/ There are many opportunities for instrumentalists — majors and non-majors alike — to participate in music performing groups at St. Norbert College.
From our top instrumental ensemble, Wind Ensemble, to our instrumental chamber ensembles, you have many options to get involved.
Director: Philip Klickman
Wind Ensemble is SNC's top instrumental ensemble, open to music majors and non-majors. The Wind Ensemble is dedicated to excellence in the performance of both traditional and contemporary wind and percussion literature. The group represents St. Norbert College through concert tours, exchange concerts and performance clinics. Having performed for music educators at the Wisconsin State Music Convention and the Wisconsin Alliance for Composers, the Wind Ensemble has toured the state of Florida and traveled to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands. Ensemble is available each semester and is repeatable.
View the audition information and materials for woodwind and brass players. Percussionists interested in auditioning should contact Philip Klickman at philip.klickman@snc.edu or 920-403-3114.
Director: Philip Klickman
Concert Band is open to all students, regardless of major, with no audition required. Typically consisting of non-music majors and music majors on secondary instruments, the atmosphere is designed for enjoyment while preparing instrumental arrangements to the best of the ensemble's ability. Band is available each semester and is repeatable.
Director: Eric High
The goal of Jazz Ensemble is the study and performance of jazz ensemble literature from a variety of styles and eras. All ensemble members are required to attend daily rehearsals, dress rehearsals and concerts. Smaller ensemble work is also offered through the jazz combo program and is organized based on instrumentation and student interest. All participants will work on the development of improvisational skills, effective musical style and teamwork. Ensemble is available each semester and is repeatable.
View the audition information and materials for Jazz Ensemble. Please contact Eric High at eric.high@snc.edu or 920-403-2940, for audition information and materials.
Director: Taylor Giorgio
String Orchestra is open to all students regardless of major. Participants are expected to have previous experience playing a string instrument and reading music. Course goals include the improvement of individual playing technique, and the study and performance of chamber and orchestral music written for strings. Prerequisite: instructor’s consent. Orchestra is available each semester and is repeatable.
Please contact Taylor Giorgio at taylor.giorgio@snc.edu or 920-403-3272, for audition information and materials.
A variety of chamber music ensembles are available to all students regardless of major. Participation is by the consent of the instructor and consists of weekly rehearsals, individual practice, and performances both on and off-campus. Groups include:
Note: Music majors and minors, as well as all students who were awarded a music scholarship or are enrolled in applied music lessons, must participate in a principal ensemble.
Our vocal program, just like our instrumental program, is dedicated to providing a variety of experiences for its members as well as the community. With Chamber Singers, Opera Workshop and Vocal Jazz Workshop, we have an ensemble for every student of music.
Music majors and minors, as well as all students who were awarded a music scholarship or are enrolled in applied music lessons, must participate in a principal ensemble.
Director: Sarah Parks
The Chamber Singers is a select ensemble of mixed voices, chosen each year by audition. The group is open to all students, regardless of major. Performing a wide variety of literature, from madrigals to major choral works, the Chamber Singers focus upon technical precision and sensitive musical interpretation. It’s an approach that has allowed the group to provide its members and the public with outstanding musical experiences. The Chamber Singers perform at St. Norbert Abbey, and they have toured both nationally and internationally. Premiering new works in the area has become a regularity for the Chamber Singers. Chamber is available each semester and is repeatable.
Directors: Sarah Parks
The Concert Choir consists of two ensembles: the Men’s Choir and the Women’s Choir. These groups perform as separate ensembles and combined as a large ensemble of mixed voices. Open to all students on campus with no audition required, these groups maintain a consistently high level of musicality and performance expertise. Participants in Concert Choir perform music of all styles and genres in a minimum of two on-campus concerts each semester. There are also many additional singing opportunities, such as combined choral/orchestral works with the Chamber Singers and small ensemble work. Choir is available each semester and is repeatable.
Director: Yi-Lan Niu
Opera Workshop participants study various genres of musical drama and vocal performance styles through staged presentations. Opera Workshop productions present scenes from, or full productions of, significant operatic works. During rehearsal, students are expected to be involved in all aspects of production, from the technical and directorial to actual performance. In recent years, opera workshop has performed John Gay’s “The Beggar’s Opera,” Jacques Offenbach’s “La Perichole,” and Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas.” Opera Workshop is open to all students through permission of the instructor. Opera is available each semester and is repeatable.
Vocal ensembles are designed around the interests of the participants – and perform in a variety of vocal styles: from madrigals, to vocal jazz, to contemporary a cappella music. These groups are usually student-led and driven, with a faculty advisor helping to guide the direction of each individual group. There are many performance opportunities available to these groups. Participation is by permission of the instructor. Chamber groups are available each semester and are repeatable.
Note: Music majors and minors, as well as all students who were awarded a music scholarship or are enrolled in applied music lessons, must participate in a principal ensemble.
Opportunities can vary from providing an instrumental or vocal prelude before each event or leading or accompanying sung prayer for a portion of or the entire service. Any instrumentalists or vocalists interested in these opportunities can contact Brian Fogarty, director of worship and liturgy, at brian.fogarty@snc.edu or 920-403-3010, or visiting the parish website.
Director: Kent Paulsen
Student performers are selected by audition each semester and present a variety of Broadway singing styles through public concerts and cabaret-style presentations. Participants need to commit to singing and choreographic rehearsals, as well as numerous local shows and touring performances.
Director: Kent Paulsen
The Dudley Birder Chorale of St. Norbert College has performed great choral masterworks from Renaissance to Jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music since 1978. With 150 mixed voices from more than 30 communities in Northeast Wisconsin, the chorale builds upon a long and distinguished tradition of choral music at St. Norbert College. The chorale performs three to four concerts annually.
Director: Philip Klickman
The St. Norbert Community Band presents two major concerts of music for concert band each year. The group was formed in order to provide an opportunity for outstanding musicians from northeast Wisconsin to experience the finest available band literature. Membership in the band is by invitation of the conductor, and is composed of friends, alumni and faculty of St. Norbert College.
Directors: Fr. Bradley Vanden Branden, O.Praem., and Devin Atteln
The Abbey Singers is an auditioned, paid group of singers who perform at approximately 10 Sunday Masses each semester at St. Norbert Abbey. All of the liturgies are scheduled ahead of time and each student is allowed an agreed-upon number of excused absences. The repertoire ranges from challenging polyphonic works of Palestrina and Victoria to contemporary Catholic music. It is not a requirement to be Catholic to audition for the ensemble. The group rehearses once per week, typically immediately following the Sunday Mass. The ensemble is active both fall and spring semesters.
Note: With current COVID-19 restrictions, St. Norbert Abbey is temporarily closed to the public. Abbey Singers will resume when the Abbey reopens.
