FCC Music Ensembles

FCC”s performing ensembles are open to all FCC students, community members, and high school students through college credit or noncredit enrollment.  Our rosters include talented musicians from Frederick and surrounding areas.  All groups rehearse once weekly and have an on-campus concert each semester, in addition to other performing opportunities in the community.  For information regarding eligibility and placement, contact the director listed for each ensemble.
 

An FCC favorite, this ensemble has been producing memorable concerts for over 15 years. This group enjoys playing a variety of styles from classical favorites to jazz and world folk music, incorporating a full range of voices from piccolo to alto and bass flutes. Join us, as we celebrate our flute community. The class is open to both young musicians and adults at intermediate to advanced levels. Instructor contact: Jennifer Rundlett (240-675-0866.

 

FCC offers three different opportunities for students who would like to pursue playing jazz with other musicians! The FCC Jazz Ensemble meets on Wednesday evening and explores the best of Big Band favorite arrangers and composers. For those less experienced, we offer two different improvisation and jam groups on Monday evenings—a beginning and an advanced jazz workshop class. All groups perform an on-campus concert and sometimes perform for special community and College events. Students can enroll for either a credit or non-credit option. Contact Dr. Paula Chipman , Music Program Manager, for specific enrollment questions, and the instructors below for placement and/or audition information.

FCC’s Jazz Ensemble (Wednesday evenings) performs the best in big-band jazz. (Some prior experience in ensemble playing necessary.) Guest artists jam with the group and outside engagements bring additional chances to perform. Instructor contact: Howard Burns or 301.733.0859 br />
Beginning Jazz Workshop (Mondays at 7:15) is for those who are beginning their exploration of the world of Jazz. Discover the language of jazz improvisation and learn techniques for using jazz harmony and rhythms in an ensemble setting. Students should already be able to read music, play major scales on their instruments and possess some basic knowledge of music theory application on your instrument All instrumentalists welcome—any instrument you like to groove on! Instructor contact: Jordan Clawson or 540.303.2469

Advanced FCC jazz workshop (Mondays, 5 p.m.) is a continuation of beginner jazz workshop. As students will work on more complex songs and harmonic concepts they must be able to read music, play all major and minor scales on their instrument and already have knowledge of music theory including scales, arpeggios and chord symbols used in jazz. Previous experience in jazz ensemble playing is necessary. All instrumentalists welcome—any instrument you like to groove on! Instructor contact: Jordan Clawson or 540.303.2469.

 

FCC’s Percussion Ensemble takes full advantage of FCC’s Percussion Studio and its vast array of instruments. The Ensemble is open to all musicians with a love of percussion. In addition to performing standard percussion repertoire and transcriptions of rock, jazz, and popular music, the group explores percussion music from around the world. Ability to read music required. Previous ensemble experience on drums, keyboard, or auxiliary percussion recommended, but not required. Instructor contact: Greg Herron or 443.621.8694

 

Join FCC ’s Wind Ensemble and play great original concert band music by leading composers, and transcriptions of classics and standards. The class is open to college and community players with previous experience in high school or college/university bands, and to high school band players, with the director’s permission. Solo opportunities are available to qualified players. Even if you haven’t played recently, join the band and improve along with us! Instructor contact: Aaron Lovely or 703.401.8971.  

 

FCC students participate as part of the Choral Arts Society of Frederick and explore a wide variety of choral literature. Opportunities to perform with specific smaller groups, to solo with the choir, or to be a part of larger concerts featuring combined choirs with orchestra. Members of the group have even taken concert tours to Europe! Contact director Lynn Staininger or 240.405.7382 for more information about auditions and placement.

 

FCC String Ensemble is for beginning and returning music lovers and will explore music from the 1600's to present. Participants of all ages and experience levels are welcome to inquire; however, one year of prior study on an instrument is recommended. Participation in this ensemble will strengthen technique in a variety of areas, including bow placement, intonation, rhythm studies, chamber music performance and accompaniment. The student will also accomplish a basic understanding of music theory and orchestral markings. Instructor contact: Lynn Fleming or (301) 922-0398.

 

The Frederick Symphony Orchestra is a community orchestra which rehearses and performs at FCC. College students may enroll in Orchestral Ensemble to play with the orchestra through FCC’s credit program. Permission of the Music Program Manager and an audition is required.

Please see the FSO website www.fredericksymphony.org  for more information. The orchestra rehearses Thursday evenings at FCC.

 

Meet fellow music lovers by experiencing the joys and challenges of Handbell Choir. This group is open to adult and student musicians of all ages. Prior participation in a music ensemble (choir or instrumental group) is required; music reading skills are also required, especially the ability to count and read rhythms. The group will explore several bell and choir chime techniques through a wide variety of music from different time periods. Performance in on campus recital and other appearances in the community. Instructor contact: Barbara Scheffter or 301.512.8066.