Music Ensembles

RIC Chamber Singers

Members of the Rhode Island College Chamber Singers, conducted by Don St. Jean, are selected by audition from the RIC Chorus. The ensemble consists of 12 to 18 singers and performs a wide variety of literature, including Medieval chants, Renaissance though 21st-century sacred and secular music, nontraditional and non-Western music, and vocal jazz arrangements. The group averages approximately 30 performances during the academic year.

RIC Chorus

The RIC Chorus is a select, concert mixed choir of approximately 55 to 70 voices and is conducted by Professor Teresa Coffman. Membership is open to any RIC student by audition. The chorus performs a wide variety of literature, from a cappella pieces to large-scale choral/orchestral works, from traditional works to multicultural and avant-garde pieces. They present a minimum of three concerts per academic year. For more information, or to schedule an audition, contact Don St. Jean.

RIC Concert Jazz Band

The RIC Concert Jazz Band, directed by Professor Joseph Foley, is an ensemble of 20 musicians who perform a wide variety of jazz styles, including swing, blues, funk, be-bop, fusion and contemporary jazz. The band performs at least twice per semester on campus and annually at the Williams College Collegiate Jazz Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and the Rhode Island Jazz Appreciation Month celebration held at the college. The jazz band rehearses on Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. For more information or to schedule an audition, contact Joseph Foley.

RIC Early Music Ensemble

RIC Early Music Ensemble invites participation from singers and instrumentalists interested in exploring music from the 16th-18th centuries. Rehearsing in large and small groups with strings, harpsichords, lutes, and organ, student musicians mount a major concert each semester. Recent performances include Carissimi's Jepte and Handel's Chandos Anthem No. 4. For more information, contact Samuel Breene.

RIC Symphony Orchestra

The Rhode Island College Orchestra Symphony Orchestra performs standard repertoire and features frequent soloists. The Symphony Orchestra maintains a full performance schedule of four concerts per year. The ensemble rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7–10 pm. It is open by audition to all Rhode Island College students, regardless of academic major.

RIC Wind Ensemble

Conducted by Professor Joseph Foley, the Rhode Island College Wind Ensemble was recently hailed one of the most respected college wind bands in New England. This balanced 50-piece ensemble performs high-quality contemporary and traditional wind band repertoire, emphasizing works scored originally for winds. Four concerts are performed annually, with rehearsals on Mondays from 7–9:30 pm and Thursdays from 2–4 pm The ensemble is open to all Rhode Island College students by audition. For more information or to schedule an audition, contact Joseph Foley.

Other Ensembles

In addition to the major ensembles listed above, Rhode Island College supports a wide variety of smaller performing organizations. These include the Opera Workshop, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Flute Choir, Clarinet Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, Guitar Ensemble and Piano Ensemble.​