Ensembles at Mt. SAC
MUS 49: WIND ENSEMBLE
Director: Dr. Karen Marston (kmarston1@mtsac.edu)
Meets MW, 11:30am-2:05pm (plus arranged rehearsal hours)
The Wind Ensemble is the premiere classical wind and percussion ensemble on campus.
The group is comprised of music and non-music majors, performing challenging works
from the standard and contemporary wind band repertoire. Enrollment is open woodwind,
brass, and percussion students with a background performing in band. Instrument and
mouthpiece rentals are available. The Wind Ensemble performs both on and off-campus
each semester. Chair placement auditions take place during the first week of classes.
Students are encouraged to add the course to their schedule prior to the start of
the semester, but late adds are also welcomed.
MUS 27: CHAMBER MUSIC
Director: Dr. Karen Marston (kmarston1@mtsac.edu)
Meets Tuesdays, 11:30am-12:55pm (plus arranged rehearsal hours)
Select ensemble of winds, strings, guitar, and percussion instrumentalists specializing
in the performance of chamber music from the medieval period to the present. The course
may include brass quintets, woodwind quintets, saxophone quartets, and mixed instrumental ensembles of
two through twenty performers. Students must have previous instrumental experience
and pass an entrance audition during the first week of instruction. Public performances
on campus and in the community are required. Students who repeat this course will
improve skills through further instruction and practice.
MUS 38: PERCUSSION, GUITAR, and STRING ENSEMBLES
Percussion - Director: Professor Ariel Campos (acampos84@mtsac.edu)
Meets Thursdays, 7:00PM-10:10PM
Guitar - Director: Professor David Adele (dadele@mtsac.edu)
Meets Wednesdays, 4:45pm - 7:55pm
The Mt. SAC Guitar Ensemble under the direction of David Adele showcases the extensive
talent of the college’s guitar students. Students are required to be able to read
notes on the guitar in first position. The group performs as a large ensemble as
well as duos, trios, quartets, etc. We will explore original music written specifically
for guitar ensemble as well as popular works arranged in multiple parts.
Strings - Director: Professor Irene Shiao (ishiao@mtsac.edu)
Meets Mondays, 4:45pm - 7:55pm
Mt. San Antonio College's String Orchestra, directed by Professor Irene Shiao, is
comprised of music majors and non-music majors. The String Orchestra is open to all
Mt SAC students with instrumental experience on a string instrument: Violin, Viola,
Cello, and Bass. Students enrolled in the ensemble will gain experience in practice,
in performance skills, extend their levels in string techniques, music rhythms, and
develop musicianship skills through individual, ensemble practice and performances.
The ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire from standard orchestral literature
to contemporary film music. The String Orchestra rehearses weekly and performs one
concert each semester.
MUS 39: LAB BAND
Director: Dr. Marcus Wilcher (mwilcher@mtsac.edu)
Meets TTh, 1:15pm-3:50pm
Study and performance of improvisation, jazz, and pop music of all types. Open to
all students with prior instrumental experience. Audition may be required.
MUS 47: JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Director: Professor Jeff Ellwood (jellwood@mtsac.edu)
Meets MW, 2:15pm-4:20pm
Study and performance of jazz and big band music. Provides an opportunity to learn
techniques applicable to the large jazz ensemble. Off-campus public performance required.
Students who repeat this course will improve skills through further instruction and
practice. Admission by audition.
MUS 31: CONCERT CHOIR
Meets MW, 11:30am-12:55pm
This course is for the study, rehearsal, and performance of repertoire suited for
a large mixed choral ensemble. The repertoire will draw from a variety of styles,
time periods, and cultures and may include major choral works. Different literature
will be studied each semester. Sight singing skills and proper vocal technique are
emphasized. Voice placement auditions are held the first week of class. Attendance
at all performances including those off-site is required. Students who repeat this
course will improve skills through further instruction and practice. Auditions held
first week of the semester.
MUS 45: CHAMBER SINGERS
Director: Dr. Matthew Lyon Hazzard (mhazzard@mtsac.edu)
Meets MW, 3:00-4:10pm; Fridays, 8:30am-11:20am (plus arranged rehearsal hours)
This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of advanced choral
repertoire with an emphasis on the development of skills needed to perform difficult
and challenging choral pieces. A wide variety of choral literature is performed publicly
several times each semester, and a performance tour occurs each spring semester. Emphasizes
advanced musical skills and vocal techniques while focusing on the importance of blend,
balance, and tone. Auditions for this course are held each May. This course is repeatable
for credit the maximum times allowable by regulation. Off-campus performances are
required.
MUS 50: JAZZ IMPROVISATION AND PERFORMANCE (Singcopation)
Director: Dr. Jeremy Fox (jfox30@mtsac.edu)
Meets MW, 4:45-6:35pm (with additional arranged rehearsals hours)
This course is for the study, rehearsal, and public performance of advanced vocal
jazz literature with an emphasis on improvisation and skills needed to perform within
a highly select vocal jazz ensemble. This choir will perform vocal jazz arrangements,
and students will study the historical, theoretical, and technical aspects of both
instrumental and vocal jazz. Solo singing techniques and scat singing will be rehearsed,
and the choir will perform at least one concert each semester at Mt. SAC along with
attending and performing at a variety of musical venues. Work with guest artists and
make CD recordings. Attendance is required at assigned public performances. The course
is repeatable for credit the maximum number of times allowable by regulation. Admission
by audition. Off-campus performances are required.
MUS 51: CONTEMPORARY A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE (Nu Aria)
Director, Jeremy Fox (jfox30@mtsac.edu)
Meets TTh, 3:00pm-5:35pm (with additional arranged rehearsal hours)
Study, rehearsal, and public performance of contemporary a cappella music with an
emphasis on the development of skills needed to perform using microphones in a small
a cappella setting. Different literature studied each semester. Ensemble specializing
in a cappella performances of current rock, pop, jazz, and country hits. Topics include
instrumental emulation, vocal percussion microphone techniques, choreography, pop
and jazz solo techniques, and arranging. Off campus performances may be required.
