University Choir

For Audition Information, contact:
Dr. Lawrence Sisk
(815)836-5405
siskla@lewisu.edu


Lewis University Choir is an SATB ensemble that specializes in early music and new music. Rehearsals are held in Ives Hall on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30. Performances, on and off-campus, are common throughout the academic year. The choir is directed by Dr. Lawrence Sisk, chairman of the Music Department.

Dr. Sisk believes that the primary role of the choir in a mission-based university with a strong Catholic identity is to act as curator of the great treasure of sacred art music bequeathed to us by the composers of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Since plainsong and polyphony no longer have a place in modern worship, it falls to the academy to present this music in concert and to foster ensembles that train future choirmasters and composers of liturgical music.

There are openings for singers in all sections (SATB) with:

  • The ability to sing on pitch and integrate their voices with the ensemble
  • Ability to read musical notation
  • Previous choral experience in high school, college, church, or community choirs
  • Ability to understand and carry out musical directions
  • Interest in serious choral music, particularly early music and new music
  • Commitment to the ensemble's rehearsal and performance schedule


    • Dr Sisk's experience includes more than 30 years as a choral conductor and membership in groups such as the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Lyric Opera Chorus, and Music of the Baroque. Since 1991 he has also been Music Director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, which has grown to an ensemble of 70 musicians with a season of 9 concerts a year. As both a musicologist and a composer, Dr. Sisk is committed to reviving early music and fostering new music at the higest aesthetic level. As an educator, he is committed to developing a choral ensemble that will provide students with the best musical experience available.

    Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra

    For Audition Information, contact:
    Dr. Lawrence Sisk
    (815)836-5405
    siskla@lewisu.edu

    mysomusic The Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) seeks to promote and challenge talented orchestral musicians by providing an opportunity to perform repertoire of a wide variety of styles and historical periods with the goal of musical excellence. Membership in MYSO consists of junior high and high school students from surrounding communities as well as students from Joliet Junior College and Lewis University

    MYSO performs several times throughout the year on and off campus.

    Website



    Vocal Jazz Ensemble

    For Audition Information, contact:
    Jeremy Landig
    (815)836-5619

    The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a mixed ensemble of eight to twelve voices that is open to all students by audition only. The group rehearses M-W from 4:00 to 5:15pm. In addition to special programs on and off campus, the choir performs a major concert at the end of each semester. As scheduling permits, the ensemble travels to high schools in the Chicago area to give presentations, workshops, and programs.

    Repertory includes jazz arrangements of standard songs, occasional original pieces and arrangements together with pop and show favorites. The group sings acappella and with rhythm, bass, and keyboard accompaniment. The vocal Jazz Ensemble is directed by Mr. Jeremy Landig.

    Percussion Ensemble

    For Audition Information, contact:
    Terrance Peeples
    (815)836-5619

    photo credit: Kristina Powers

    Percussion Ensemble is a class that explores all things percussion. Students explore rhythm through diverse genres of music including ethnic world beats, jazz, concert, and others. In addition, students learn about chord structure, comping, and improvisation along with standard percussion techniques. Students perform on all types of percussion instruments from mallet instruments to ethnic instruments to concert instruments and everything in between. The ensemble is under the direction of Mr. Terrance P. Peeples.

    Jazz Combo

    For Audition Information, contact:
    Steve Jacobson
    (815)836-5415
    jacosteve@gmail.com

    The Jazz Combo is an ensemble that explores small group jazz literature, via a focus on the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic tools common to the genre, with an emphasis on improvisation. The ensemble is open to all students/instruments by audition only, meeting Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00pm under the direction of Steve Jacobson.

    Although the ultimate goal of the Jazz Combo is an end of semester recital, the ensemble is occasionally invited to perform both on and off campus.

    University Jazz Band

    For Audition Information, contact:
    Tom Drake
    (815)836-5619
    drakeav@aol.com

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