Marietta College has two performance ensembles — Symphonic Ban and Oratorio Chorus — that are open to participation from members of Marietta and the surrounding communities.
“Because music is a lifetime experience that should be available to people of all ages, it’s important that Marietta College provides opportunities for everyone,” said Marshall Kimball, Music Department Chairman. “Regardless of the performance level of the individual, how long it’s been since your played your instrument or sung in a choir, community members are welcome to participate in the Marietta College Symphonic Band and the Marietta College Oratorio Chorus.”
The Symphonic Band rehearses from 5-5:50 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Band Rehearsal Hall at the corner of Third and Butler streets. The date of the first rehearsal is Monday, Aug. 28. The members of this ensemble range in age from 17-83.
Interested individuals simply need to show up with their instrument for the first rehearsal and are encouraged to bring friends with them. The band’s concert selections for the fall semester fit into the title of Suite Music. The performance venue of this ensemble is the beautifully renovated Peoples Bank Theatre with the Fall Band Concert scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30.
To obtain more information on this ensemble, please contact Kimball, Director of Bands at 740-376-4686 or marshall.kimball@marietta.edu.
The Marietta College Oratorio Chorus is also open to community members from the Mid-Ohio Valley. This ensemble is comprised of singers from around Marietta and the surroundings communities with a wide age range of college students to senior citizens. The repertoire for this choir is Handel’s Messiah, which will be performed for the 91st consecutive time at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption.
The first rehearsal for the Oratorio Chorus will be from 7-9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11, in Hermann 217. Those interested in participating should come to the first rehearsal and bring friends. This year the conductor of the Oratorio Chorus is the Director of Choral Activities at Marietta College, Dr. Jay Dougherty. For more information on this organization, please contact Dougherty, Director of Choirs, at (740) 376-4689 or jay.dougherty@marietta.edu.
For questions regarding other musical opportunities at the Department of Music at Marietta College, please call (740) 376-4696.