Courses

In this advanced ensemble trombonists will develop a viable practice routine as it pertains to ensemble playing in all the relevant styles for the instrument. They will learn to better perform together in all relevant idioms and styles. They will learn to transition between idioms and styles with improved control and skill.

This advanced jazz trombone ensemble, conducted by Marshall Gilkes, is one of the premier ensembles in the Brass Department and features some of its strongest jazz trombonists. This ensemble consists of four to eight trombonists with a standard rhythm section. Students are encouraged to write original compositions for the group and perform in a variety of settings on and off campus. This ensemble will submit entries to competitions sponsored by the International Trombone Association and the American Trombone Workshop.

Large vocal ensemble with emphasis on traditional and contemporary music stretching through a wide range of music genres. In this course, students will participate in weekly rehearsals. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy. Concert performances during the fall and spring semesters.

The Treble Voices Concert Choir is a choral group consisting of 12-40 altos and sopranos. Section assignments are dependent upon voice range and voice color rather than gender. All voice principals and non-voice principals are eligible to audition. Students will learn part-singing, blending, intonation, reading, and memorization through the repertoire, which will range from the standard classical choral repertoire to arrangements of musical theater works. A performance will be scheduled at the end of the semester. Concert attire is gender-neutral.

The Symphonic Winds Ensemble is dedicated to performing traditional concert band and wind ensemble music along with newly commissioned and original works by Berklee students.

A recording orchestra of 37 musicians, the Film Scoring Studio Orchestra will integrate and improve orchestral performance skills in an actual Hollywood-style scoring stage setting. A collaboration between the Ensemble, Music Production and Engineering, and Film Scoring departments, the orchestra will meet in Studio 1 of the 160 Massachusetts Avenue building. Each week the ensemble will play music composed by professional film composers or Berklee Film Scoring students, and be recorded by Berklee students in related MP&E classes. Through participation in film scoring sessions in a state-of-the-art scoring stage venue, students will improve their overall efficiency of sight-reading, technique, rhythm (including click track competency), intonation, articulation, style orientation, and ensemble-centered production (listening/response sensitivity).   

The Contemporary Orchestra is designed to feature Berklee's student performers, composers, and conductors through the use of standard repertoire, film, multimedia, and sound. Works of major 20th century composers, as well as Berklee students and faculty, are programmed. Student performers gain experience in orchestral auditions and have the opportunity to be featured as soloists. This ensemble meets two times per week; the second weekly meeting is used for workshops.

Note: students who have previously taken this course can enroll directly without written approval of course instructor.