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Music Performance Opportunities

Symphonia, Chamber Orchestra. Photo by Pang Fan 

Chamber Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra offers an intensive ensemble experience for advanced string and woodwind players. The skills, craft and discipline of orchestral playing are developed in-depth through the study of repertoire for small orchestra. We explore music from a wide range of styles — Baroque Concerti Grossi, Classical period symphonies, Romanic pieces, the rich small orchestra repertoire of the 20th century, and the growing body of exciting and diverse works by living composers. The Chamber Orchestra performs regularly throughout the year, often collaborating with the Exeter Choral Union and Concert Choir. All members of the Chamber Orchestra also play in the Symphony Orchestra or participate in another large ensemble.

Symphony Orchestra

The PEA Symphony Orchestra of advanced instrumentalists rehearses and performs works from the major symphonic repertoire, including works by living and under-represented composers, and collaborates with the student soloist winners of the annual PEA Concerto Competition. All aspects of orchestral technique and style are studied through both full and sectional rehearsals. The Symphony Orchestra performs regularly throughout the year.

Symphonia

The Symphonia provides a foundation orchestral experience for students at the intermediate level. The fundamental techniques of orchestral playing, musicianship and ensemble performance are developed through the study of music from a wide variety of styles and periods. The Symphonia performs regularly throughout the school year, often in collaboration with other ensembles. 

Instrumental Chamber Groups

Students receive weekly coaching in trios, quartets, quintets and other small ensembles and experience the special give-and-take of playing chamber music. Instrumental combinations include strings, winds, brass, piano, percussion and harp. Students develop the musical and collaborative skills needed for effective rehearsal and communicative performance while acquiring stylistic awareness.  Our chamber music groups perform throughout the year.

Concerto Competition

Each winter instrumentalists perform movements from the concerto literature for an outside panel of expert judges. The winner is invited to perform in the spring concert accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra.

Concert Choir

Concert Choir offers a rigorous choral experience to those students accepted by audition. The choir performs a wide variety of choral literature representing many traditions and style periods. Through intensive rehearsals and public performance, students develop their vocalism, musicianship and choral skills. The Concert Choir performs regularly throughout the year..

Exeter Choral Union

Open to all students without an audition, this mixed-voice choral ensemble performs works of choral literature from many traditions and style periods. Through twice-weekly rehearsals, students develop their vocalism, musicianship and choral skills. The Choral Union performs regularly throughout the year.

PEA Jazz Ensemble

The PEA Jazz Ensemble offers advanced students the opportunity to experience jazz performance in a big band setting. The ensemble performs traditional and contemporary jazz repertoire, allowing students to learn performance and Improvisational techniques in the style of the jazz greats. The Jazz Ensemble performs throughout the year.

Small Jazz & Contemporary Ensembles

These combos, bands and other small ensembles give intermediate and advanced musicians the opportunity to develop their ensemble and improvisational skills through the study of jazz and other contemporary repertoire in a smaller group setting. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamentals of establishing groove, balance, nuance, tone and other ensemble skills necessary to develop musicianship. These ensembles perform regularly throughout the school year.

PEA Band

The PEA Band is an opportunity for wind, brass, percussion and electric instrument players of all levels and abilities to study and perform music together. The PEA Band will operate as a concert band in the fall and spring terms, primarily performing standard and contemporary band literature. In the winter, the ensemble will operate as a pep band, allowing students to perform in the stands at select athletic events. Through rehearsals and performances, students improve their technical and ensemble skills as well as their sensitivity to musical nuance and their ability to listen to and relate their individual parts to the whole. No audition is necessary.

Global Rhythm Ensemble

Students learn the basic playing techniques of the steel drums and other instruments from around the world. Players develop their melodic, harmonic and rhythmic skills and sense of ensemble while experiencing the special energy and excitement of playing together.  

Modern Music Making

Our Modern Music Making ensemble is for students interested in making modern styles of music, primarily through technology. Students develop their technique, their aesthetic and their ears by working on multiple collaborative and independent projects across a spectrum of musical genres including (but not limited to) pop, hip-hop, EDM, ambient and experimental. There will also be opportunities for live performances, cross-disciplinary collaboration and student-initiated projects. The in-class studio environment is one of creativity, curiosity and collaboration as students work both together and alongside each other in pursuit of their musical journey.

Exeter Association of Rock (E.A.R)

This active club of rock 'n roll enthusiasts rehearses regularly and contributes to the many outstanding musical performances on campus. E.A.R. is open to all interested individuals.

Music 400 and 500 Courses

Outstanding solo performers, typically in their upper and senior years, can register for this recital preparation course. Players and singers perform for one another weekly and receive guidance in preparing a significant public performance.