Andrews University is home to many musically gifted students and has a host of opportunities for them to pursue their passions on campus. Joining a music group can be beneficial in many ways: it gives students a way to regularly practice their preferred musical medium, a space to make more friends and build community, and an extracurricular to potentially bolster their resumes. But joining a new group can be intimidating and it’s hard to know where to begin. This article covers a few options for students looking to get more involved with music on campus, and outlines how they can get started!
The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra
The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is one of the three impressive groups that the Department of Music sponsors. The advanced symphonic orchestra, directed by Dr. Marc Elysee, consists of accomplished students, alumni, and local community members. The Symphony Orchestra affords students with consistent occasions to hone their performance skills with monthly live performances at HPAC. They’ve taken expansive tours around the U.S and traveled internationally to Europe, Costa Rica, and the Philippines. Students in the orchestra also have the chance to apply for performance scholarships. Every fall, the Orchestra auditions strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussionists for talented new members. While auditions are closed for this year, students can begin to plan their audition for fall of 2024 by visiting their audition page, which contains further instructions and suggested audition pieces.
Andrews University Singers
The Andrews University Singers is another musical group under the direction of Andrews University’s Department of Music. This prestigious choir, conducted by Stephen Zork, performs exciting culturally diverse choral music from the Middle Ages to present day. They perform their extensive range of selections both acapella and accompanied by a variety of instruments, including special collaborations with the University's orchestra. With six performances at Pioneer Memorial Church and six performances at community events throughout the year, University Singers have many opportunities to perfect their musical performance skills. Additionally, every other year the choir tours internationally; most recently in 2023 to Iceland and England but also in past years to Zimbabwe, Chile, Brazil, Norway, Scotland, Bermuda, Bahamas and Puerto Rico. Choir members are also eligible to apply for a Performance Scholarship. Auditions conducted by Stephen Zork every fall and spring semester, assess each singer's overall musicality, vocal range, quality and teachability. Students should come prepared to perform a piece of their choosing in any style they’d like, but according to the director, it should be “compelling with meaning and interpretation.” Stephen Zork calls to curious students, “Sing with us!” He invites them to “experience vulnerability while pursuing theatrical and artistic refinement at its best with curious and like minded colleagues. Singing in University Singers is cathartic and regenerative at the same time!” Auditions for the 2024 spring semester will be held in studio room 307 Hamel Hall from December 11-13. Sign-ups are posted on the door of the office.
Wind Symphony
The last of the three groups from the Department of Music is the Wind Symphony. Directed by Denisse Santos, the group performs beautiful religious and secular music throughout the school year, regularly touring throughout the Great Lakes region and, in the past, performing internationally in Thailand, England, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and Canada. Besides the opportunity to expand their artistic, intellectual and spiritual horizons, Wind Symphony members also enjoy eligibility for performance scholarships. Auditions are held at the beginning of every fall semester, but interested students can arrange an audition for the spring semester by reaching out to the director. See this page to learn more about the process!
Deliverance Mass Choir
New Life Fellowship’s Deliverance Mass Choir (DMC) has been a treasured music group on campus for over 25 years. The special gospel choir practices Friday and Saturday evenings, and performs frequently throughout the year. Auditions to join are held at the beginning of every school year, for fresh infusions of Basses, Tenors, Altos, and Sopranos. They are conducted at the same time as auditions for New Life’s Sabbath services and Impact Vespers worship teams. One choir member, Abigail Isoe (Freshman, Computer Engineering) shared her experience of the audition process: She first sang a song of her choice she believed best highlighted her vocal talents, then she was given a song and directed to sing its melody, high harmony, and low harmony. The audition concluded with a test of her vocal range. Isoe encourages other students to join, “don’t be scared to audition!” Even though it’s intimidating, she points out that singing in groups like this is about more than being the best vocalist, “[It’s] more so about having God at the center of it all.” Students interested in joining should follow New Life’s Instagram, which posts about the auditions every year in the fall semester.
Makarios
Makarios is a unique artistic ministry which blends elements of poetry, drama and music. The group reaches out to Hispanic churches to motivate youth to pursue higher education, particularly at Andrews University. The music portion of the program focuses on giving a rousing song service at every church they attend. In addition to singing the classics that the church is likely already familiar with- they introduce new songs the congregation can incorporate into their worships in the future. Samantha Flores, (sophomore, music education), the Musical Director this year, recommends checking out the group’s Instagram page to learn more about the ministry and to speak to the club president, Paulette Velazquez, if they’d like to join next semester.
Being part of music on campus can deeply enrich a student’s life by inspiring them artistically, enriching them socially, and feeding them spiritually. Trying something new is always intimidating, but students shouldn’t let that scare them away from these special opportunities to grow and mature in every aspect of their lives.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.