Community
The Music Ensembles at CRC offer more than an opportunity for musical excellence - they also provide an instant feeling of belonging, a chance to participate in some of the college's most popular classes and the opportunity to form life-long friendships. We offer the opportunity for students to perform before a live audience throughout the academic year. Ensembles at CRC are open to any CRC student or community member.
Auditions
We want you! Most ensembles are open to all students at all levels of playing and singing. Bring your energy and talent, and we will find the right ensemble for you. Some ensembles require a live audition. Audition requirements are listed in the course description, but please contact the ensemble director for more information.
Volunteers
While enrollment is required to participate in CRC music ensembles, students may volunteer to participate in any ensemble after taking the maximum number of repeatable sections of that ensemble.
For example, a student may volunteer to sing in Gospel Choir after they have enrolled in the course for four semesters.
To volunteer, simply complete the CRC Music Volunteer Form and email it to appropriate ensemble director:
- Instrumental Ensembles Professor: Maxwell Kiesner - kiesnem@crc.losrios.edu
- Vocal Ensembles Professor: Omari Tau - williaO@crc.losrios.edu
The CRC Orchestra is for both music majors and non-music majors. The focus of the Orchestra is to perform a wide variety of works that reflect the performance standards at CRC and the orchestra's place within the broader liberal arts community. The ensemble is committed to providing a platform for both student and faculty soloists at CRC.
The CRC Orchestra performs four times each semester. While most of these are on-campus events, others may be virtual recording projects, off-campus performances at local schools or music festivals, and with special guest artists. Enrollment is open to all Los Rios students, faculty and staff, as well as community members who meet performance standards. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester and consist of scales and sight-reading. There are openings in all sections, strings, winds, brass, percussion. Please refer to the course catalog for rehearsal times.
For more information, contact:
Director Maxwell Kiesner
kiesnem@crc.losrios.edu
(916) 691-7460
The CRC Jazz Band is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists who can read music and have some experience with group playing. The primary focus of the Jazz Band is to study the traditions of African-American Music and perform music representative of this diverse repertoire, including Blues, New Orleans Brass Band, Big Band Swing, Funk, Hip-Hop, and various Afro-Latin styles. A strong emphasis is placed on developing listening and sight-reading skills, learning improvisational techniques, and cultivating the group swing feel.
The CRC Jazz Band performs four concerts each semester. While most of these are on-campus events, others may be virtual recording projects, off-campus performances at local schools or music festivals, and with special guest artists. Section placement auditions are held during the first class meeting of each semester and consist of sight-reading and a general playing assessment. Enrollment is open to all Los Rios students, faculty and staff, as well as community members who meet performance standards. Please refer to the course catalog for rehearsal times.
For more information, please contact:
Director Maxwell Kiesner
kiesnem@crc.losrios.edu
(916) 691-7460
The CRC Composer Ensemble has been serving the needs of students since 2009, providing weekly student instruction culminating in up to four public performances per semester. The CRC Composers Ensemble is the only ensemble in the California Community College District that presents public concerts comprised exclusively of student created works. The Ensemble assists students who are interested in composition and helps them to create a portfolio of individual compositions to use when transferring to four-year colleges and universities.
Our students write original music in a variety of styles - classical, pop, electronica, video game inspired, and even more boundary pushing avant-garde styles. Many of our CRC Composer Ensemble alumni have transferred to prestigious four-year institutions, with some currently writing music that shows up in major motion pictures and television shows.
CRC Composer Ensemble members have taken part in the Honors Composer Seminar at annual MACCC Conference (Music Association of California Community Colleges). Ensemble participants have also performed at assorted Cosumnes River College public and private events, including: Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees Benefit (featuring our District Chancellor and Senators representing the California State Assembly), Patrons Scholarship Luncheon, CRC Foundation performances, and other assorted school functions.Print articles profiling the CRC Composers Ensemble have appeared in CRC school newspaper The Connection and in the Elk Grove Citizen.
The Ensemble has collaborated with both the CRC Theatre as well as the Radio, Television and Film programs. The CRC Composers Ensemble has hosted performer residencies with the following acclaimed Guest Artist performers: Ann Moss (soprano), Omari Tau (baritone), and Heidi Moss (soprano). The CRC Composers Ensemble plays an active and important role in the cultural life of the greater South Sacramento community.
Kurt Erickson, Founder and Director
ericksk@crc.losrios.edu
Gabriel J. Rivera, Co-Director
riverag@crc.losrios.edu
The CRC Concert Band is open to all instrumentalists who can read music and have some experience with group playing. The primary focus of the Concert Band is to perform new and traditional music for large ensembles and serve as a laboratory for future music professionals. A strong emphasis is placed on learning total musicianship through developing listening and sight-reading skills, section and ensemble leadership, an understanding of music theory and history, and cultivating professional performance practices.
The CRC Concert Band performs four times each semester. While most of these are on-campus events, others may be virtual recording projects, off-campus performances at local schools or music festivals, and with special guest artists. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to perform with visiting guest artists each year. Section placement auditions are held during the first class meeting of each semester and consist of sight-reading and a general playing assessment. Enrollment is open to all Los Rios students, faculty and staff, as well as community members who meet performance standards. Please refer to the course catalog for rehearsal times.
For more information, contact:
Director Maxwell Kiesner
kiesnem@crc.losrios.edu
(916) 691-7460
College Chorus is choral fun for everyone! It offers students a chance to explore classic and contemporary literature while learning the basics of sight-reading and vocal technique. This ensemble is open to all without audition.
For more information, contact:
Director of Vocal Music, Omari Tau
(916) 691-7234
williaO@crc.losrios.edu
Chamber Singers allows singers access to timeless soaring vocals throughout the ages, from the earliest choral traditions to the latest, including jazz and pop tunes. This auditioned ensemble extends singers’ ability to sight-read and explore serious vocal technique with some of the greatest compositions ever known.
For more information, contact:Director of Vocal Music, Omari Tau
(916) 691-7234
williaO@crc.losrios.edu
Contemporary Gospel Choir was founded by Sacramento, California gospel icon, Dr. Precious Bell Craft (1930-2011). Since its inception, the choir has continued to reach students and community members alike in the celebration of the history and diaspora of African-American sacred music.
For more information, contact:
Director of Vocal Music, Omari Tau
(916) 691-7234
williaO@crc.losrios.edu
