Department of Ensembles and Conducting
West Chester University,
West Chester, PA 19383
Department of Ensembles and Conducting
Andrew Yozviak, Chairperson
There are no programs leading to an undergraduate degree in ensembles and conducting. However, the department does offer undergraduate courses in this area.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Wells School of Music is to provide an inclusive, world-class education by engaging students in diverse and evolving degree programs that further artistic excellence and help students become valuable contributors to a greater society.
Vision Statement
The Wells School of Music will continue to develop quality and innovative programs to ensure student success. We will strive to build our standing as a cultural resource that begins in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and extends throughout the nation. Through performance and scholarship at the highest levels, our faculty will build national and international reputations that reflect on and contribute to the university community. As respected musicians, scholars, composers, performers, educators, and music therapists, our graduates will enter their respective fields with an entrepreneurial spirit that will foster innovation to meet the ever-changing landscape in the world of music.
All undergraduate students are held to the academic policies and procedures outlined in the undergraduate catalog. Students are encouraged to review departmental handbooks for program tips, suggested course sequences, and explanations of procedures. When applicable, additional policies for specific department programs may be listed below.
Professors
David P. Devenney (1996)
B.M., Iowa State University; M.M., University of Wisconsin-Madison; D.M.A., Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati
Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski (2008)
Diploma of Modern Languages, Numaz-Droz School (Switzerland); Prix de Trompette, Conservatoire de Musique de Tueil-Malmaison (France); M.M., University of Maine; D.M.A., Arizona State University
Marc M. Jacoby (2005)
B.M., Berklee College of Music; M.M., New England Conservatory of Music; M.M., Ph.D., Northwestern University
Ryan M. Kelly (2013)
B.M., Houston Baptist University; M.M., University of Oklahoma; D.M.A., Michigan State University
Andrew Yozviak (2009)
Chairperson, Ensembles and Conducting
B.S., West Chester University; M.M., Indiana University, Bloomington; D.M.A., Rutgers University
Instructors
Joseph Caminiti (2015)
B.A., Calvin College; M.M., Ithaca College
Jonathan C. Ragonese (2020)
B.M., M.M., Manhattan School of Music
AEB
AEB 112. Marching Band Front. 1 Credit.
Contact department for more information about this course.
Typically offered in Fall.
Repeatable for Credit.
AEB 301. Basketball Band. 1 Credit.
The Basketball Band is one of the athletic bands at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Participation is open to any university student who can perform on a wind instrument. The Basketball Band performs regularly at home basketball games and other university events during the spring semester. The course seeks to enable students to participate in engaging musical performances through the study and preparation of wind band literature. A successful audition is required for participation in the group.
Typically offered in Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AEB 311. Marching Band. 1 Credit.
Contact department for more information about this course.
Typically offered in Fall.
Repeatable for Credit.
AEB 321. Concert Band. 0.5 Credits.
The Concert Band is one of four concert wind bands at West Chester University of Pennsylvania open to majors and non-majors. The Concert Band regularly represents the university during campus concerts and events. The course seeks to enable students to participate in artistically engaging musical performances through the study and preparation of significant wind band literature. No audition is required for participation in the group.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AEB 331. Wind Symphony. 0.5 Credits.
The Wind Symphony is one of four concert wind bands at West Chester University of Pennsylvania open to majors and non-majors. The Wind Symphony regularly represents the university at regional conferences and performance tours. The course seeks to enable students to participate in artistically engaging musical performances through the study and preparation of significant wind band literature. A successful audition is required for participation in the group.
Pre / Co requisites: AEB 331 requires an audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AEB 341. Wind Ensemble. 0.5 Credits.
The Wind Ensemble is one of four concert wind bands at West Chester University of Pennsylvania open to majors and non-majors. The Wind Ensemble regularly represents the university at regional, national, and international conferences and performance tours. The course seeks to enable students to participate in artistically engaging musical performances through the study and preparation of significant wind band literature. A successful audition is required for participation in the group.
Pre / Co requisites: AEB 341 requires an audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AEB 351. Chamber Winds. 0.5 Credits.
The Chamber Wind Ensemble is one of four wind bands at West Chester University of Pennsylvania open to majors and non-majors. The Chamber Wind Ensemble regularly represents the university at regional, national, and international conferences as well as biennial European performance tours. The course seeks to enable students to participate in artistically engaging musical performances through the study and preparation of significant wind literature. A successful audition is required for participation in the group.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
AEO
AEO 111. Chamber Orchestra. 0.5 Credits.
To deepen students' musical understanding through string and chamber orchestral repertoire in rehearsal and performance. The course is designed to help develop the students' musical and professional skills in preparation for careers in music. Instruction in ensemble protocol, musicianship, and artistry are critical foci. The mission of this course is consistent with the Applied Music Department and curriculum. The mission of the Applied Music Department is to provide an environment that promotes excellence and diversity in our students' preparation for careers in performance as soloists/accompanist/ensemble members, private teachers, and coaches/conductors.
Pre / Co requisites: AEO 111 requires a successful audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AEO 341. Symphony Orchestra. 0.5 Credits.
Contact department for more information about this course.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AES
AES 151. Jazz Ensemble I. 0.5 Credits.
The Criterions is an ensemble with traditional big band instrumentation that performs jazz and jazz related music. Enrollment is determined by auditions scheduled at the start of the Fall semester.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AES 152. Jazz Ensemble II. 0.5 Credits.
Contact department for more information about this course.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AES 153. Latin Jazz Ensemble. 0.5 Credits.
The Latin Jazz Ensemble is a performance group that plays Afro-Cuban and Brazilian genres.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
AIC
AIC 311. Instrumental Conducting I. 2 Credits.
Contact department for more information about this course.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
AIC 312. Instrumental Conducting II. 2 Credits.
Contact department for more information about this course.
Pre / Co requisites: AIC 312 requires prerequisites of AIC 311 or VOC 311.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
AIM
AIM 429. Special Subjects Seminar. 1-3 Credits.
Contact department for more information about this course.
Repeatable for Credit.
ALC
ALC 361. A Survey of Band Literature. 1 Credit.
The course will provide a comprehensive survey of the history and repertoire of wind band music concentrating on Grades 2-6.
AME
AME 101. Ensembles for Music Minor. 1 Credit.
This course fulfills the ensemble performance requirement for the Music Performance Minor and should be taken every semester a student participates in a large or small ensemble with the exception of Marching Band and Marching Band Front. Students are introduced to wind, orchestral, and vocal literature as well as rehearsal techniques per their specified participation in one of the large or small ensembles offered every semester. Ensemble participation requires an audition. Audition dates and materials will be provided to interested students.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
CHO
CHO 211. Men's Chorus. 0.5 Credits.
A chorus presenting the choral literature for male voices. Open to all male students by audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
CHO 212. Women's Chorus. 0.5 Credits.
A chorus presenting the choral literature for female voices. Open to all female students by audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
CHO 311. Mastersingers. 0.5 Credits.
A chorus presenting oratorios, masses, and more difficult mixed choral literature. Open to all students by audition.
Pre / Co requisites: CHO 311 requires admission by audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
CHO 312. Cantari Donne. 0.5 Credits.
A choral ensemble for upper level treble voices.
Pre / Co requisites: CHO 312 requires admission by audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
CHO 411. Chamber Choir. 0.5 Credits.
Small group of singers specializing in the performance of Renaissance/Baroque, sacred, and secular literature. Membership by audition.
Consent: Permission of the Department required to add.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
CHO 412. Concert Choir. 0.5 Credits.
An upper level choral ensemble devoted to acquiring a fine technique in choral singing through the preparation of programs for performance. Membership by audition.
Pre / Co requisites: CHO 412 requires admission by audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
CHO 413. Recital Choir. 0.5-5 Credits.
The primary purpose of the Recital Choir is to serve as a laboratory chorus for the graduate students who are candidates for the Master of Music in Choral Conducting. All students who sing in this ensemble are required to audition for placement.
Pre / Co requisites: CHO 413 requires placement by audition.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
VOC
VOC 236. SHOW CHOIR. 0.5 Credits.
Class instruction once per week in the study of show choir.
Repeatable for Credit.
VOC 311. Choral Conducting I. 2 Credits.
A practical application of conducting and vocal techniques in choral direction through practice in conducting a choral group.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.
VOC 312. Choral Conducting II. 2 Credits.
Continued development of the conducting techniques with emphasis on conducting of polyphonic choral music and on the musical styles of the various choral periods.
Pre / Co requisites: VOC 312 requires prerequisites of VOC 311 or AIC 311.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
VOC 418. Advanced Choral Conducting. 2 Credits.
Study and application of advanced choral conducting techniques.
Pre / Co requisites: VOC 418 requires prerequisite of VOC 312.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
VOC 426. Choral Literature. 2 Credits.
The development and performance style of the choral repertoire.
