Chorale

Chorale is a large, non-auditioned choir under the direction of Dr. Daniel J. Hall. Providing a welcoming musical learning environment for singers of all levels, this ensemble meets during the school day. Chorale focuses on fundamental musicianship skills such as tonal memory and sight-reading while preparing music from all historical periods. The choir sings in a variety of languages and styles and often includes genres that are popular today. Chorale performs with the Madrigal Singers and String Ensemble on both winter and spring concerts.

Madrigal Singers

Madrigal Singers serve as Wyoming Seminary’s advanced vocal ensemble. Acceptance is by audition only. The Madrigal Singers perform music from all historical periods in a variety of languages and styles. With a rich tradition of touring, this choir has performed throughout the Eastern United States, Europe and China. In addition to campus concerts, the choir sings at area churches and schools. As an extracurricular ensemble, the Madrigal Singers currently rehearse on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

String Ensemble

The String Ensemble is directed by Christiane Appenheimer-Vaida (cello) and John Michael Vaida ‘00 (violin and viola). It provides string players with the opportunity to explore repertoire written specifically for their instruments. The directors’ expertise as string players enables them to address both technical and musical issues in detail and depth. The repertoire ranges from early baroque music to contemporary pieces in a variety of styles.

Civic Orchestra

The Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra is a high-quality ensemble comprised of professional musicians, music teachers, area college music majors and adult musicians in other fields, as well as high school students from Wyoming Seminary and other local schools. Under the direction of Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, the orchestra continues a tradition of excellence while stimulating an interest in classical music throughout the community.

Wind Ensemble

The wind ensemble, directed by Tyler Harvey ‘13, performs with the Jazz Band in two concerts each year and presents both popular and lesser-known pieces in the concert band tradition. This ensemble allows all wind, brass, percussion and keyboard players the chance to work in a large ensemble. Playing more modern music or modern arrangements of traditional band pieces, this ensemble allows students with a basic understanding of musicality to perform and succeed.

Jazz Ensemble

The Wyoming Seminary Jazz Ensemble, sometimes referred to as Jazz Band, is an after-school ensemble that rehearses one to two times per week. Led by Jamie Orfanella, this ensemble offers a glimpse into one of the few purely American art forms through the rehearsal and performance of jazz music. Ensemble members will encounter both large and small ensemble music as well as beginning jazz theory to aid in their reading of music, as well as their ability to improvise and create music ideas on the fly.

Percussion Ensemble

With a repertoire that features traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments, the Percussion Ensemble has a long history of performances that entertain and educate. Under the direction of Monica Spishock, the Percussion Ensemble has become a venue for those who wish to understand rhythm, learn more about percussion instruments, improve their percussion technique or improve their note-reading skills and overall musicianship. Percussion Ensemble invites pianists and other instrumentalists to explore the exciting world of percussion while using the skills they already have. In addition, the ensemble teaches percussionists important skills they need when participating in the school’s larger ensembles, such as Wind Ensemble and Orchestra.

In addition to the active music-making in the various ensembles, Sem offers a variety of Music Theory and Music History classes. These classes aim to enhance each student's understanding of music and deepen the experience. Most classes fulfill the Theory/History component of the Art requirement; Introduction to Musicianship and Vocal Methods fulfill the Studio component; and the Music Theory classes can serve as either component.

• Music Theory 1
• AP Music Theory
• Masterpieces of Music (an overview of Western Music)
• Music in Our World (an overview of music from around the world)
• History of Musical Theatre
• Creative Spirit (year-long course that combines music history, art history, and history of drama)
• Introduction to Musicianship
• Vocal Methods