Chamber music is a vital part of the Cali School curriculum. We offer a wide variety of opportunities, ranging from the Collegium Musicum, which performs music from the Middle Ages though the 18th century, to ensembles performing contemporary and newly composed works. Ensembles are formed by the faculty following auditions that determine students’ interests and abilities. Students may also have the opportunity to perform with faculty in concert. Recent joint student and faculty concerts have included performances of William Walton’s Façade: An Entertainment; John Harbison’s Wind Quintet (commissioned and premiered by emeritus professor David Singer); and Milhaud’s The Creation of the World: Chaos, Man and Woman Created, Desire, and Kiss.
Collegium Musicum
Collegium Musicum, directed by Hsuan-Wen Chen, performs solo and ensemble works for instruments and voice from the pre-19th century repertoire. It also performs later works related to the earlier styles. Its diverse programs have included: The Love Feast – Music from Early American Religious Societies, works from the Ephrata Cloister, Shakers, Moravian Brethren, Harmony Society, and the shaped-note tradition; Spain and New Spain 1550-1750, with works from Europe and the Americas; Monteverdi’s Orfeo; magic scenes from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and King Arthur; “Vanity of Vanities” – Rome 1650, works by Carissimi, Storace, Pasquini, Froberger, and Marini, music of Charpentier and the French baroque; Italian Influences in German Music, 1600-1650 including works of Böhm and Schütz; The British Orpheus: Music of Henry Purcell and the English 17th Century; “Love, the sweet pain of my heart”: Music of Handel in Italy; and Baroque Music of Italy and Spain.
Cali School Quartet Fellowship
The Cali School Graduate String Quartet Fellowship supports an established quartet for two academic years with full tuition plus plus a yearly stipend for its members. Fellows earn an Artist’s Diploma and participate in:
- Lessons and coaching with the Shanghai Quartet.
- Performance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
- Extensive additional performing experiences in the tri-state area and New York City.
- Master classes and seminars with visiting guest artists.
- Career advice.
- Possible additional professional work.
For more information about the two-year fellowship, contact Anthony Mazzocchi: tzavarasn@montclair.edu
West African Drum and Dance Ensemble
This ensemble, under the direction of Robert Levin, gives students an opportunity to develop a wide range of performance skills as well as an understanding of aspects of African culture through the study and performance of African music and dance (primarily Ghanaian).
Balkan Music Ensemble
This ensemble, under the direction of Raif Hyseni, introduces students to the music of the Balkan region in Eastern Europe. The ensemble experience includes performances on traditional instruments, singing original lyrics, and some folk dancing. Students are invited to participate with or without previous experience.
Broadway Repertory Ensemble
The Broadway Repertory Ensemble explores the unique American art form called the Broadway musical. We will rehearse and have the opportunity to perform, in concert format, various musicals from the past 80 years. Composers such as Lerner and Lowe, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim, Schwartz and Miranda will all be discussed. The class meets on Fridays from 4pm-5:30pm in Room 201 in Chapin Hall. Students will also learn about Broadway nomenclature, pit etiquette, balance, style and career advice. Strings, woodwind doublers, brass, percussion, pianists(keyboards) and vocalists are encouraged to enroll. A Guest Broadway music director will lead one class per semester. This is offered for chamber credit or an elective.
For more information contact Chad Smith, music director at smithchad@montclair.edu.