Performance Ensembles
Meredith's Department of Music offers performance opportunities including three choral groups and the Meredith Sinfonietta.
Performing groups at Meredith are:
- Meredith Chorale
- Meredith Chorus
- Encore!
- Meredith Sinfonietta
- Octavia Piano Ensemble
- Flutopia Ensemble
Choral Ensembles at Meredith
All choral ensembles receive 1 unit of credit per semester which are applicable humanities requirements in the General Education Core. Choral Ensembles are open to all students regardless of major.
Meredith Chorale, the College's premiere vocal performing ensemble, is an auditioned ensemble of approximately 30–35 outstanding women. Meredith Chorale embarks upon a spring tour each year; therefore, a year-long commitment is ideal. Meredith Chorale is called upon to sing at various off-campus events as well as on-campus concerts, convocations and Chapel services. Meredith Chorale performed at the North Carolina Music Educator's Convention in November of 1998 and 2004, as well as at the North Carolina State American Choral Directors Association Conference in 2002.
- Listen to an audio clip from Thompson's Alleluia, from Meredith College's recent choral CD!
Place an order for the Meredith Sings Choral CD!
For more information, email Dr. Fran Page.
Meredith Chorus (College Choir) is open to all students; no audition is required. The Chorus is a large ensemble of women that practices three times per week. Two concerts and at least one chapel service are performed every semester. A variety of excellent choral literature is programmed.
For more information, email Mr. James Smith.
Encore! is Meredith College's small a cappella ensemble. This ensemble of eight to ten women sing early music, jazz, barbershop, gospel, and other close harmony music intended for performance by a small ensemble. Encore! frequently tours in the spring with Chorale, and similarly, a year-long commitment is preferable. Students with majors in a vocal area wishing to participate in Encore! are required to sing in Chorale as well to ensure a rounded choral curriculum. Encore! is frequently asked to sing off-campus throughout the year. Membership in Encore! is determined by audition.
For more information, email Mrs. Tricia Strong.
Meredith Choral Auditions
Although an audition is not required for all groups, auditions are highly recommended so the conductor may place each singer in the most appropriate group.
The audition procedure is as follows:
- Sing a song of your choosing. It can be an art song, aria, hymn or folk song.
- Sing 1–2 sight-reading examples.
- Sing vocal exercises and tonal memory exercises to show range and ear.
- You may be asked to sing against a harmonic line to demonstrate your part independence.
The Meredith Sinfonietta, under the direction of Dr. Jim Waddelow, is comprised of both music majors and non-music majors. Students in the orchestra typically represent most academic areas across the entire campus.
The ensemble is dedicated to performing a high level of orchestral literature that includes traditional string works and chamber symphonic works. Recent performances have represented works by Corelli, Handel, Elgar, Bartòk, and Hindemith. Early symphonies by Haydn, Mozart, and Stamitz are also a staple of the repertoire, and "pops" programming is also regularly featured by the orchestra.
Frequent collaborations with other Meredith ensembles and faculty members are a tradition. Ed Stephenson (guitar), Margaret Evens (piano), Risa Poniros (voice), and Kent Lyman (piano) are recent faculty members to perform with the ensemble. Collaborations have included the Meredith Choirs, Chapel Hill Men’s Choir, and the Meredith Opera Workshop.
Auditions for the Meredith Sinfonietta are held at the beginning of each semester. Please prepare two excerpts, one featuring a lyrical passage that demonstrates tone and another technical passage that demonstrates appropriate kinesthetic proficiency. Appropriate sight-reading is also expected.
For more information, email Dr. Jim Waddelow or call 919-760-8579.
Octavia Piano Ensemble is a group of four pianists chosen by the instructor to learn and perform a variety of works for piano four hands, two pianos four hands, two pianos eight hands, and other combinations. This group performs in a number of different settings, including formal evening programs open to the public, in college-sponsored recruiting events, and at events such as Celebrating Student Achievement.
For more information, email Dr. Kent Lyman.
Flutopia Ensemble is open to all students of flute by arrangement with the conductor. The group rehearses and performs a variety of works for flute taken from the standard ensemble literature. Flutopia performs in a variety of settings, and is especially appreciated by the entire campus when they perform in Johnson Hall Rotunda.
For more information, email Ms. Pamela Nelson.
