Ensembles
The Music Department is home to nearly 20 ensembles. Directed by renowned musicians, these ensembles meet weekly, offering both music majors and minors and other BC students the opportunity to hone their performance skills in a diverse range of vocal and instrumental styles.
Vocal Studies Ensembles
Dr. Riikka Pietiläinen-Caffrey, director.
Since its beginning as a small glee club in 1913, the University Chorale of Boston College has grown into an organization of approximately 120 singers, the second-largest student organization at Boston College! The group includes undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and members of the Jesuit community who perform SATB arrangements varying from classical masterpieces to more modern works. The Chorale performs numerous times throughout the year, including seasonal concerts, our annual performance at the Pops on the Heights Gala with the Boston Pops, and performances abroad on our yearly spring break performance tour! Last year, the group traveled to Ireland, and this year we are thrilled to be going to Spain and Portugal! Rehearsals are twice a week, once by voice section, and once as a complete ensemble. Auditions for all new students will be held during the second week of classes and will consist of voice matching, vocal exercises, and a short song excerpt.
For more information regarding auditions, please visit our website or email us at bcchorale@bc.edu!
Dr. Riikka Pietiläinen-Caffrey, director.
The Chamber Singers (MUSP2855) perform music appropriate for small vocal ensemble, including polyphonic motets of the Renaissance period, masses by Mozart and Haydn, and works by contemporary composers including Jake Runestad and Eric Whitacre. Membership is by audition only, and members must be active members of the University Chorale of Boston College.
For more information and audition times, please contact Dr. Riikka Pietiläinen-Caffrey.
Randy McGee, Ph.D., director.
Opera Workshop (MUSP2850) 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.
Pamela Murray, director.
Musical Theater Cabaret (MUSP2750) provides students with the opportunity to extract a solo or small ensemble number from a larger show and present it in a concert setting. Selections can include jazz standards, “classical” musical theatre, operetta, contemporary shows: anything from the great American songbook tradition with a story to tell and an accompaniment part suitable for the piano. During the semester we will focus on musical accuracy, vocal delivery, dramatic interpretation, and character development. Students create a mini scene using very basic staging, peer collaboration, and storytelling. The semester culminates with a performance at the end of each semester. All the singers will work and perform with a professional pianist throughout the semester.
Rehearsals take place on Saturdays (in the 10 am-3 pm range) with intermittent Friday rehearsals during the fall semester based on the home football schedule. In general, singers will be called for 45-60 minutes per week. Toward the performance date, there will be some full ensemble rehearsals with a call time around two hours. Spring semester rehearsals take place on Saturdays. Open to singers by audition.
For more information, contact Pamela Murray.
Lindsay Albert, director.
Liederabend (MUSP2852) is a performance opportunity for advanced singers and pianists to explore the rich repertoire of art song (poetry set to song). Individual singers will collaborate with a pianist (faculty or student) to rehearse one to two song selections in preparation for the final performance. Song selections are usually in German, French, English, Italian, or Spanish. Students will meet with a coach on a weekly basis to refine diction, style, piano/voice collaboration, and text interpretation. The semester culminates with a formal song recital at the end of the semester.
The coaching sessions take place weekly in 30-minute intervals on Thursdays in Lyons Hall (on Main Campus) throughout the semester and selected weekends. Individual time slots will be determined based on student availability. It’s encouraged (but not required) that vocalists be comfortable with basic music notation and be enrolled in private voice lessons. Open to singers/pianists by audition only.
For more information, please contact the director, Lindsay Albert.
Instrumental Studies Ensembles
Dr. Anna Wittstruck, director.
The Boston College Symphony Orchestra (BCSO) (MUSP2840) fosters musical excellence and engagement through rehearsals and performances of major symphonic works. Students develop expression and empowerment as performers, self-awareness and empathy as listeners, and a deeper understanding and appreciation of a diverse repertoire of music. Our goal is to create an enthusiastic and supportive space for people to come together through music. Participation in BCSO is about building community and contributing one's sound to something greater than yourself.
BCSO is open to the entire BC community, and rehearses Mondays 7:30–9:00 p.m. in Lyons 423 (strings only and/or sectionals) and Wednesdays in the Conte Forum Band Rehearsal Room 7:15–9:45 pm (full orchestra).
For more information, contact Dr. Anna Wittstruck in Lyons Hall 427 or email bostoncollegesymphonyorchestra@gmail.com. Visit the BCSO's website for more information.
Dr. Anna Wittstruck, 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 (MUSP2820). Each ensemble meets weekly with a coach and also alone for rehearsal.
For more information, contact Dr. Anna Wittstruck, Lyons 427.
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, contact Judy Grant.
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.
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.
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.
For the following ensembles, visit the Bands Program website.
- University Wind Ensemble of BC
- Symphonic Band
- The "Screaming Eagles" Marching Band
- BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble
- Pep Band
Global / Area Studies Ensembles
Prof. Ann Lucas, director.
The Middle Eastern Astaza! Ensemble (MUSP1660 / ICSP1660) is dedicated to learning how to play and/or sing 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, folk and popular music forms as well as art music genres. The Middle Eastern Choir meets from 6:00 to 7:50 PM in Devlin 10, and the Instrumental Ensemble meets from 8:00-10:00 pm in Lyons 423, both on Thursdays. Permission of instructor is required for enrollment.
For more information, contact Ann Lucas.
Waaw Waaw BC: The West African Music Ensemble (MUSP1670) specializes in sabar, a drumming and dance style from Senegal. Performed in many contexts, the sabar is heard at baptisms, weddings, wrestling matches, political and community gatherings, the Black Panther soundtrack, and most notably in mbalax, Senegal's most popular urban dance music. Students will learn the repertoire performed at these events in weekly classes taught by Lamine Touré, a master drummer from one of Senegal’s oldest griot families.
Our classes encourage collective participation, fun, and a deeper understanding of a millennia-old drumming tradition. The ensemble is inspired by the Wolof expression "waaw waaw," a positive affirmation meaning "Yes!!", "That's Right," Good Job, and "Excellent."
We welcome students, faculty, staff, African music fans, and members of the Boston community. We provide the drums.
Classes meet in the afternoon on Wednesdays and Fridays. No experience necessary - all levels are welcome.
For more information, contact Timothy Mangin or Amadou Touré.
Shannon D. Jacob, director.
Voices of Imani was formed in 1977 and is the only gospel choir at Boston College. We celebrate and honor the history, potency, and beauty of African-American music by performing spirituals and contemporary gospel music. The choir has served as a source of much needed inspiration, unity and strength among students of color and the Boston College community as a whole. We perform at many university events, their own concerts, and serve the larger Boston area through song. This is a group that is open to all students on campus who love to sing and would like to be a part of the legacy of Black music on campus. You are not required to audition or read sheet music, and all levels of musicianship are welcome. The group meets twice a week for rehearsals, and you can also receive academic credit for this by registering for the course Gospel Music Workshop (MUSP1770 / AADS1770).
For more information, contact Shannon D. Jacob.
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 6:30–7:20 p.m. in Lyons 409, and is taught by Sheila Falls-Keohane.
- Irish Fiddle for Intermediate/Advanced Players (MUSP2600) meets on Thursdays from 7:30–8:20 p.m. in Lyons 409, and is taught by Sheila Falls-Keohane.
- Irish Dance (MUSP1620) meets Mondays from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in the Brighton Campus Dance Studio 2, and is taught by Caitlin Haggan.
For more information, please contact Sheila Falls-Keohane (fiddle) or Irish Studies at 617-552-3938.
Vernacular / Popular Music Studies Ensembles
Erik Kniffin, director.
The "Pop Styles" Ensemble (MUSP1750) 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.
Erik Kniffin, director.
The improvisation classes (MUSP1760/1766/2710) 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 (MUSP1760): 6:00 p.m.
- Intermediate (MUSP1766): 7:00 p.m.
- Advanced (MUSP2710): 8:00 p.m.
For more information contact Erik Kniffin.