Ensembles
Major Ensembles
- Chamber Orchestra
- Chamber Singers
- Concert Band
- Women's Chorus and Men's Chorus
- Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Ensembles
- Chamber Orchestra
- Clarinet Choir
- Flute Choir
- Jazz Ensemble
- Piano Chamber Players
- Percussion Ensemble
- Saxophone Ensemble
- Low Brass Choir
- Opera Workshop
Nazareth College Chamber Orchestra
The Nazareth College Chamber Orchestra (NCCO
) meets once a week with a focus on the preparation of literature for small orchestra. This season NCCO will perform Vivaldi’s Concerto in b minor for 4 Violins and Orchestra, Britten’s Simple Symphony, Strelau’s Another Time, Another Place along with other chamber orchestra literature. The group provides the opportunity for Nazareth orchestral conducting students to lead the ensemble. The NCCO is under the direction of Nancy Strelau.
Through the variety of small ensembles offered, trios and quartets are formed at the beginning of each semester. Literature is determined by each chamber music coach with input from ensemble members. Chamber groups perform each semester in string recitals, college ensemble performances and at various venues throughout the community. The Chamber Music Program is coordinated by David Hult.
For more information please contact:
Nancy Strelau, director (585)389-2691
nstrela1@naz.edu
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Chamber Singers
The Nazareth College Chamber Choir is an elite mixed ensemble consisting of approximately 20 to 25 singers. More Information >>
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Clarinet Choir
The Nazareth College Clarinet Choir is conducted by Dr. Marcy Bacon, lecturer in music. Open to clarinet majors and other students by audition, this group was selected to perform at the 2006 International Clarinet Choir Festival at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. The clarinet choir has also appeared at the St. Andrew Concert Series, the Pittsford Library Concert Series and other campus and community venues. The ensemble rehearses on Thursdays 4:15PM-5:45PM.
For more information please contact:
Marcy, Bacon, director (585) 389-2700
mbacon4@naz.edu
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Concert Band
This 80 member ensemble is made up of accomplished wind and percussion players from all 
disciplines on campus. The Concert Band performs a variety of standard or traditional concert band literature as well as newer works for the genre. Membership is open to all students, and audition for chair placement occurs during the first week of each semester.
The Concert Band gives a concert on campus once each semester and may perform off-campus during the spring semester. The Concert Band rehearses on Mondays 4:00-4:50 pm, Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 pm, and Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm.
For more information please contact:
Dr. John Hain, conductor (585) 389-2698
jhain6@naz.edu
Listen: Percy Grainger: Children's March
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Men's Chorus and Women's Chorus
The Nazareth College Men's Chorus and Women's Chorus are a community mixed chorus consisting of approximately 70 to 80 singers. More Information >>
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Nazareth College Jazz Ensemble
The Nazareth College Jazz Ensemble, while based on the standard saxophone, trumpet, 
trombone, and rhythm instrumentation, welcomes all instrumentalists who are interested in learning about and performing in the jazz idiom. Repertoire consists of standard (and not-so-standard) works from the libraries of professional big bands, and also original compositions and arrangements from students, the director, and others. Time is spent on learning about improvisation and how to approach it, and also on how to interpret notation in the various styles of swing, Latin, and funk.
Performances are given both on and off campus each semester. The Jazz Ensemble rehearses on Mondays 8:30-9:30 PM and Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM.
For more information please contact
Dr. Paul Smoker, conductor (585) 389-2700 or home (585) 381-3711
psmoker5@naz.edu
Listen: Taurus Borealis
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Nazareth College Opera Workshop
The Nazareth College Opera Workshop is a program devoted to the performance of opera, 
operetta, and all kinds of music theatre. Students involved in the workshop benefit from rehearsals and master classes focusing on musical preparation, character development, stage movement, communication and artistry. Cast members are chosen by audition. Students rehearse in the fall semester, and present a fully-staged performance early in the spring.
The students in the program also participate in a recruitment/educational tour following the performances. In November 2005, the workshop presented the New York State premiere of Felice by Benton Hess. Past productions have included: Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury and Cox and Box, Andrew Lippa's john & jen, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, Puccini's Sister Angelica, and Sunday Excursion by Rochester's own Alec Wilder.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Robert Strauss, stage director wstraus5@naz.edu
Linda Boianova, music director (585) 389-2700
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Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra
The 80-piece Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra ( NCSO) under the direction of Nancy Strelau performs a wide variety of traditional and contemporary orchestral literature. The orchestra collaborates with the Nazareth College Choirs and features faculty and student soloists each year. More Information >>
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Piano Chamber Players
Piano Chamber Players provides opportunities for pianists to participate in piano quartets, trios, duos and duets, vocal accompanying, and mixed chamber ensembles. Students meet weekly to explore literature, and prepare for performances on and off campus. While all piano primaries participate, the ensembles are open to other qualified students upon audition.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Beverly Smoker, director (585) 389-2696
bsmoker5@naz.edu
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Saxophone Ensemble
The saxophone quartet/ensemble accepts anyone who is interested in performing in the ensemble. Saxophone quartet usually consists of a soprano, alto, tenor and bari saxophones. The saxophone ensemble is formed when students register a group of 6 or more. The repertoire for the ensemble consists of transcriptions and original saxophone quartet pieces. Performances are given each semester. The group meets with the director once a week in addition to the students' own rehearsals.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Chisato Eda Marling, director (585) 389-2700
ceda8@naz.edu
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Low Brass Choir
The Nazareth College Low Brass Choir is a chamber ensemble open to all low brass students at Nazareth, whether they are music majors or not. The LBC meets once a week on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00, and maintains an active on and off campus performance schedule. Members gain valuable ensemble, musical, and technical advancement through the study, rehearsal, and performance of standard low brass choir repertoire, arrangements, and new works by living composers. The Nazareth College Low Brass Choir is open to tubists, trombonists, and euphonium players, as well as members of the community.
For more information please contact:
Chris Van Hof, director (585) 389-2700