our outstanding performance faculty. Repertoire ranges from early music through the most recent contemporary works in ensembles from two to ten or more musicians. Numerous performances take place throughout the semester.

Instrumental Chamber Music

Sandra Hebert, director

Chamber music groups of two to eight or more players of orchestral instruments as well as classical guitar and piano are included in Instrumental Chamber Music. Each ensemble meets weekly with a coach and also alone for rehearsal. 

Boston College Flute Ensemble

Judy Grant, director

The Flute Ensemble is a group of 6 - 12 flutists that performs throughout the year in conjunction with the Chamber Music Society. In addition to a wide range of flute ensemble repertoire, members also often partner in duos or trios. Through working in both larger and smaller ensembles, students have the opportunity to develop performance and musicianship skills.

For more information, please contact Judy Grant.

Boston College Cello Ensemble

Leo Eguchi, director

The BC Cello Ensemble is a group of 8 - 15 cellists, performing arrangements and original works for multiple cellos. Repertoire ranges from the Baroque through contemporary works, as well as arrangements of rock and jazz classics. The Cello Ensemble performs regularly in conjunction with the Chamber Music Society, and rehearses on Wednesdays.

Auditions are by appointment only. For more information, please contact Leo Eguchi.

Boston College Piano Ensemble

Linda Papatopoli, director

The Piano Ensemble provides an opportunity for pianists to meet with one another and play four, six and eight-hand works at both one and two pianos. The Ensemble is open by audition to all members of the BC community who are pianists at an intermediate or higher level.

Rehearsals and coaching times are scheduled for each individual group between 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sundays in Lyons 409.

For more information contact Linda Papatopoli.

Boston College Baroque

Anne-Marie Chubet, director

BC Baroque is a small string ensemble that specializes in music of the Baroque period, including J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann and their contemporaries. Students learn Baroque bow techniques, and have the opportunity to play solo parts in the varied concerto literature of the period. The ensemble performs in late spring both in Gasson Hall and as a part of the Arts Festival.

BC Baroque meets during the spring semester; auditions will be announced in November, and a Sunday rehearsal schedule will be posted. For more information, please contact Anne-Marie Chubet.

Boston College Middle Eastern Ensemble

Ann Lucas, director

BC's newest group, the Middle Eastern Ensemble is dedicated to learning how to play music from cultures of the Middle East: the Arab World, Iran, Turkey, as well as parts of Central Asia. Repertoire covered includes rural and urban repertoires, popular music forms as well as art music genres. The Middle Eastern Ensemble meets on Thursdays from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in Stokes 195S. Permission of instructor is required for enrollment. For more information, please contact Ann Lucas.

Irish Fiddle and Irish Dance

Sponsored in conjunction with the Irish Studies program, the Music Department offers weekly group lessons in traditional Irish fiddle, and traditional Irish dance. Students wishing to study fiddle should have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the violin; for traditional Irish dance, no previous experience is necessary.

Irish Fiddle for beginners (MUSP1615) meets on Thursdays from 6:30–7:15 p.m. in Lyons 409, and is taught by Sheila Falls-Keohane.

Irish Fiddle for intermediate/advanced players (MUSP2600) meets on Thursdays from 7:15–8:00 p.m. in Lyons 409, and is taught by Sheila Falls-Keohane.

Irish Dance (MUSP1620) meets Mondays from 7:30–9:00 p.m. in the Brighton Campus Dance Studio, and is taught by Caitlin Haggan.

For more information, please contact Sheila Falls-Keohane (fiddle) or Irish Studies at 617-552-3938.

Opera Workshop

Randy McGee, director

Opera Workshop is open by audition to all BC students seeking vocal and stage experience in opera, operetta and musical theatre repertoire. OpShop presents two performances each year: a fall and a spring scenes program. Students have the opportunity to experience lead, supporting and ensemble roles, and occasionally will also present solo arias.  Individual Voices are always paid attention to, and repertoire is chosen to fit singer's voices. OpShop fulfills the extra hour requirement for credited voice lessons.

Rehearsals, typically 1 to 1 1/2 hours, take place Sundays between Noon and 4 p.m. Individuals are scheduled to minimize time commitment, generally 1 to 1.5 hours per Sunday. Typically, a student would have a scene (solo, duet, or trio) and then come together for a Full Ensemble rehearsal. For more information and audition times, please contact Randy McGee (randy.mcgee@bc.edu)

Singing for the Stage Workshop

Pamela Murray, director

Singing for the Stage is a weekly workshop that focuses on individual performance in any vocal genre. Students prepare and perform a solo in any style, then are coached in front of an audience of peers. For more information, please contact Pamela Murray.

Madrigal Singers

The Madrigal Singers of Boston College is a student-run vocal ensemble dedicated to performing high-quality chamber choral works with roots in and around the Renaissance. Although we specialize in madrigals and motets, we have been known to perform some more contemporary settings now and then. Our group attracts members from many different musical backgrounds with varying levels of experience--however, all of our members share (at least) one common thread: we all have a passion for bringing the choral art to life and having lots of fun in the process.

For more information visit their website.

Liturgy Arts Group

For more information about the Liturgy Arts Group, please contact Meyer Chambers or visit the Campus Ministry website.

Popular Styles Ensemble

Erik Kniffin, director

The "Pop Styles" Ensemble provides musicians an opportunity to hone skills in rock, blues, jazz and fusion in a band setting. No audition is necessary, and the ensemble is open to all members of the BC community. In addition to weekly jams, the ensemble performs each spring as part of the Arts Festival.

Pop Styles meets Wednesdays from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in Lyons 423. For more information contact Erik Kniffin.

Improvisation

Erik Kniffin, director

Improvisation classes range from Introductory to Advanced levels, helping students learn to solo in a variety of styles, including folk, rock, jazz and blues. All instruments and levels of experience are welcome.

Classes meet on Mondays in Lyons 409
Introductory 6:00 p.m.
Intermediate 7:00 p.m.
Advanced 8:00 p.m.

For more information contact Erik Kniffin.

A Cappella Groups

Sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement.

• Acoustics - mixed
  
• Against the Current - Christian, mixed
  
• B.E.A.T.S. - mixed, R&B and Soul
  
• B.C. Sharps - All female A Cappella
  
• Bostonians - mixed
  
• Common Tones of Boston College - mixed
• Dynamics - mixed
  
• Heightsmen - men
• Shaan - South Asian A Cappella

Music Guild

The Music Guild is a student-run club that organizes practice space, concerts and musician contacts of student musicians in pop, jazz and rock. For more information, contact faculty advisor Jeremiah McGrann.

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