Photograph by Nicholas Chase.
Chamber Music
Talented and technically accomplished instrumentalists who aspire to a career in music should consider this program area. Graduates may reach goals as symphony musicians, private teachers, concert soloists, or band and orchestra conductors. Many go on to graduate school for further preparation.
Each student concentrates on developing performance skills on a selected brass, percussion, string, or woodwind instrument with assistance from faculty who have proven themselves as teachers and performing musicians. The curriculum emphasizes improvement, tone, musicianship, and technical mastery of the instrument.
During their last semester, students present a public recital, culminating their years of training at the department of music.
Performing ensembles are an important aspect of musical study in the Sonoma State University Music Department. Undergraduate majors must participate in ensembles each semester.
The Major ensemble for woodwind, brass and percussionists in the Applied, Liberal Arts and Music Education Concentrations is
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Major ensemble for string, guitar and piano players will be determined in consultation with the department chair and the area coordinator.
Students are highly encouraged to also include minor ensembles in their course of study. In some instances, permission will be granted to substitute a minor ensemble for a major ensemble. This should not exceed 2 semesters. Minor ensembles for vocalists in the Applied, Liberal and Music Education Concentrations are Chamber Singers and Gospel Choir. Minor ensembles for instrumentalists in the Applied, Liberal and Music Education Concentrations are Chamber Music, Chamber Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and the Jazz Ensembles.
The Navarro Trio, in residence, provides a model of excellence in performance and the teaching of chamber music.
Students involved with the Applied Music Concentration in Instrumental Performance must take MUS 401 Conducting Technique (2) as a music elective.
Ensemble/Performance Requirements for students in all concentrations; Applied, Liberal, Jazz Studies and Music Education.
The Music Department regards continuous experience in active music making to be an essential part of college music study. To provide this experience, the Department offers a wide range of ensembles both vocal and instrumental.
All music majors (Applied, Jazz Studies, Liberal Arts and Music Education) must declare a major performance medium (instrument or voice) upon entering their program of study.
All music majors will take studio instruction in their performing medium in accordance with their particular concentration (Applied, Jazz Studies, Liberal Arts and Music Education). It is department policy that music majors are required to study their major performance medium (instrument or voice) with an SSU faculty member or an approved instructor.
Students taking private lessons in voice, classical instruments, percussion and composition are required to register for the corresponding Repertoire Class.
Every music major, regardless of concentration, is required to be in one major performing ensemble during each semester of residence in which he or she plays his or her declared performance medium (instrument or voice).
In addition, all instrumentalists are required to participate in a major choral ensemble for one semester. Also, vocalists in the applied and music education concentrations must participate in a major instrumental ensemble for one semester.
Sonoma County is home to the Santa Rosa Symphony and other professional ensembles. The area offers students numerous ensemble, and solo performance opportunities. In addition to ensembles, a weekly forum provides majors with informal performance opportunities. This time is also used for master classes and performances by the faculty and guest artists.
