MUSIC AND FINE ARTS ENSEMBLES

For more than 70 years, the chorus has been the voice of Florida College–always dedicated to excellence. The Florida College Chorus performs a wide variety of both sacred and secular literature. Each spring the ensemble conducts a week-long tour to different parts of the country, performing in such cities as Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Chicago. Sacred songs are then recorded and released on CD.

Chorus meets every weekday at 1 p.m. for college credit under the direction of Dr. Jon Bassett, who has directed the FC Chorus since 2001. Being in such an ensemble provides a great way to connect to other students, explore your love and talent for singing, and ultimately edify others and magnify God with your voice. The Florida College chorus is selected by audition and is open to both music and non-music majors

AUDITION INFORMATION

Students may audition for the Chorus on the Sunday afternoon and evening immediately before classes begin for the fall semester. Auditions are open to all students regardless of their major. If you would like to audition, please sign up below or on the Chorus Room door, King 223.

What you can expect at your audition:

• Sight read the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass line of a hymn. You will have one minute to practice it on your own before you sing it for your audition.
• Sing the melody of “This Is My Father’s World” beginning on your choice of either C (lower voices) or Eb (higher voices).
• Hear a series of four to five notes played on the piano. You will sing them back on a neutral syllable (e.g. “la”) to test your tonal memory skills.
• Audition packets with detailed instructions will be available when you arrive on campus.

We are looking forward to hearing you sing!

The Chamber Singers is a select group that mostly includes vocal majors but also invites students with high vocal and sight reading skills from all disciplines. Their repertoire spans the history of music, from Renaissance Madrigals to Vocal Jazz and everything in between. Besides the Madrigal Dinners and concerts, the group periodically presents concert versions of musicals. A goal of the ensemble is to give students and audiences a chance to experience smaller vocal ensemble music with high emphasis on musicality and interpretation.

In summer 2021, the group competed in the prestigious Anton Bruckner Choral Festival in Linz, Austria, where they took home a Silver Medal in the Mixed Ensemble Category.

When students audition for chorus, they are also considered for the Chamber Singers. Following the chorus auditions, Professor Moore will contact individuals for further conversations and a possible second round of auditions

The Florida College String Ensemble is an opportunity for string players to make music together. The ensemble performs two concerts each year, as well as playing in the pit orchestra of the annual Florida College musical, with the chorus on tour, and in social functions around the school and community.

A scholarship is available for students that wish to join the string ensemble.

The Florida College Jazz Ensemble performs many kinds of music including swing, Latin, rock, and funk. Whether you played these forms of music in high school or not, this ensemble is a great means for unique self-expression while exploring various popular styles.

Members must also be enrolled in Wind Ensemble, with the exception of vocalists and rhythm section players who have no concert band experience.

ACADEMIC CREDIT

The academic credits from Jazz Ensemble classes count as electives toward graduation requirements. Students can still participate in the jazz ensemble without enrolling in it if they have already registered for 16 credits, in order to avoid the $470+ tuition fee for each credit hour above a semester load of 16 credits. Participation will then not be reflected on a college transcript, unless a student is a music major. A student can still receive a Band scholarship if they fully participate in a Band course without being enrolled in it.

The Florida College Wind Ensemble performs some of the best literature written for the medium, most of it written for and recorded by professional and collegiate ensembles. Whether you were a member of an all-state or honor band or just loved making music with your friends in high school, there is a role for you to play in this ensemble.

Students enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn and perform advanced music with fellow Christians from all over the world. The Wind Ensemble performs at Fall and Spring concerts and also at home men’s varsity basketball games as the Florida College Falcons Pep Band.

ACADEMIC CREDIT

The academic credits from Wind Ensemble classes count as electives toward graduation requirements. Students can still participate in the ensemble without enrolling in it if they have already registered for 16 credits, in order to avoid the $470+ tuition fee for each credit hour above a semester load of 16 credits. Participation will then not be reflected on a college transcript, unless a student is a music major. A student can still receive a Band scholarship if they fully participate in a Band course without being enrolled in it.

The FC Accents are an A Capella group on campus that specializes in the jazz and pop genres. The tight harmonies that you hear in the group are sung by elite vocalists chosen by audition each year to perform on and off campus throughout the school year. This small group of 6-8 singers provides an unique opportunity for students to develop their ability to sing harmony, blend with a small group, and allows for more occasions to sing a solo as part of an ensemble.