Blending Traditional and Contemporary Ensemble Experiences
The Department of Music large ensembles include concert choir, symphony orchestra, symphonic winds, jazz ensembles, and the marching band. In addition to the large performing ensembles, students may choose to participate in specialized groups in Historical Performance (early music), small mixed groups in popular or traditional styles, jazz combos, various woodwind, brass or piano/string chamber ensembles, percussion or keyboard ensembles, and an unaccompanied vocal group. Studio ensembles in flute, horn, saxophone, guitar, and brass are also available to interested students.
The Department of Music is committed to providing meaningful educational and artistic ensemble experiences. We invite all students from other academic disciplines who wish to continue their involvement in music performance to participate. Our ensembles are also open to qualified community members, alumni, faculty, and staff.
Continue below for more information about ensemble auditions/registration, applied music lessons, and practice room access.
Operational Plans for the 2021-22 Academic Year
The Department of Music will continue to follow CDC and CWRU COVID-19 guidelines and will adapt operations as these protocols develop. Rehearsals and performances will follow all CWRU guidelines and protocols of supervising faculty members. Practice rooms/modules, studios, and classrooms will continue to require reservations, but with no time limits or transition time in between.
Read the updated campus COVID-19 protocols (effective July 2021).
Vaccinations: COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements FAQs
Prevention measures: To prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), please follow these steps—as well as the information outlined on this page.
Masking: Those who are fully vaccinated (two weeks from completing their vaccine dosage) do not have to wear masks indoors on campus. Exceptions exist for individuals (vaccinated or not) who are:
- in a patient-care setting;
- engaging in physical activity within a university athletic or recreational facility; and
- taking university transportation (e.g., Safe Ride vehicles or university shuttles).
Physical Distancing: Those who are fully vaccinated no longer have to maintain six feet of distance from others on campus.
Daily Health Attestation: Starting tomorrow (Thursday, July 22), the daily health assessment will go on hiatus until Monday, Aug. 23—when those who are not vaccinated will be expected to complete it every day.
COVID-19 Symptoms: Regardless of vaccination status, please stay home (or in your residence hall) if you experience COVID-19 symptoms and contact University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) for guidance about returning to campus. For immediate medical advice, students may call UHCS anytime; faculty and staff should contact their primary medical providers.
Faculty Guidance during COVID-19: Guidance for Fall 2021
We will continue to closely monitor COVID-19-related developments throughout this summer and fall. As we have throughout the pandemic, leaders will adjust university practices in accordance with guidance from health experts from within and beyond the university.
Auditions and Registration
Full auditions take place the first week of the fall semester. New members can also audition the first week of the spring semester. Audition and registration requirements are outlined on each Ensemble page.
Note: Marching Band typically begins rehearsals one week prior to orientation. Contact the director for details.
Did you know?
Most ensembles have variable credit hours between 0.00 and 1.00 units, which allows you to participate without exceeding 19 hours per semester.
Enrollment permissions are granted in SIS following a successful audition or after the first week of class. Once course permissions have been granted (before the drop/add period ends) students should return to their SIS account to register in the appropriate MUEN course.
New Students | Please make sure to attend our Ensembles Orientation during Discover Week. Follow the audition information for each ensemble by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu option.
Returning Students | Undergraduate music majors (winds, brass, percussion, and strings) will be assigned an audition time, which will be communicated by email from the Department of Music in August.
|
Bands and Orchestras |
Choirs |
Historical Performance |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Symphonic Winds Spartan Marching Band Jazz Ensemble I Jazz Ensemble II Symphony Orchestra Camerata Chamber Orchestra |
Case Concert Choir Case Men’s Glee Club University Chorale |
Baroque Orchestra Baroque Chamber Ensembles Baroque Dance Collegium Musicum Early Music Singers |
Percussion Ensemble Klezmer Music Ensemble Keyboard Ensemble Popular Music Ensemble String & Piano Chamber Music Miscellaneous Ensembles |
Miscellaneous Ensembles
A handful of affiliated CIM faculty within the Joint Music Program coach additional studio classes. These include guitar (classical/jazz), horn, flute, brass, and saxophone. Students are typically enrolled in applied music lessons while enrolled in the corresponding studio ensemble. These classes do not fulfill primary ensemble requirements and require concurrent enrollment in either Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Chamber Orchestra or Symphonic Winds (excluding guitar). For more information, please contact:
- Guitar: Don Better
- Horn: Meghan Guegold
- Flute: Heidi Ruby-Kushious
- Brass Quintet: Loren Toplitz
- Saxophone: Greg Banaszak
- Brass/Woodwind Chamber Music: Cynthia Watson
CIM Ensemble Offerings
Applied Music Lessons
All CWRU students can take applied music lessons (MUAP) for academic credit with affiliated CIM faculty members through our Joint Music Program.
- Incoming undergraduate music majors will receive notification of their studio placement from the music office in August. Each student will register for principal applied music lessons (MUAP 121) and Recital Class1. Students interested in secondary lessons should complete the Pre-Registration Form: Secondary Applied Music Lessons.
- Graduate or professional students in music must receive a lesson assignment from their faculty advisor before meeting with Jennifer Wright during orientation to register. Students interested in secondary lessons should complete the Pre-Registration Form: Secondary Applied Music Lessons.
- Non-majors and music minors should complete the Pre-Registration Form: Secondary Applied Music Lessons prior to August 15 (fall term) or December 15 (spring term).
- Students should make every effort to register for lessons in SIS and contact their CIM Instructor to schedule their weekly lessons time before the first week of class.
1) Recital Class, a required component of primary lessons for undergraduate music majors, meets every Wednesday, 3:20-4:10 PM in Harkness Chapel. Course delivery: hybrid instruction. Students are required to perform once during the academic year and serve as stage managers the week following their performance. Attendance is mandatory, but exemptions are made for conflicting academic courses.
Building Access/Practice Rooms/Lockers
Please review our Music Facilities Policies & Procedures.
Practice Rooms
CWRU music majors and students enrolled in music ensembles (MUEN) or applied music lessons (MUAP) are provided access to Haydn Hall and/or Denison Hall practice rooms.
Instrumental Locker Policies and Requests
The Department of Music will make instrument storage lockers available to music majors and non-majors currently enrolled in official CWRU Department of Music sponsored ensembles, following established university guidelines and policies.
Building Card Swipe Access
All music majors and CWRU students enrolled in ensembles or lessons will automatically be activated for card swipe access to Denison Hall and Haydn Hall. Card swipe access will begin August 8 for music majors and on the Monday after drop/add for non-majors. During orientation week through drop/add, Denison Hall operates on extended hours (8am-10pm, every day) while Haydn Hall operates within standards business hours (8am-6pm, M-F).
Individuals who require building access but do not fall into the above categories can request card swipe access to Haydn Hall or Denison Hall by submitting the Music Building Access Request.
