Guide to Ensembles

Large Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsal Schedule: September 14 – September 18 (updated 9/14)

General Information:

Instrumental large ensembles primarily rehearse during the following times:

Additional rehearsals:

Each semester, there may be additional rehearsals scheduled outside of the primary time blocks.  These will be posted below and in the “Large Ensemble Concert Schedule” section.  Students are expected to be available to rehearse during the listed times if assigned to that ensemble.

**The Opera Orchestra cycles involve multiple performances and rehearsals outside the standard time.  Please review the ’26-’27 opera rehearsal and performance schedule here.

**Additional rehearsals scheduled for Fall 2026:  

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2026-2027 Large Ensemble Concert Schedule

 *Programs subject to change, please check back regularly for updates

• Fall 2026 Concert Calendar and Repertoire  (updated 8/18)
• Spring 2027 Concert Calendar and Repertoire
• 2026-2027 Opera Orchestra Rehearsal and Performance Calendar

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Personnel Assignments

Fall 2026

Cycle 1

• Musica Nova
• EWO
• EWE
• ESSO – winds
• ESSO – strings
• PHIL – winds
• PHIL – strings
• CHORALE (10/4 concert, instrumental roster)

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Ensemble Practice Parts

Practice parts for inside string players located here.  Hard copies of practice parts provided by request.

Non-string players – contact the Ensemble Library if you would like to request a digital part.  Please note that not all parts will be available in a digital format.  (Also check with the ensemble library before assuming IMSLP parts can be used.  We will confirm if imslp parts are okay, or if digital parts supplied by the library are necessary or recommended.)

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String Seating Auditions

*Fall 2026 auditions are anticipated to run from August 30 – September 6.  Specific dates for each instrument, along with audition time sign-up sheets, will be announced in August.  

• Fall 2026 Instructions and Excerpt List

Click on this link to find PDFs of the excerpts  

check your email for the password to the PDF link, or email Meredith Gangler, mgangler@esm.rochester.edu, if you need the password resent to you.  

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Graduate Conducting Orchestra (GCO)

2026-27 Academic Year:

• Class Time: Tuesdays, 4:00pm-5:40pm
• Classroom: Kodak/OSL 101
• String section size: tbd
• A rotation schedule will be posted below to indicate which weeks players should plan to attend.

Fall 2026 will include a performance – GCO with Eastman-Rochester Chorus (Concert date: Friday, 12/11).  Concert personnel assignments, along with the specific GCO rehearsal days dedicated to concert repertoire, will be announced early in the semester.  In addition to the GCO rehearsals when concert repertoire will be rehearsed, musicians assigned to the concert will need to be available for two evening dress rehearsals (Tuesday 12/8 & Thursday 12/10, 7:30-10:00pm).  

Weekly repertoire and rehearsal schedule will be posted here.  Please check back regularly for updates.

GCO schedule – September 15

GCO Rotation, Fall 2026

December 11 Concert Roster – Mozart Requiem

Beal Institute Recording Session Rosters, Fall 2026

Conducting Orchestra Course Guidelines, 2026-2027

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Choral Ensembles

2026-27 Academic Year Information:

Choir Concert Schedule

• Eastman Chorale: MWF, 1:35pm-2:45pm (location: RWR)
• Eastman Repertory Singers: MW, 3:35-4:45pm (location: RWR)
• Treble Chorus: R, 6:30-8:30pm (location: fall – Lattimore 201, spring – RWR)
• Eastman-Rochester Chorus: T, 7:30-9:45pm (location: RWR)

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Guidelines for Ensemble Participation

Academic Year 2026-2027

• Choral
• Instrumental
• Jazz

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Absence requests:

• See the Guidelines above for detailed absence policies and procedures
• Requests for excused absences must be emailed in advance of rehearsal to the Conducting and Ensembles office
• Instrumental: ensembles@esm.rochester.edu or Meredith Gangler mgangler@esm.rochester.edu
• Choral: Andrea McGaugh amcgaugh@esm.rochester.edu
• In request email, please include the date(s) of the anticipated absence, and a detailed explanation of why an excused absence is being requested.

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Contact Us

Office Location

• Conducting and Ensemble Office & Ensembles Library | OSL 201 | 585-274-1620 | ensembles@esm.rochester.edu

Staff

• Meredith Gangler – Head Ensemble Librarian and Manager | 585-274-1447 | mgangler@esm.rochester.edu
• Mary Mowers – Ensemble Assistant | 585-274-1440 | mmowers@esm.rochester.edu
• Ben Magruder – Library Assistant | 585-274-1620 | bmagruder@esm.rochester.edu
• Andrea McGaugh – Choral Assistant | amcgaugh@esm.rochester.edu

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