The Ensemble

The Ensemble at CalArts is an umbrella course for
conducted ensemble performance activities
consisting of faculty performers and student
musicians and is primarily devoted to the
exploration and exposition of emerging languages
in contemporary music as well as traditional
repertoire. The group's repertoire emphasizes new
forms of composition and collaborative directions
in concert music, experimental music,
improvisation, new media, and other arts. The
Ensemble frequently collaborates with
distinguished guest performers and composers, and
also reads, records and performs works by
advanced student composers. The Ensemble normally
performs at least one or two main concerts per
semester, with an emphasis on ensemble playing
and creativity. The size of The Ensemble varies
depending upon repertoire. Because programming
and repertoire varies, and because students may
play in one or many pieces, rehearsals for
multiple subgroups may be scheduled individually
to accommodate differing levels of performance
experience and the instrumentation needs for the
works to be performed. Students playing in
several pieces may be assigned to multiple
subgroups. The course is open to School of Music
students only. Non-School of Music students may
join by Permission of Instructor.