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Performance Opportunities for music students
Performance Opportunities for music students
Recital class – Students sign up on their own to perform in monthly classes, which are attended by faculty, students and friends; no grade is given. A great way to try out new works or get used to public performance.
Church Choirs – Singers may seek involvement in some of the many church choir programs in the Birmingham area. Many of them offer renewable scholarships and/or salary for students as choir section leaders. Some of the churches who routinely employ our students include:
Canterbury United Methodist Church
Cathedral Church of the Advent, Episcopal
Cathedral of St. Paul, Roman Catholic
First United Methodist Church of Birmingham
Highlands United Methodist Church
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
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Vocal ensembles:
BSC Concert Choir
Select mixed ensemble open to students by audition; tours extensively, including appearances at Lincoln Center in New York and in Europe, and performs major works with members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Also performs an annual carol service and has several CD recordings. Auditions are held each May for the following year.
Hilltop Singers
Unaccompanied chamber vocal ensemble of singers, all members of the Concert Choir; performs for schools, churches, and civic groups. Members receive scholarships. Auditions are held each May for the following year.
Southern Chorale
Mixed-voice ensemble; performs each December at the annual Carol Service and presents a spring concert on campus. Auditions are held each term.
BSC Opera
Presents a fully-staged opera and staged scences. Students register for MU 242.
Musical theatre
BSC’s Theatre Department hosts an intensive program in musical theatre; roles are open to all students by audition.
One A-Chord Gospel Choir
Twenty-member student/alumni group focused on spiritual and cultural inspiration and fellowship, performs each spring.
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Instrumental ensembles:
Symphonic Band
The focus of the BSC Symphonic Band is to increase students' quality of performing on their instrument at a collegiate level. In the Fall Semester, the Symphonic Band spotlights its individuals through the annual Prism Concert. In the Spring Semester, the ensemble prepares major works for winds and percussion to perform on tour, in local venues, or for special occasions. Fine and Performing Arts scholarships are connected to the Symphonic Band and General Band scholarships may also be provided with course credit.
BSC Jazz Band
The Jazz Ensemble performs big band and combo literature from various areas of the jazz repertoire. Students have the opportunity to perform as a soloist in several styles such as standard jazz charts, Latin music, funk, and several types of dance music. This group regularly performs off-campus to represent the College in the Birmingham community. Enrollment is open to all BSC students with prior experience and ensemble credit is available.
The Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra
The ASYO is an ensemble dedicated to giving young musicians (primarily string students) the opportunity to learn and grow through the rehearsal and performance of great orchestral music in a highly professional setting. Members of the ASYO work regularly with the musicians and conductors of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and perform concerts spanning from standard orchestral repertoire to pops and chamber music. Audition information can be found here. Rehearsals are held on Sunday. Students may register for orchestra ensemble credit.
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Recital Class
Students sign up on their own to perform in weekly classes, which are attended by faculty, students, and friends. The Recital Class is a great way to try out new works or get used to public performance. Performances take place in the Hill Recital Hall on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM. Music faculty consent is required; no grade is given.
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Health and Safety for Musicians
Every music student, faculty and staff member should become familiar with the documents on Maintenance of Hearing Health and Vocal and Musculoskeletal Health and Injury Prevention linked below, providing basic information regarding the maintenance of hearing health, vocal, and musculoskeletal health and injury prevention.
Maintenance of Hearing Health
National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS)
Occupational Noise Exposure (OSHA)
Vocal and Musculoskeletal Health
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)
"Athletes and the Arts: Educating Today's Musicians to Keep Them Healthy and Active"
The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique
Teaching the Art of Movement in Music
Dalcroze Society of America