Requirements
Bachelor of Music Education
All candidates for the Bachelor of Music Education degree must complete the following number of semesters of each ensemble:
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Band majors must complete 7 semesters of Symphonic Band, 5 semesters of Concert Choir, and 2 semesters of Philharmonic String Orchestra playing a string instrument.
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Choral majors must complete 7 semesters of Concert Choir, 2 semesters of Symphonic Band, and 2 semesters of Philharmonic String Orchestra playing a string instrument.
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String majors must complete 7 semesters of Philharmonic String Orchestra, 5 semesters of Concert Choir, and 2 semesters of Symphonic Band.
Band and string track candidates must also complete 7 semesters of the chamber ensemble specific to their major instrument, and choral track candidates must complete 7 semesters of Chorale.
Candidates are required to perform in all concerts listed on the syllabus for each ensemble, presented at the beginning of each semester.
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Master of Music Education
All candidates for the Master of Music Education degree must complete two summer sessions of Concert Choir.
Candidates must also complete two summer sessions of the ensemble specific to their track:
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Band majors must complete two semesters of Symphonic Band.
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Choral majors must complete two semesters of Chorale.
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String majors must complete two semesters of Philharmonic String Orchestra.
If you are interested in performing in Jazz Band, please contact the Dean of Graduate Studies at rrhodes@vandercook.edu.
Candidates are required to perform in all concerts listed on the syllabus for each ensemble, presented at the beginning of each session.
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Teacher Certification Entitlement Program
All candidates in the Teacher Certification Entitlement Program (TCEP) must complete two fall or spring semesters of the major ensemble specific to their track.
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Band majors must complete two semesters of Symphonic Band.
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Choral majors must complete two semesters of Concert Choir.
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String majors must complete two semesters of Philharmonic String Orchestra.
Band and string track candidates must also complete two fall or spring semesters of the chamber ensemble specific to their major instrument, and choral track candidates must complete two fall or spring semesters of Chorale.
Candidates are required to perform in all concerts listed on the syllabus for each ensemble, presented at the beginning of each semester.
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Ensemble Descriptions
Fall and Spring Semesters
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band performs at all Large Ensemble Concerts, the Prism Concert, the Student Conductor Concert, and at Undergraduate Commencement, as well as at special events such as A Night at the Pops. In addition, the Symphonic Band performs at the annual Midwest Clinic held at McCormick Place in Chicago, and conducts a reading session at the Illinois Music Educators Association Conference. Many students perform on secondary instuments in the Symphonic Band, both to help balance out instrumentation and further their proficiency on another instrument. Repertoire ranges from the classics to new works fresh from the publisher. The Symphonic Band is conducted by Dr. Charles T. Menghini and Prof. Stacey L. Larson.
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Concert Choir
The Concert Choir performs at all Large Ensemble Concerts, the Prism Concert, the Student Conductor Concert, and at Undergraduate Commencement, as well as at special events such as A Night at the Pops. In addition, the Concert Choir performs with the Philharmonic String Orchestra at a special concert held at the Nativity of Our Lord church. This large choral ensemble specializes in singing some of the great works in choral literature. The Concert Choir is conducted by Dr. Robert L. Sinclair.
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Philharmonic String Orchestra
The Philharmonic String Orchestra performs at all Large Ensemble Concerts, the Prism Concert, the Student Conductor Concert, and at Undergraduate Commencement, as well as at special events such as A Night at the Pops. In addition, the Orchestra performs with the Concert Choir at a special concert held at the Nativity of Our Lord church. The Orchestra performs repertoire of many different styles and eras. The Orchestra is conducted by Prof. David Eccles.
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Chorale
The Chorale performs at all Medium Ensemble Concerts, at the Prism Concert, and at the Choir and Orchestra Concert held at the Nativity of Our Lord church. Made up of primarly vocal majors, the Chorale performs literature meant for smaller vocal ensembles without accompaniment. The Chorale is conducted by Dr. Robert L. Sinclair.
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Jazz Band
The Jazz Band performs at all Medium Ensemble Concerts, at the Prism Concert, and at special events throughout the city of Chicago. In addition, the Jazz Band makes an annual appearance at the Elmhurt College Jazz Festival, as well as at special events such as A Night at the Pops. The Jazz Band performs music from the big band era as well as newer works. The Jazz Band is directed by Prof. Tony Kidonakis.
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Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble only meets in the fall, and performs at the Prism Concert and at the Fall Medium Ensemble Concert. The Wind Ensemble is made up of primarily band majors on their major instrument, typically with one player on a part. The Wind Ensemble performs advanced wind band literature. The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Dr. Charles T. Menghini.
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Percussion Ensembles
Percussion Ensemble 1 is made up of percussion majors, while Percussion Ensemble 2 is made up of non-majors. Both ensembles perform at all Medium Ensemble Concerts, as well as at special events such as A Night at the Pops. Both percussion ensembles are directed by Prof. Kevin Lepper.
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Guitar Ensemble
The Guitar Ensemble performs at all Medium Ensemble Concerts and at the VCM Day of Guitar. The Guitar Ensemble is made up of all guitar majors as well as other guitar-proficient students. The Guitar Ensemble is directed by Dr. Julie Goldberg.
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Brass Ensembles
The Brass Ensembles perform at the Spring Medium Ensemble Concert, as well as at special events such as A Night at the Pops. The Brass Ensembles are made up of all brass majors. Both ensembles are directed by Dr. Leah Schuman.
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Small Ensembles
The VCM Small Ensembles meet on Tuesdays at 1PM for rehearsal. In the fall, these ensembles work on technical exercises, while in the spring, pieces are prepared for the Small Ensemble Concerts. These groups include:
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Flute Ensemble
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Clarinet Ensemble
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Saxophone Ensemble
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Double Reed Ensemble
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String Ensemble
These ensembles are instructed and directed by the corresponding applied lesson teacher.
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Summer Session
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band performs at both Graduate Ensemble Concerts during the summer, as well as at a special event at the Clarke House in the South Loop of Chicago. In addition, the Symphonic Band performs at the annual commencement excercises at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. Repertoire ranges from the classics to new works fresh from the publisher. The Symphonic Band is conducted by Dr. Charles T. Menghini and Prof. Stacey L. Larson.
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Concert Choir
The Concert Choir performs at both Graduate Ensemble Concerts during the summer. In addition, the Concert Choir performs at the annual commencement excercises at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. As the Concert Choir is made up of almost all of the full time graduate students at VanderCook, the ensemble specializes in singing some of the great works in choral literature. The Concert Choir is conducted by Dr. Robert L. Sinclair.
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Philharmonic String Orchestra
The Philharmonic String Orchestra performs at both Graduate Ensemble Concerts during the summer. In addition, the orchestra performs at the annual commencement excercises at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. Throughout the summer, the Orchestra performs repertoire of many different styles and eras. The Orchestra is conducted by Prof. David Eccles.
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Chorale
The Chorale performs at both Graduate Ensemble Concerts during the summer. In addition, the Chorale performs at the annual commencement excercises at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. The Chorale performs literature meant for smaller vocal ensembles without accompaniment. The Chorale is conducted by Dr. Robert L. Sinclair.
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Jazz Band
The Jazz Band performs at both Graduate Ensemble Concerts during the summer, as well as at a special event at the Clarke House in the South Loop of Chicago. The Jazz Band performs music from the big band era as well as newer works. The Jazz Band is directed by Prof. Tony Kidonakis.
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