Growth of Small Student-Run Ensembles
Throughout the past few years, the Department of Music has seen a rise in small, student-run ensembles. Created by students interested in expanding their playing experience beyond the realm of traditional ensembles, these musical groups function as educational tools and fun entertainment around the Newark community. From the swingin’ sounds of Amstel Avenue Jazz to the more traditional tones of the Blue Hen String Quartet, these ensembles suggest a particular dedication and passion on behalf of the students that create them.
- Blue Hen String Quartet
The Blue Hen String Quartet was founded in August 2006 as the pilot group for ProjectMUSIC. The group consists of music education and performance majors interested in becoming teaching-artists. In the group’s pilot year, the members consisted of Erin Flynn and Janice Nieves on violin, Sam Peters on viola, and Deni Shahu on violoncello. The second year consisted of Janice Nieves and Robin Alfieri on violin, Sam Peters on viola, and Kathryn Makos on violoncello. The Blue Hen String Quartet rehearses twice a week: once by themselves and once with their coach, Dr. Brian Stone. Their repertoire consists of traditional folk pieces arranged by composers Gracin Dorsey and Joshua Green (UD music majors), as well as classical repertoire. Both classical and traditional pieces are used in regular presentations given at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School for ProjectMUSIC. The group combines these pieces with lessons developed under the guidance of Dr. Suzanne Burton to teach musical skills and concepts to the students. Most notably, the group has been featured as part of ProjectMUSIC in UDaily and a local segment on PBS. Now in its third year, the group will consist of Stephan Labelle and Stephanie McCord on violin, Ashley Martelli on viola, and Heather O’Mara on violoncello.
Shades of Brass is one of the newest student music group to hit the Department of Music. This brass quintet is made up of Christopher Vitale and Trevor Sindorf on trumpet, Jessica Santiago on horn, Tim Plimpton on trombone, and Eric Daino on tuba. Though immersed in the department’s various ensembles, the members of Shades of Brass felt that there was not enough opportunity to play brass chamber music in those ensembles alone. With that in mind, Chris initiated the idea of a student-run brass quintet. The group runs their own regular rehearsals, generally twice per week, and secures its own performance opportunities. Dr. John Smith- the group’s faculty advisor of sorts- supplies the group with repertoire and is available to coach their rehearsals. In addition to gaining valuable playing experience and becoming familiar with chamber repertoire, the group enjoys the quintet experience simply because it is fun. Shades of Brass maintains a professional composure while still providing fun entertainment for eager audiences. The group collaborated with ProjectMUSIC and debuted at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. Since then, Shades of Brass has played for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s “Ameri-Fest” and hopes to perform on a General Student Recital, one of the department’s recital attendance requirements for all music majors. Adding a humorous legitimacy to its name, the group dons sunglasses upon introducing themselves to audiences. You can hear Shades of Brass at this year’s Newark Community Day, Sunday, September 14th on the University of Delaware Green and Main Street.