Ensembles
Instrumental
- Cal Poly Symphony
- Guitar Ensemble
- Mustang Band (marching/pep band)
- Clarinet Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- University Jazz Bands
- Wind Orchestra
- Wind Ensembles
- Brass Ensembles
- Trombone Choir
- String Ensembles
- Arab Music Ensemble
- Piano Ensemble
Choral
- PolyPhonics
- University Singers
- Early Music Ensemble
- Cal Poly Vocal Jazz (not offered every year)
- Student Opera
Clarinet Ensemble
The Cal Poly Clarinet Ensemble class emphasizes chamber music playing, either in trios, quartets or a larger choir setting. Particular attention is given to developing listening skills that will enable the students to play as a cohesive ensemble. Improved intonation, balance, technique and musicality are the goals for each group regardless of the size of the ensemble.
Repertoire ranges from original music written for Clarinet Choir to arrangements of symphonic works. This year they have performed Michael Kibbe’s arrangement of Mendelssohn’s Symphony #4 (Italian) as well as works by Piazzolla, Presser, Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Frankenpohl and Tedesco.
The Clarinet Ensemble participates in the Cal Poly instrumental recitals each quarter as well as giving their own recital during the Spring Quarter. They have participated in concerts at the Mission the past two years and have been the invited performance ensemble for the San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra fall concert.
Percussion Ensemble (not offered fall quarter)
The Cal Poly Percussion Ensemble is intended to broaden the experience of those interested in performing on a range of percussion instruments. The ensemble has performed the "African Welcome Piece" with the Cuesta Master Chorale, in addition to transcribing violin works, such as Vivaldi and Bach concertos.
Other works have included drum set, and unusual sound effects such as bamboo wind chimes, and cimbalom (Hungarian dulcimer).
We were fortunate to be a part of the Cal Poly Symphony's Spring Concert spring quarter 2004. Clifton Swanson conducted the group for the last time, and the percussion section was featured on the "Hary Janos Suite" by Zoltán Kodály.
For more information on Sears and to contact him, please visit http://music.calpoly.edu/sears.html
Brass Ensembles
The members of the Brass Ensembles include Cal Poly students from a variety of majors. Several groups comprise the ensembles, including the University Brass Quintet I and II, Brass Trio, and Brass Choir.
The Brass Ensembles perform concerts each quarter, and are also featured on the annual "A Night at the Mission" Chamber Ensemble Concert.
Trombone Choir
The Trombone Choir is directed by Music Department faculty member Roy Main.
The choir is made up of approximately 20 Cal Poly students from a variety of majors. Both tenor and bass trombonists comprise the group.
Some of the ensemble's regular performances include a holiday concert in December at San Luis Obispo's Farmers' Market and the "Night at the Mission" Chamber Ensemble Concert in February.
String Ensembles
Several string chamber groups are active each quarter through the String Ensembles program. These groups involve students from many majors on campus, and range from string trios, quartets and quintets to chamber groups that also include piano or wind instruments.
These chamber ensembles perform on a yearly "Evening of String Music" recital as well as for school functions, professional engagements and student recitals.
The String Ensembles are coordinated by Dr. David Arrivée, conductor of the Cal Poly Symphony. Each group is coached by Dr. Arrivée and periodically by other faculty and outside artists including Kathleen Lenski and Michael Nowak. For more information on the String Ensembles, contact Dr. Arrivée.
Student Opera
Participation and registration of singers and instrumentalists by audition and the recommendation of the conductor, producer and musical directors. Auditions for roles in the annual spring quarter productions are held the end of fall quarter. The one-act operas are double cast to allow maximum participation, and are performed fully staged and directed in Cal Poly’s Spanos Theatre, with costumes and orchestra. Operas recently performed include Mozart's "The Impresario" and Haydn's "The Apothecary." For more information, contact the directors: Jacalyn Kreitzer and Katherine Arthur.
Arab Music Ensemble
The Arab Music Ensemble performs the art and popular music of a wide range of Arabic-speaking societies while particularly focusing on the areas around the Eastern Mediterranean. Arab art music has intersected substantially with folk and religious musical traditions and has benefited deeply from the contributions of interconnected social groups including men and women of diverse ethnic, religious, and philosophical backgrounds. It also has connected historically to neighboring cultures of the larger region including those of Iranian (Persian) and Turkish (Ottoman) music. The repertoire of the Arab Music Ensemble comprises pieces ranging from the Ottoman era up to the present. The music is rooted in the traditional systems of melodic and rhythmic modes ( maqam and iqa` systems), and takes the form of instrumental improvisation ( taqsim ), vocal improvisation ( layali and mawwal ), and pre-composed works in many formal genres (e.g., dulab , sama`i , muwashshah , and qasida ). Students sing and perform instrumentally in a chamber music ensemble ( takht ) as well as in a larger orchestra ( firqa ). The traditional instruments employed include the `ud (lute), kamanja (violin), qanun (zither), nay (reed flute), riqq or daff (tambourine), darabukka or tabla (goblet drum), and others. Consistent with developments in composition and performance practice over the past century, the ensemble also employs instruments adapted from Euro-American traditions including the contrabass, violoncello, accordion, electric guitar, and drum set as well as Latin percussion, brass instruments, and others. Participation in the ensemble is open to all Cal Poly students and community members. Previous experience is not required. Performances include a formal concert at the end of each quarter and additional concerts in different configurations for other occasions.