Ensembles & Applied Lessons

Loyola's Music Program is comprised of an enthusiastic and passionate community of students and instructors who appreciate the art of music. The repertoire for each ensemble is challenging, diverse, and fun. You do not need to be a performing arts major or music minor to participate in a Music Program ensemble. Applied music lessons give students the opportunity to pursue private instruction in voice or the instruments of their choice.

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Choral/Vocal Ensembles
Instrumental Ensembles
Applied Lessons

Choral Ensembles

Concert Choir (MU 221/321)

Dr. Clay Price, Director of Choral Studies

Concert Choir is a large, mixed ensemble that performs a varied and challenging program of choral repertoire from across time and place. Known for their diverse repertoire, and for a blended, unified sound, Concert Choir is the department’s flagship choral ensemble, performing at venues both on and off campus. Rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:45 p.m. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.

Cantorei (MU 327)

Dr. Clay Price, Director of Choral Studies

Cantorei is a smaller vocal ensemble that specializes in the vocal jazz repertoire, delving into both traditional vocal jazz, jazz arrangements of popular tunes, and repertoire from the American Songbook. Participants must also be active members of the Concert Choir. An audition with the instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.

Audition Information

If you would like to receive a reminder about auditions and other information about Loyola's choral ensembles, email choirs@loyola.edu to be placed in our mailing list.

Instrumental Ensembles

Jazz Ensemble (MU 211/311)

Mr. Mark St. Pierre, Director

The Loyola Jazz Ensemble is open to all instrumentalists by audition. Repertoire includes classic and original jazz from the 1950s to the present. The repertoire is challenging but always rewarding. Working hard but enjoying the experience of making great music are the key elements of the ensemble. Jazz Ensemble rehearses Thursdays 4:30-6:00 p.m. Students interested in auditioning should contact Mr. Mark St. Pierre at mastpierre@loyola.edu. The ensemble may be taken for credit, 1.5 credits per semester.

Jazz Combo (MU 323)

Mr. Mark St. Pierre, Director

The Loyola Jazz Combo is a smaller ensemble comprised of four to eight selected members of the Loyola Jazz Ensemble. There is a greater emphasis on improvisation than the larger ensemble and greater demands are placed on the players to mold and shape the music in their own way. The combo plays often both on and off campus. Students interested in auditioning should contact Mr. Mark St. Pierre at mastpierre@loyola.edu. Jazz Combo may be taken for credit, 1.5 credits per semester.

Chamber Ensemble (MU 220/320)

Mr. David LaVorgna, Director

The Loyola Chamber Ensemble is comprised of small instrumental groups. Its makeup differs each semester based on the varying instrumentation of those enrolled in the course. Groups can be formed from combinations or variances of strings, woodwinds, brass, and piano. The repertoire offers a wide range of styles and periods to fit the enrolled instrumentation. The ensembles play a mixture of compositions including transcriptions, arrangements, and compositions in their original intended form. Students interested in auditioning should contact Mr. David LaVorgna at dlavorgna@loyola.edu. The ensemble may be taken for credit, 1.5 credits per semester.

Guitar Ensemble (MU 230/330)

Mr. Ian Hrdlicka, Director

Guitar Ensemble is designed for guitarists to perform in small groups of two to eight players. There are performance opportunities each semester. Guitar Ensemble rehearses Tuesdays 6:00-7:30 p.m. Students interested in auditioning should contact Mr. Ian Hrdlicka at iahrdlicka@loyola.edu. The ensemble may be taken for credit, 1.5 credits per semester. 

Steel Pan Ensemble (MU 231/331)

Mr. Barry Dove, Director

The Steel Pan Ensemble is a group specializing in repertoire from Trinidad and Tobago, where the steel pan originated. Panorama, transcription, calypso, soca, Latin, jazz, ragtime, classical, and island favorites are performed with a full steel pan orchestra. Students interested in auditioning should contact Mr. Barry Dove at bdjqdove@aol.com. The ensemble may be taken for credit, 1.5 credits per semester.

Applied Lessons

Whether you’ve never played an instrument, and always wanted to learn, or have been studying privately for years, private applied lessons are available in voice and most string, wind, and percussion instruments. (Note: Unless you are a pianist, you will need to have your own instrument to take lessons. If you don’t yet have one, our faculty can help you rent or buy one.) All of our applied lesson faculty are professional performers and excellent teachers.

Applied lessons can be taken for academic credit: 1 credit/semester for a 30-minute lesson (MU 360) and 1.5 for a 45-minute lesson (MU 361).

There are no auditions for lessons, and students at any level are welcome. Lessons are currently offered in the following:

• Bassoon - Phil Kolker (philkolkerstudio@gmail.com)
• Flute - David LaVorgna (dlavorgna@loyola.edu)
• Guitar - Ian Hrdlicka (iahrdlicka@jhu.edu)
• Bass Guitar - Shawn Simon (ssimon001@gmail.com)
• Percussion - Barry Dove (BDJQdove@aol.com)
• Piano - Wan-Chi Su (wsu@loyola.edu)
• Strings - Cathleen Jeffcoat (cmjeffcoat@loyola.edu)
• Voice - Julie Kurzava (juliekurzava@gmail.com) 

Don't see your instrument listed? Contact Dr. Price (cprice1@loyola.edu) to request an instructor for your instrument!