Department of Music

African Music and Dance Ensemble

The African Music & Dance Ensemble is a practical, hands-on course focusing on several traditional music and dance forms from West Africa (Ghana, Togo) with performances during and at the end of the semester. Though no previous experience with music or dance is required, we will give special attention to developing tight ensemble dynamics, aural musicianship, and a polymetric sensibility. Concentration, practice, and faithful attendance are required of each class member, the goal being to develop an ongoing UVA African Music & Dance Ensemble. 

Directed by Eric Gertner, the ensemble holds several performances a year, including outreach events in the Charlottesville community. Spectators are often invited to join in the dancing and singing. The group also hosts special guests for concerts and workshops, including Midawo Gideon Foli Alorwoyie and Nani Agbeli.
Students interested in African Music and Dance Ensemble should enroll in the course (MUEN 2690, MUEN 3690, or MUEN 4690, depending on student seniority in the ensemble). No previous experience with music or dance is required.  By informal audition on January 14,  5:45 pm. (the first day of class.)  Class time 5:45 - 7:15. For more information about this ensemble click here

Baroque Orchestra

Think you know Baroque Music?  Think again!
Learn to play Baroque period instruments from the University's extensive collection.  Present dynamic performances of music from the 17th and 18th centuries, without a conductor.  Audition for the Baroque Orchestra.  Openings for violin, viola, and cello.  Prior experience on period instruments not necessary.  Auditions will be on Thursday, January 16, between 6 and 7pm.  Students should prepare 5 minutes of material with contrasting sections, ideally composed prior to 1750.  There may also be a short sight-reading component.  To arrange a time, contact Prof. David Sariti (djs6k@virginia.edu)

Think you know Baroque Music?  Think again!
Learn to play Baroque period instruments from the University's extensive collection.  Present dynamic performances of music from the 17th and 18th centuries, without a conductor.  Audition for the Baroque Orchestra.  Openings for violin, viola, and cello.  Prior experience on period instruments not necessary.  Auditions will be on Thursday, January 16, between 6 and 7pm.  Students should prepare 5 minutes of material with contrasting sections, ideally composed prior to 1750.  There may also be a short sight-reading component.  To arrange a time, contact Prof. David Sariti (djs6k@virginia.edu)

Klezmer Ensemble

Join a dynamic performing ensemble and have an opportunity to study and perform with prominent guest artists.
Klezmer music was brought to North America by immigrants around the turn of the twentieth century. Since the 1970s, a dynamic revival of this tradition has been taking place in America and beyond, bringing the music far from its roots in medieval Europe and Jewish ritual and into the sphere of mainstream culture. The Klezmer Ensemble at UVA performs at the end of each semester, often supplemented by performances at community events.

Besides working with world-renowned klezmer musician Joel Rubin (Associate Professor and Director of Music Performance), the ensemble is coached by and plays together every year with acclaimed guest artists. This year’s guests for November 21, 2019 were Veretski Pass (www.veretskipass.com) from Berkeley, California (Cookie Segelstein, violin; Joshua Horowitz, accordion; Stuart Brotman, bass).

Admission is by instructor permission. Auditions will take place at the first class session on Monday, January 13, 2020, from 7:30-9:30 pm in Old Cabell Room 113 or by appointment. No prior knowledge of or experience with klezmer music is necessary. The only prerequisite is an intermediate to advanced level on an instrument and an open mind. You do not have to have previously learned or worked by ear. The ensemble always has written lead sheets with melodies and chords, although working by ear is encouraged.

For more information about this ensemble click here

Private Trumpet Lessons & Trumpet Ensemble

The Charlottesville Symphony new Principal Trumpet, Arthur Zanin (ad3zx@virginia.edu) is accepting students for spring 2020 in his trumpet studio and in the UVA Trumpet Ensemble.  No audition required.  Mr. Zanin was appointed to the faculty of the University of Virginia McIntire Department of Music and the Charlottesville Symphony in the fall of 2019. Arthur Zanin has performed in orchestral and chamber music settings in South America, the United States and Europe.  He has worked as a freelance musician in New York City, performing in a variety of recitals, shows and recordings and appearing in such prestigious concert venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the Kauffman Center. To find out more about private lessons at UVA visit http://music.virginia.edu/lessons.  To find out more about the Trumpet Ensemble visit http://music.virginia.edu/trumpet-ensemble

Private Voice Lessons

VOICE : (CLASSICAL/MUSICAL THEATRE VOICE)
Tuesday, January 14  5:45-7:00pm OCH room 113
New voice students who would like to take private lessons should audition to be placed with the correct instructor. Please contact Pamela Beasley at pbb2c@virginia.edu to schedule an audition time. Interested students should prepare two contrasting selections. A pianist will be provided and students must bring printed music to the auditions. Memorization is not required but is encouraged. Repertoire for the auditions may include: art songs, arias, musical theater selections, folk songs, or hymn arrangements. On the audition form, students will be given the opportunity to request a particular teacher and subject to scheduling and open teaching slots, we do our best to honor those requests. Biographical listings for all voice faculty can be found at http://music.virginia.edu/faculty/lessons. Students of all levels are accepted into Classical/Musical Theater voice lesson study with no pre-requisite voice study required. Basic music reading competency is encouraged.

­VOICE: (JAZZ or primarily NON-CLASSICAL VOICE) - No Audition Required
Stephanie Nakasian (nakasian@virginia.eduis accepting students for spring 2020 Pop, Jazz, Theater, Singer-Songwriter, Rock R&B.  No audition necessary.  Ms. Nakasian has released 22 CDs & authored 2 books and toured all over the world.  Toured with Jazz vocal legend Jon Hendricks venues included the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and Major U.S., Japanese and European festivals and has been heard on dozens of NPR shows including "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross.  "vocal virtuosity.." (N.Y. Times); 'Sounds like Ella..." (Richmond Times Dispatch); "Swings and scats with authority without sounding overly derivative...sensuous..." (Washington Post)

University Singers / Chamber Singers

Audition for UVA's flagship chorus! Sign-ups will be available in the lobby of Old Cabell Hall, and auditions will take place January 13 through January 18, with possible additional auditions on Tues., January 21. No prepared piece is required, and interested students will also be considered for the UVA Chamber Singers. Recent highlights include a 2019 concert tour to the Northeastern U.S. and Canada, a 2017 performance at the Bicentennial Arts Gala with the Charlottesville Symphony, a 2015 international concert tour to Europe, and a performance for the creators of Les Misérables. Upcoming highlights include Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis for the composer’s 250th birthday celebration, and National Anthems for UVA Basketball games.  More information at: music.virginia.edu/usingers and usingers.10to8.com/  For questions, contact the University Singers GM at usingersgm@email.virginia.edu

University Vocal Jazz

University Vocal Jazz is holding auditions on January 16th and 17th from 11am - 5:30pm in Lawn Room 34! Come audition to join our jazzy family!
University Vocal Jazz is a satellite group of the UVA Jazz Ensemble that performs vocal jazz arrangements with the big band, trios, and acapella at a variety of concerts. It is offered as a 2 credit class, ungraded (under the jazz ensemble) and is affiliated with the music department.
For the audition, please prepare one verse and chorus of any song - no jazz experience required! There will be a warm ups, pitch recall, and a blending exercise as well. We can't wait to meet you!

Virginia Glee Club - January 16th, 17th & 21st

Virginia Women's Chorus

Audition for the Chorus that has over 33,000 views on YouTube for its performance of And So It Goes.  It is also the only ensemble at UVA that has the prestigious honor of being selected to perform at the American Choral Directors Association twice! Auditions are January 17-26 in Old Cabell Hall. The Chorus is under the professional direction of Katherine “KaeRenae” Mitchell and is a student-run choral ensemble of undergraduate and graduate women at UVA. The Chorus is known for its excellence in the performance of classical, contemporary and diverse music from the challenging choral literature for women’s voices. Auditions are brief, and no prepared music is necessary. Possessing sight-singing skills is not as important as having an excellent ear, intonation, and tone quality. This spring the Chorus celebrates its 45th Anniversary with a weekend filled with singing and camaraderie with alumnae and friends from places near and far. The Spring Concert, “Reflect and Envision”, will take place on April 18 at 3:00 PM in Old Cabell Hall. Additionally, there will be performances of the National Anthem, several other performances of select repertoire, a road trip, and many social events to strengthen friendships. For more information and to sign up for an audition, please visit the Virginia Women’s Chorus website. We look forward to meeting you!

Wind Ensemble

Contact bands@virginia.edu to schedule an audition time. Woodwind and brass players should prepare a short prepared solo or etude that showcases both technical and lyrical ability. Auditionees will be required to sightread. The Wind Ensemble performs one concert each semester in Charlottesville, with literature ranging from pops to contemporary to traditional grade VI band masterworks. The group also tours the mid-Atlantic every spring. For more information on the Wind Ensemble, please visit our webpage at: http://music.virginia.edu/wind-ensemble