Each year, more than 500 students (approximately 20% of the student body) actively participate in music classes, ensembles, and private or class lessons. Performing ensembles, under the leadership of some of the finest collegiate directors in the country, are open to all Trinity students by audition. Individual instruction in voice, piano, organ, or any band or orchestral instrument is available from faculty artist-performers, many of whom also are members of the San Antonio Symphony. Students are also exposed to a wide variety of musical events in San Antonio and to guest conductors, composers, and soloists of international repute who visit the campus annually under the auspices of the Stieren Arts Enrichment Fund.
The department of music is located in the Ruth Taylor Music Building, which is undergoing a $20 million renovation to be completed in early 2006, and features a 320-seat concert hall, sound-proof practice facilities containing both grand and studio pianos and a pipe organ, classrooms and teaching studios. The adjoining Laurie Auditorium, with a seating capacity of 3,000, is used for symphony concerts and a diverse schedule of visiting performers, groups and lectures. Other facilities include an electronic music studio, teaching studios and a large instrumental rehearsal hall. Facilities in the Margarite B. Parker Chapel include a 108 rank Hofmann-Ballard organ, teaching studios, and a large choral rehearsal hall and library.
Students need not major or minor in music to be an active member of any of the performing groups. For students interested in a concentration in music, a minor and several major programs are available. Music degrees include the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Music in Performance or in Composition, and a five-year program in music education leading to the Bachelor of Music in Choral or Instrumental Music, culminating in the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. The department of music is a full institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the national accrediting agency for schools and departments of music in American colleges and universities.
· Faculty includes scholars and performing artists of the highest caliber.
· Trinity's music ensembles are open to all students by audition.
· Ensemble tours have included cities across the United States and Europe.
· Students work closely with faculty in small classes and individual instruction.
· Composition students have their works performed by both student and professional ensembles, on and off campus.
· Piano and vocal study include individual instruction, weekly studio classes, and the chance to perform in master classes with guest clinicians.
· A limited number of music scholarships are available each year. All full-time students enrolled in or accepted for admission to Trinity are eligible to apply for music scholarship consideration.
Music Ensembles
Trinity Choir has the proud heritage of being the oldest music ensemble on campus and performs music chosen from the finest sacred and secular choral repertoire. In addition to traveling extensively within Texas and neighboring states, tours have taken the Trinity Choir to California, Arizona, Mexico, Romania, and most recently to Germany and the Czech Republic. With singers majoring in music as well as many other areas of study, the Trinity Choir reflects the diversity of Trinity University's student population and its commitment to a liberal arts curriculum.
Chamber Singers is a select mixed vocal ensemble comprised of members from the Trinity Choir. The 16-voice ensemble specializes in 15th through 20th-century music written for smaller vocal ensembles including madrigals, part songs, and vocal jazz arrangements. In addition to concert performances on campus and in the community, the group tours with the Trinity Choir each spring.
University Chorus is a mixed choir comprised of students representing many areas of study,
which performs secular and sacred music spanning five centuries. In addition to participation in fall and spring concerts, the University Chorus combines with the Trinity Choir to perform the popular Christmas Vespers candlelight "lessons and carols" service each year, which is Trinity's longest-standing music tradition.
Choral Union is a mass choir of 130-175 singers made up of students from the Trinity Choir and University Chorus as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and community singers. The ensemble collaborates with the Trinity Symphony Orchestra each year to perform a choral/orchestral masterwork.
Trinity Symphony Orchestra performs a wide variety of orchestral works from classical to contemporary. The Symphony Orchestra is a student ensemble comprised of string, wind, and percussion players from the entire student body. The orchestra presents several annual concerts featuring string and full orchestra music from the classics to 20th century works. The ensemble frequently hosts guest artists and collaborates with the Trinity Choral Union.
Trinity Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs a variety of works for winds and percussion, including traditional marches, representative works from the standard wind band repertoire, and contemporary works of distinction. In addition to two campus performances per semester, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble takes a biannual tour and provides music for ceremonies for the university. The 2002-2003 ensemble includes 20 former Texas All-State players and many former All-Area and Region players.
Trinity Jazz Ensemble is a traditional big band consisting of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, and guitar). Traditional and contemporary styles are represented in the ensemble's performances, including swing, bossa, ballad, samba, and rock. In addition to campus performances, the Jazz Ensemble performs at various functions throughout San Antonio and southwest Texas, and undertakes a biannual tour.
Other ensembles include Opera Workshop, the Parker Handbell Choir, and various trios, quartets, or small ensembles organized for special programs.
Graduates of the program frequently go on to graduate study at prestigious schools of music, and are successful in a broad range of music careers.
Recent graduates include:
Anthony Barrese, composer, opera vocal coach (M.M., New England Conservatory)
Justin Merritt, composer (D.M.A., Indiana University)
Dawn Padula, singer, voice teacher (M.M., Manhattan School of Music, D.M.A. candidate at the University of Houston)
Brian Nelson, composer (graduate student, M.M program, University of Michigan)
Rick Adams, singer (graduate vocal study at the Julliard School of Music) toured with the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera
The department is proud of its 100 percent placement rate for graduates of the M.A.T. in music education in teaching positions immediately following the completion of their program.
Dr. Ken Greene, Chair
Department of Music
(210) 999-8212
kgreene2@trinity.edu
www.trinity.edu/departments/music/index.html