MUSIC ENSEMBLES
The Music program at Rockford University 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 University has numerous opportunities to use or develop your musical talents, including four vocal ensembles, two musicals each year, the RU Music Club, private instruction, and an opera workshop.
Regent Singers
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 acappella, 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.
Vocal Collective
The Rockford University Vocal Collective is Rockford’s premier a cappella group, a select ensemble of 10 – 20 singers that performs a wide variety of choral literature, from Renaissance polyphony to jazz and popular music. The ensemble serves as an ambassador for the university and regularly performs for alumni events, churches, retirement centers, high schools, sports games, corporate events and city gatherings. In recent years, the group has traveled to Florida, New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City and more. Students from all four classes and from all over the United States make up the Vocal Collective. Auditions for this group occur the first week of classes in August each year.
Treble Ensemble
Treble Ensemble is open to any student on campus wishing to sing SSAA repertoire. 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, Treble Ensemble performs at other campus events, such as cabarets and recitals. Treble Ensemble does not meet every semester.
Opera Workshop
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.
Pit Orchestra
Rockford University 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 University an experience to treasure your entire life.
Private Instruction
Private instruction is available at the university 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 University, please call or e-mail Professor Timm Adams in the Performing Arts Department at 815-226-4102 or TAdams@rockford.edu.
