Ensemble Opportunities
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Bard Conservatory OrchestraThe Bard Conservatory Orchestra performs several concerts each semester and at least four times each year in the Frank Gehry-designed Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.Bard Conservatory Orchestra
The orchestra also performs annual side-by-side concerts with members of the The Orchestra Now, conducted by Leon Botstein, and performs regularly at the Eastern New York Correctional Facility as part of the Bard Prison Initiative. With the exception of pianists, all Conservatory performance majors perform with the orchestra every semester.
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Chinese EnsembleFor the Conservatory’s Chinese instrument majors, Chinese Ensemble provides both large-ensemble and chamber music performance opportunities throughout the year, and all Conservatory students have the opportunity to participate in mixed ensembles of Chinese and Western instruments.Chinese Ensemble
At least one major Chinese Ensemble concert with the participation of all Chinese instrument majors will be performed each semester on campus. Other regular performance opportunities include the Chinese Music in the Chapel concert series at Bard and the Music at China Institute 华美音乐 program in Manhattan. Studio teachers assist the ensemble coach and perform in Chinese Ensemble concerts, contributing their depth of experience and knowledge of the repertoire. The Chinese Ensemble program also features master classes and concerts by leading performers and educators in Chinese music. All Conservatory students have the opportunity to participate in mixed ensembles of Chinese and Western instruments.
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Bard Chamber SingersLed by maestro James Bagwell, the Chamber Singers is a select choir made up of undergraduate singers in both the Conservatory and B.A. Music Program.Bard Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers perform throughout the year at Bard's Fisher Center with the Bard Conservatory Orchestra and The Orchestra Now. Recent performances have included Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Mahler's 2nd Symphony, and Mendelssohn's Magnificat.
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Bard Baroque EnsembleThe Bard Baroque Ensemble, including both College and Conservatory musicians, takes a leading role in an annual series of Bach cantata presentations and collaborates with other Bard ensembles in bringing outstanding musical performances of Baroque repertoire to the wider community.Bard Baroque Ensemble
Bach cantatas are a particular focus of the Ensemble’s programming, but a diversity of other Baroque and pre-Baroque repertoire is explored to deepen students’ understanding, appreciation, and mastery of a broad range of styles. Baroque bows are provided for string players, and some period-style instruments are available for students’ use through the Baroque Ensemble program. More information about the Baroque Ensemble is available here.
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Opera WorkshopOpen to all undergraduate singers, the fully-staged Undergraduate Opera Workshop performs every spring semester in the Bard Fisher Center Luma Theater.Opera Workshop
Throughout the fall semester, students prepare a themed program of operatic excerpts of choruses, ensembles, and solos. Repertoire is chosen for the current students, allowing each student to showcase their strengths while learning developing their stagecraft.
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Solo Opportunities
During their study at Bard, students present three recitals: one shared in their third year, one off-campus shared or full-length recital in their fourth year, and one full-length solo recital in their fifth year with their teacher's permission. Each year, as many as three winners of the concerto competition perform as soloists with either the Conservatory Orchestra or The Orchestra Now, conducted by Leon Botstein. Past concerto competition winners have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and Bard's Fisher Center. Conservatory students have also been soloists with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, and other professional ensembles. Additionally, Bard Conservaotry hosts a series of Noon Concerts held throughout each semester, open to any Conservatory student to perform.
Chamber Music
Chamber music is a priority at the Bard College Conservatory of Music. Members of its faculty are current or former members of distinguished touring chamber music ensembles. Studio faculty members serve not only as coaches but often as players in ensembles, allowing students to learn firsthand from the playing of a more experienced musician. Chamber music ensembles perform in Noon Concerts, in the Chamber Music Marathon each semester, in self-produced concerts with the Conservatory’s Concert Office, and on various graduation recitals. Additionally, they perform off-campus in private homes, local chamber music series, and in Conservatory showcase concerts in NYC and elsewhere. The chamber music program is further enriched by master classes and concerts by conservatory faculty members and guest artists.