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Choral Union
The Choral Union, conducted by Seong-Kyung Graham, is a large size mixed-voice choir that performs music from various styles and periods. The Choral Union comprises mainly students from Ripon College supplemented by community members from the Ripon area. The Choral Union often collaborates with the Ripon college orchestra, performing choral/orchestral works. This fall, the Choral Union will collaborate with the Ripon College Collegium Musicum to perform several double chorus works as well as collaborating with the Ripon College Symphonic Wind Ensemble to perform John Rutter’s “Gloria.” This spring concert will feature several selections of film music as well as works by contemporary composers. In addition, the Choral Union will perform with the Green Bay Civic Symphony at Meyer Theatre in downtown Green Bay in April 20, 2008.
Collegium Musicum
The Collegium Musicum is a mixed-voice chamber group that specializes in performing music written before 1750. Past concerts have included medieval sacred and secular songs, Renaissance madrigals and motets, and anthems by Purcell and Handel. Recently, the group expanded its repertoire to include early American folksongs and an adapted version of Gilbert and Sullivan's "HMS Pinafore."
Instrumentalists also perform regularly with the Collegium; these include early instruments such as recorders, harpsichord and psaltery as well as modern "folk" instruments (guitar, pennywhistle, fiddle, bodhran and accordion). The Collegium Musicum presents one concert each semester and is open to students by audition.
Jazz Ensemble
The Ripon College Jazz Ensemble is a big band that plays music from the earliest jazz through the most contemporary jazz styles. From within the group, a number of different jazz combos perform as well on the two major Jazz Ensemble concerts each year. Development of improvisation skills is a major goal of the group. The Jazz Ensemble also performs on a pops concert each year and occasionally at off-campus events.
Orchestra
Unlike many schools its size, Ripon College has a long-standing, vital College Orchestra. Made up of students and community members, the group puts on two concerts a year that feature orchestral works from all of the style periods of Western music. Concerts often feature guest soloists. Children's concerts are another type of event that the orchestra puts on with some regularity.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Ripon College Symphonic Wind ensemble is made up of brass, winds and percussion. In recent years, the group has had approximately 50 to 55 members. It is largely a student group, although there are a few community members. The group performs two major concerts each year, as well as a pops concert and a concert of small ensemble music. Literature ranges from band classics from throughout the 20th century to transcriptions of music from other media, marches and lighter fare.
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