Music Department

Union College Music Department Presents Our Spring Concert: Bon Voyage, A Farewell Tribute to Graduating Seniors

Friday, May 10th at 8 p.m., Memorial Chapel

As the vibrant colors and melodies of spring fill the air, Union College bids a bittersweet farewell to its senior students. The Music Department invites the community to join in a heartfelt tribute to these graduating talents at the Spring Concert, celebrating their journey and anticipating the bright futures ahead.

Featuring an enchanting program curated by the Union College Choir, Union College Chamber Singers, and Union College and Community Orchestra, the concert promises a captivating blend of classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions. From Mozart to Gjeilo, the repertoire showcases the immense talent and dedication of Union College's performers.

Highlights of the evening include Yutong Wu'25's solo performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No.20 K.466 with Union College and Community Orchestra, and the premiere of Jackson Janney'24's latest composition, "Requiem aeternam II" from "Two Latin Motors," presented by the Union College Choir.

Additionally, audiences will be treated to the Union College Chamber Singers' performance of Anton Bruckner's "Kronstorfer Messe, WAB 146," performed a cappella, along with a diverse selection including "Arirang," expressing cultural diversity, Jackson's "Requiem Aeternam II," and Sunrise Mass with the Union College String Orchestra.

The Union College and Community Orchestra is all set to deliver remarkable performances of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 K.466 and Bizet's "L'Arlésienne Op. 23, Suite No. 2." These performances will represent the strength and optimism of the graduating class as they embark on their bright futures.

"We are delighted to present the outstanding abilities of our graduating seniors and applaud their accomplishments," stated Professor Matsue, the chair of the music department. "This concert is not just a celebration of their time at Union College, but also a demonstration of their potential as they depart on new adventures."

Don't miss out on an unforgettable evening of music and celebration as we bid a spectacular farewell to our seniors, wishing them all the success they deserve in their future efforts. More info and tickets here

Union College Music Department Spring 2024 Concert Series

Choir, Chamber singers, and Orchestra - SP 24 Spring Concert: Bon Voyage
Friday, May 10 at 8pm, Memorial Chapel

Jazz Ensemble and Latin Percussion Workshop
Saturday, May 11 at 11am, Emerson Auditorium

Early Music Ensemble
Saturday, May 18 at 2pm, Emerson Auditorium

Zakuro Daiko, The Japanese Drumming and Global Fusion Band
Friday, May 31 at 7pm, Emerson Auditorium

Student Recital and Hollander Prize Competition
Tuesday, June 4 @ 5pm, Emerson Auditorium

For more events and info click here

Fall 2024 Courses

AMU 100 Elements of Music Theory
AMU 134 Music and Culture of Africa
AMU 140 Music Tech 1: Transforming Sound, Making Music (two sections)
AMU 160 From Chant to Mozart
AMU 212 Bach, Handel and their predecessors
AMU 300 Music Theory 3

Winter 2025 Courses

AMU 101 Music Theory: Materials and Design 1
AMU 110 Class Piano 1
AMU 161 From Beethoven to Bernstein
AMU TBA Global and Popular Musics
AMU 202 Musical Thinking: World and Pop
AMU 240 Music Tech 2: Recording, Mixing and Synthesizing Sound

Spring 2025 Courses

AMU 132 History of Jazz
AMU 201 Music Theory: Materials and Design 2
AMU 232 Jazz Workshop
AMU 2XX Data Sonification
AMU 2XX Music and Trauma: Comfort Women, Holocaust, Hiroshima, Music, and Cultural Understanding during WWII

Ensembles

AMU 012 Japanese Drumming
AMU 014 Union College Choir
AMU 015 Jazz
AMU 016 Chamber Choir
AMU 017 Orchestra
AMU 018 Early Music

Founders Day included the premiere of a musical composition by Jackson Janney '24, “When David Heard,” performed by the Union College Choir, conducted by Jin Byun, director of music performance. The haunting, somber piece portrays the scene of King David of Israel when he learns about the death of his beloved son, Absalom. The text is taken from the book of Lamentations from the Old Testament. A music major from outside Washington, D.C., Janney leaned into the intersection of literature and music, his main artistic direction, in composing the piece.

The event also featured musical performances by the Union College Orchestra, Union College Jazz Ensemble led by Tim Olsen, professor of music, and the Union College Music Department.

View a short video from the event.

Union College offers a wide variety of courses in music theory, music technology, composition, music history, world music, and jazz studies. The music faculty are incredibly Interdisciplinary, and offer courses that intersect with other departments and programs across campus. Students enjoy many opportunities to perform in our numerous ensembles and develop musicianship through private lessons. We offer a Major, ID, Minor and a Global and Popular Musics Minor.