Ensemble Auditions

Fall 2020 Ensembles - Online Instruction

Our top priority as a department this fall is student and instructor safety, while also finding innovative and creative solutions to the central problem: Making music together without spread of the coronavirus. Because Alameda County has been put on the State’s monitoring list and continues to have rising COVID-19 cases, the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District has significantly scaled back the number of classes that can meet in-person. This means that all LPC ensemble classes (previously scheduled as hybrid courses with appropriate social distancing) will be converting to be taught fully online and will no longer include any regular on-campus meetings.  

While we as your music faculty are disappointed to not be teaching live ensembles after mountains of careful planning, we are also not surprised or caught off guard by this decision. All of us have been preparing several versions of each class, including the “just in case” model that moves fully online. Our ensembles will have a multitude of options for making music together while fully utilizing modern technology, including (but not limited to):

• Collaborative cloud-based recording assignments
• Trials and implementation of very low-latency software that allows synchronous playing and singing with minimal lag
• Score study and research projects on composers and arrangers in historically marginalized communities
• Weekly technical, musicianship, and skill-building exercises
• Exploration of state-of-the-art distance learning softwares, tailored to ensemble instrumentation
• Virtual ensemble recordings and videos
• The continuation of the strong and vital communities within all of our ensembles.

We are legitimately excited to explore new ways of teaching and learning that, in some ways, may be just plain better than traditional methods. It is our stated goal to create a successful, meaningful, creative, and engaging semester for every single student.

Enrollment

Auditionees must enroll in their desired ensemble(s) before auditions are held to guarantee availability and placement. Visit Admissions & Records to complete enrollment in ensembles. Auditioned ensemble class codes are:

• MUS 11, 17A/17B - Jazz Combos
  • Th - 2:30-3:45pm
• MUS 41 - Instrumental Chamber Music
  • Wed - 6:00-8:50pm
• MUS 45 - Chamber Choir
  • Th - 4:00-5:50pm
• MUS 46 - Vocal East Jazz Ensemble
  • Wed - 4:00-5:50pm

Vocal Audition Requirements

Chamber Choir and Vocal East Ensemble Auditions will be held remotely on Aug. 17-19, 2020 between 4:00-5:50pm via Zoom call. Individual auditions are required for ensemble placement, including for returning members.

Please read through and fill out prior to your audition:

Vocal Ensemble Auditions - Google Forms

Additionally, sign up for the 10-minute audition slot of your choosing here: 

Vocal Auditions Sign-Ups

Here are example resources and suggestions for audition repertoire: 

Example Resources - Vocal Auditions

Instrumental Audition Requirements

MUS 41 - Instrumental Chamber Music - W - 6:00-8:50pm

• Dr. Leslie LaBarre, Director
• llabarre@laspositascollege.edu 

• Please see the following link for MUS 41 auditions: https://forms.gle/GEbbHQwPRxZq22RSA
• Instrumental Chamber Music Ensemble will be held remotely on Wednesday,  August 21, 2020 at 6:00pm-8:50pm during the second half of the first rehearsal  via Zoom call. Individual auditions are required for ensemble placement, including for returning members.

MUS 11, 17A/17B - Jazz Combos - Th - 2:30-3:45pm

• For audition requirements, contact Ryan Manzi, Director
• rmanzi@laspositascollege.edu

Non-Auditioned Ensemble Classes

The following ensemble classes do not require auditions - anyone is welcome and able to join regardless of experience level:

MUS 44 - Concert Choir - Tu - 6:00-7:30pm

• Ash Walker, Director
• awalker@laspositascollege.edu

MUS 48 - Improvisation Lab - Th - 6:00-8:50pm

• Tim Devine, Instructor
• tdevine@laspositascollege.edu

Questions?

 After reading all available information thoroughly, any remaining questions may be directed to Ian Brekke (ibrekke@laspositascollege.edu) or Dan Marschak (dmarschak@laspositascollege.edu)