Academic Departments I Performing Arts I Music Ensembles

The music program at Rockford College has something for everyone, whether you wish to earn a degree in music or simply take private violin lessons, sing in a choir, or play in a pit orchestra. Rockford College has numerous opportunities to use or develop your musical talents, including four vocal ensembles, two musicals each year, the RC Music Club, private instruction, and an opera workshop.

Regent Singers is a mixed (SATB) performance ensemble that performs a wide variety of choral music ranging from the Renaissance to Contemporary and from classical literature to folk songs and spirituals. Much of the music performed by Regent Singers is a cappella, although there is occasional piano accompaniment and even collaboration with chamber orchestra. The culmination of each semester's preparation is a final performance at the Winter or Spring Performing Arts concert.

The Rockford College Vocal Collective is a highly select mixed vocal ensemble that numbers 12 to 16 singers and sings everything from Renaissance polyphony to jazz. Established in 2004, this scholarship group learns music quickly and performs often, usually a cappella. The ensemble serves as an ambassador for the college, performing at college functions and representing Rockford College at community events such as sports games, corporate events and city gatherings. Members of the Vocal Collective are currently preparing for a spring concert tour of Florida, which will take place March 5 - 10, 2006. Auditions for the Vocal Collective occur during the first week of classes each fall semester and are open to all students.  Learn more about the Rockford College Vocal Collective.

Women's Ensemble is open to all women on campus. A wide variety of music written for treble voices is studied and performed, including arrangements of pop/jazz/show tunes. In addition to the final Performing Arts Concert at the end of each semester, Women's Ensemble regularly performs at the beloved Candlelight Carole service each December.

The Gospel Choir is OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS and brings to Rockford College the tradition of gospel music in American culture. Led by RAMI-award winning artist Adjunct Professor Carl Cole, this performance ensemble explores the rich repertoire and performance practice found in the gospel tradition and exists in part to preserve and affirm the African American culture in the city of Rockford .

Opera Workshop is offered every other year in the spring, and offers students the opportunity to explore the classical side of the ever-popular marriage between music and theater. The course addresses the preparation, study and performance of representative scenes from the opera repertoire. The semester's work culminates in an Evening of Opera Scenes.

If you play an instrument, consider playing with the RC Music Club, a student-directed band that rehearses once a week and alternates semesters playing jazz and rock . There are also fine community bands and orchestras in the Rockford area that welcome student participation.

Rockford College is also proud to produce some of the best theater in the region, including two full-scale musicals each year. Student musicians have the opportunity to audition for and play in the pit orchestra for pay. Other students may be more interested in auditioning for a role in the show or helping out behind the scenes. Whatever your interest, there are opportunities for students from all disciplines to get involved. Two beautiful performance spaces and a highly experienced creative team make theater at Rockford College an experience to treasure your entire life.

Private instruction is available at the college in voice, piano, and most woodwind, brass and string instruments, including guitar. Many music classes are available to all students and include such courses as The Art of Listening, World Music, and Fundamentals of Music. The music faculty, both full-time and adjunct, is made up of some of the finest award-winning, professional musicians in Northern Illinois .

If you're interested in finding out more about the music offerings at Rockford College, please call or e-mail Professor Timm Adams in the Performing Arts Department at 815.226.4102 or tadams@rockford.edu.