Performance Opportunities

The Performing Arts department at Misericordia University is dedicated to giving students as many opportunities as possible to develop skills as musicians, actors, and dancers. Many of these are available for credit, and many do not require an audition to join. For more information about any of these, contact the teacher listed or John Curtis, Director of Performing Arts, at jcurtis@misericordia.edu, or call (570) 674-6739.

Chamber Singers
Misericordia Players
Wind Ensemble
Jazz Band
Flute Ensemble
Dance classes
Applied Music

Chamber Singers
Directed by John Curtis
jcurtis@misericordia.edu

Chamber Singers is a small select chorus which performs throughout the year at university functions and at a variety of locations in the community. Recent repertoire has ranged from Pfautsch’s Musicks Empire to Chinese folk music. The choir has won first-place honors four years in a row in the adult chorus category of the Cynonfardd Eistedfodd, a Welsh singing competition in Edwardsville, PA.

How to get involved
The chorus is open to all students without audition, although some prior choral singing experience is a plus. Rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30 – 2:20 in the Ensemble Room on the lower level of Insalaco Hall. New students may join during the first two weeks of each semester. To receive one credit, register for FA604 (Chamber Singers).

Misericordia Players
Directed by Don Hopkins
dhopkins@misericordia.edu

The Misericordia Players present one major production per semester-- whether it be a comedy, musical, Shakespearean classic or a mystery. Several other smaller showcases, such as cabarets and other events, are held during each semester, providing a variety of performance opportunities. Students are given the chance to work behind the scenes with constructing the sets, working with lighting and sound, doing publicity and more. The Players also bring theater to the community by performing small skits and stories in schools, assisted living facilities and other locations. Recent productions have included the comedy Lend Me a Tenor, the musical Pippin, and Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors.

How to get involved
Auditions are held early in the semester and are announced through campus media. To receive one credit, register for FA120 (Theater Productions).

Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band
Directed by Jack Mainwaring
jmainwar@misericordia.edu

How to get involved
The Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band are open to all students without audition, though the ability to play an instrument is a must, and students must provide their own instruments. The bands are also open to alumni and friends of the university. Hour-long rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings ¬– 6:00 for the Jazz Band and 7:00 for the Wind Ensemble – in the Insalaco Hall Ensemble Room. New students may join during the first two weeks of each semester. To receive one credit, register for FA605 (Instrumental Ensemble) and/or FA606 (Jazz Band).

Flute Ensemble
Directed by Julia Bojarcik
jbojarck@misericordia.edu

MU’s newest musical ensemble has begun in Fall semester ’09. Recognizing that flutes have a uniquely blended sound when played together, Ms. Bojarcik has revived this Misericordia tradition from years gone by.

How to get involved
The Flute Ensemble meets in the Insalaco Hall Ensemble Room at a time convenient to all involved. Contact Dr. Curtis for more information. To receive one credit, register for FA607 (Flute Ensemble)

Dance classes
Taught by Gina Malsky and Raphael and Lauren Cooper
gmalsky@misericordia.edu
rcooper@misericordia.edu

MU dance classes offer a wide variety of styles geared to students of many ability levels, from beginners to advanced. All classes meet in the Anderson Center dance studio and lead to a public performance at the end of the semester in the Lemmond Theater. The instructors for each class will have information at the first class on proper attire and footwear.

How to get involved
Register for the appropriate class before the beginning of the semester or during the first two weeks of classes. Each class is one elective credit.

FA215 section 1: Beginning Jazz Dance
Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

FA215 section 2: Advanced Jazz Dance
Thursdays 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

FA216: Ballet (intermediate to advanced)
Fridays 12:00 – 1:00

FA228: Ballroom Dance
Thursdays7:30 – 8:30

Applied Music
Private instruction for instruments and voice

Students registered for Applied Music receive a weekly half-hour private lesson with an expert instructor. All levels of ability are welcome, from beginner to advanced, and times are arranged at the mutual convenience of the student and the instructor during the first week of classes. Except for piano and voice instruction, students must provide their own instruments. A $100 lesson fee is assessed by the university each semester.

How to get involved
Register for the appropriate class before the beginning of the semester or during the first two weeks of classes. Each class is one elective credit.

FA117 section 1: Voice
Instructor: Mrs. Judy Curtis
jcurtis2@misericordia.edu

FA117 section 2: Voice
Instructor: Mrs. Jean Grube
jgrube@misericordia.edu

FA117 section 3: Piano
Instructor: Mrs. Tsukasa Waltich
twaltich@misericordia.edu

FA117 section 4: Jazz Piano
Instructor: Mr. Jim Waltich
twaltich@misericordia.edu

FA117 section 5: Guitar
Instructor: Dr. George Sprengelmeyer
gsprenge@misericordia.edu

FA117 section 6: Guitar
Instructor: Mr. Nick Sapiego
nsapiego@misericordia.edu

FA117 section 8: Flute
Instructor: Mrs. Julia Bojarcik
jbojarck@misericordia.edu

FA117 section 9: Conducting
Instructor: Dr. John Curtis
jcurtis@misericordia.edu