Performance Ensembles
Meredith's Department of Music offers performance opportunities including four choral groups, a flute ensemble and the Meredith Sinfonietta.
Performing groups at Meredith are:
Choral Ensembles at Meredith
Kevin Badanes, Director of Choral Activities
All choral ensembles receive 1 unit of credit per semester which are applicable humanities requirements in the General Education Core. Choral Ensembles are open to all students regardless of major.
Meredith Chorale, the College's premiere vocal performing ensemble, is an auditioned ensemble of approximately 30-35 outstanding women. Meredith Chorale embarks upon a spring tour each year; therefore, a year-long commitment is ideal. Meredith Chorale is called upon to sing at various off-campus events as well as on-campus concerts, convocations and Chapel services. Meredith Chorale performed at the North Carolina Music Educator's Convention in November of 1998 and 2004, as well as at the North Carolina State American Choral Directors Association Conference in 2002.
- Listen to an audio clip from Thompson's Alleluia, from Meredith College's recent choral CD!
Place an order for the Meredith Sings Choral CD!
Meredith Chorus (College Choir) is open to all students; no audition is required. The Chorus is a large ensemble of women that practices three times per week. Two concerts and at least one chapel service are performed every semester. A variety of excellent choral literature is programmed.
Encore! is Meredith College's small ensemble. This ensemble of eight to ten women sing early music, jazz, barbershop, gospel, and other close harmony music intended for performance by a small ensemble. Encore frequently tours in the spring with Chorale, and similarly, a year-long commitment is preferable. Students with majors in a vocal area wishing to participate in Encore are required to sing in Chorale as well to ensure a rounded choral curriculum. Encore is frequently asked to sing off-campus throughout the year. Membership in Encore is determined by audition.
Chapel Choir is open to anyone in the Meredith community. The ensemble has created a sense of community across the campus as singers from every class and a variety of departments and offices come together and sing. Chapel Choir leads worship twice per month in Jones Chapel. The ensemble is conducted by Lisa Fredenburgh and the advanced conducting and music education students. This is a co-curricular ensemble and carries no credit. No audition is required.
Choral Auditions
Auditions are held for the Fall Semester on the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday previous to the first day of classes. For participation during Spring semester, auditions will be announced.
Although an audition is not required for all groups, auditions are highly recommended so the conductor may place each singer in the most appropriate group.
The audition procedure is as follows:
- Sing a song of your choosing. It can be an art song, aria, hymn or folk song.
- Sing 1-2 sight-reading examples.
- Sing vocal exercises and tonal memory exercises to show range and ear.
- You may be asked to sing against a harmonic line to demonstrate your part independence.
For an audition time, please come by Dr. Kevin Badanes' office (110 Wainwright) anytime during the week previous to the auditions and sign up. You may also call (919) 760-8577 or email BadanesK@meredith.edu to schedule an audition.
Pamela Nelson, director
Flute Ensemble is open to both flute majors and non-majors who have played at least two years in their high school band or an equivalent ensemble and have the instructor's permission, or who are taking flute lessons and have the instructor's permission.
The goal of this ensemble is to develop and refine the highest standards of flute ensemble playing within its members. This includes ensemble musicianship, rhythmic accuracy, pitch sensitivity, and performance of a variety of musical styles from Baroque to contemporary. Emphasis will be on original works for flute choir and smaller flute ensembles, depending on the membership of the ensemble.
Auditions: Flute ensemble is a selective musical organization. Membership, as well as placement within the group, is by audition only and at the discretion of the instructor.
For more information, please contact Pamela Nelson at (919) 760-8509 or nelsonp@meredith.edu.
Jim Waddelow, conductor
All instrumental ensembles receive 1 unit of credit per semester which are applicable humanities requirements in the General Education Core. Instrumental Ensembles are open to all students regardless of major.
The Meredith Sinfonietta, under the direction of Dr. Jim Waddelow, is comprised of both music majors and non-music majors. Students in the orchestra typically represent most academic areas across the entire campus.
The ensemble is dedicated to performing a high level of orchestral literature that includes traditional string works and chamber symphonic works. Recent performances have represented works by Corelli, Handel, Elgar, Bartòk, and Hindemith. Early symphonies by Haydn, Mozart, and Stamitz are also a staple of the repertoire, and "pops" programming is also regularly featured by the orchestra.
The orchestra performs on campus and beyond, with recent performances in North Carolina, as well as Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana. Frequent collaborations with other Meredith ensembles and faculty members are a tradition. Ed Stephenson (guitar), Margaret Evens (piano), Risa Poniros (voice), and Kent Lyman (piano) are recent faculty members to perform with the ensemble. Collaborations have included the Meredith Choirs, Chapel Hill Men’s Choir, and the Meredith Opera Workshop.
Auditions for the Meredith Sinfonietta are held at the beginning of each semester. Please prepare two excerpts, one featuring a lyrical passage that demonstrates tone and another technical passage that demonstrates appropriate kinesthetic proficiency. Appropriate sight-reading is also expected.
For more information please contact Dr. Jim Waddelow at 919-760-8579 or via e-mail at Waddelow@meredith.edu
