Director of Vocal Music
Music Area Coordinator
Branch County Community Chorus
(269) 565-7859
Email: [email protected] Kellogg Community College offers an outstanding opportunity for performance and musicianship through the applied music area. Our performance and practice venues provide a great educational opportunity for all desiring to study voice and other instruments on an individualized b
asis. Performance Opportunities
The KCC Instrumental Area offers a variety of performing opportunities for those interested in instrumental music. Our ensembles perform both on and off campus, including a recent presentation at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival where they played to much acclaim. Other performances have included appearances at the annual Red Cedar Band Festival in Lansing, community concerts and other special events. We encourage anyone interested in participating in any of our ensembles to please contact the Arts and Communication Department for additional information and registration details. You may reach the department by calling 269-965-3931 ext. 2554 or by emailing the Music Area coordinator, Dr. Gerald Blanchard, at [email protected]. Kellogg Community College Choir Performance opportunities are abundant at Kellogg Community College. Our music faculty play an integral role in helping students find their best musical selves. Our students are instructed by professionally active artist faculty who have a passion for teaching. At KCC, the music program area offers studio master classes, vocal workshops, audition opportunities, performance technique workshops, and choral performance experiences. In addition to lessons and ensembles, students gain stage experience through recital performances and main stage opportunities in the fully-staged musical theatre and opera productions. Vocal music training is an integral component of the performance curriculum at Kellogg Community College. Under the artistic leadership of Dr. Gerald J. Blanchard, professor of vocal music and conductor of choirs, KCC continues its long tradition of providing opportunities for personal artistic expression, experiences and growth. Kellogg Singers: A concert choir that gives students the opportunity to develop their vocal skills while performing challenging contemporary and traditional choral literature. The ensemble maintains an active performance schedule on and off campus. Women’s Ensemble: An ensemble of female vocalists that emphasizes general musicianship and provides training in all musical styles of women’s chorus literature. Performances are presented on campus and in the community. Branch County Community Chorus: A mixed ensemble that develops general musicianship and provides training in choral singing. Repertoire consists of a wide variety of music and styles, from traditional to multicultural. Performances are presented both on and off campus. Concentus Vocal Ensemble: A small vocal ensemble which specializes in repertoire written for advanced ensemble singing. The group consists of singers who are selected through the annual choral audition process in the spring and fall of each academic year. Concentus repertoire focuses on madrigals, chanson, lied and works from the musical theatre and show choir genre. You must be a registered member of the Kellogg Singers for audition/membership. KCC’s Choral Union: The Choral Union Touring Choir does not hold auditions, however standards of musicianship is very high. The ensemble is made up of existing members from the three residential choirs on the Kellogg Community College campus (Kellogg Singers, Branch County Community Chorus or Concentus Vocal Ensemble). This organization is the touring arm of the KCC choral division. The KCC Choral Union has traveled throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Indian, and Ohio. Most recently the chorus traveled to Ireland where they gave concerts in Malahide, Cork and in Dublin Ireland to great acclaim. Summer 2014, the chorus will return to Europe presenting concerts throughout the Amalfi Coast of Italy and Rome. Membership is limited to individuals who demonstrate excellent musicianship skills and are currently enrolled in one of the residential choruses. About KCC’s Opera Workshop:
The Opera Workshop (MUSI 297) introduces all aspects of the art form to its participants, including acting, vocal technique, language and stage movement. Other areas of focus include audition techniques, scene study, musical collaboration and much, much, more. Recent Opera Workshop presentations have included works such as “Trial by Jury” (Gilbert/Sullivan), “Dido and Aeneas” (Henry Purcell), “The Marriage of Figaro” (W. Mozart), “The Student Prince” (Sigmund Romberg) and “Die Fledermaus” (Johann Strauss).
