Chamber Ensembles

Afro-Cuban Drum and Dance Ensemble

The University of Iowa Afro-Cuban Drum and Dance Ensemble (ACDDE) is an interdisciplinary music and dance group in the Division of Performing Arts. It explores folkloric dance, drumming, and songs of the culturally rich Afro-Cuban traditions.

The ensemble is led by Dan Stark, Paul Cunliffe (Department of Dance) and James Dreier ( School of Music). This group of faculty has traveled to Cuba several times, including a trip in 2003 with students from the ACDDE to study with the legendary “rumba” group Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.

The ACDDE performs several times throughout the year, including an annual performance at the “Space Place Theater,” sponsored by the UI Dance Dept (Alan Senar, Chair). The group also performs community outreach programs through UI Arts Share for schools and performance centers throughout Iowa.

Membership in the ensemble is drawn from the Afro-Cuban dance class (137:174), and the Afro-Cuban drum class (025:173), which are open to all University of Iowa students (instructor permission required for the drum class).

Center for New Music

The Center for New Music is a performing organization devoted to 20th century repertoire and is the focus of contemporary composition and performance at the University of Iowa. The Center, like the internationally renowned Writers Workshop, embodies the institution's commitment to the vital role of the creative arts at the frontiers of human experience.

The Center functions as a laboratory and performance extension of the School's composition area, and as a repertory ensemble for the creation and presentation of new music in general. Depending on funding, the size of the core ensemble has varied from as many as 26 persons to as few as three players. Extra players are hired on occasion in order to present larger-scale compositions. The Center also serves as the locus of activities for guest composers whose visits range from a few days to entire academic terms. Contact David Gompper for more information.

The Double Reed Ensemble of Iowa

The Double Reed Ensemble of Iowa was designed as a chamber music class to provide students with greater exposure to the various musical genres as well as new performance opportunities and experiences. This course has gone far beyond the rhetoric of a survey class and into the core content: the art and joy of music through live performance.

The ensemble leads an exciting and vigorous life style under the direction of Mark Weiger, oboe professor at the University of Iowa. Since its inception in 1989, the group has gained national recognition premiering original compositions and new arrangements. In 1991, the Double Reed Ensemble of Iowa fashioned a monumental 12-day tour in which 20 lecture/performances were presented throughout Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. In the following years this ensemble has performed in some 15 states. In 1993, a recording contract was secured with CRS of Philadelphia. In 1994-95 our first CD was recorded with the members of Wizards! In 1994-96 the ensemble commissioned and premiered works by Graham Powning (Australia), Tedrow Perkins (OH), Warren Gooch (MO), Lars Michnevich (WY), Scott Miller (MN), and Philip Schroeder (TX). In the 1996-97 season, the Double Reed Ensemble of Iowa will be involved in recording our second CD which will be of works by Graham Powning.

The ensemble has gained a national reputation through its presentations, unique repertoire and approach which, in turn, has inspired the development of offshoot ensembles in Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Vermont, Maine, and France. The search for repertoire took me to Europe during the summer of 1991 and England during the winter break of 1993, where I was able to locate literature that could not be found in the states or that is no longer in print. This lead me to compile and publish (The Journal of the International Double Reed Society) the largest known listing of double reed ensemble music.

Gamut (Soundpainting Ensemble)

Soundpainting is a system of gestures that structures improvisation, invented by New York conductor/composer Walter Thompson over twenty years ago. A soundpainting ensemble is directed by a composer/conductor who shapes the piece with gestures in response to the improvisations of the players. Gamut, an improvising chamber ensemble of approximately a dozen players, was founded at UI in 2002 by Evan Mazunik, who produced a CD of the group (“Countermeasures”) in 2004. Mr. Mazunik will be assistant conductor to Walter Thompson, who will visit UI as an Ida Beam Distinguished Visiting Professor to conduct the premiere of his soundpainting opera, "Columbus", in the fall of 2004. Beginning in the spring of 2005, the new director of Gamut will be Jeffrey Agrell, who has studied Soundpainting with Walter Thompson in New York.

Horn Choir

The University of Iowa Horn Choir has had a long history: it was first directed years ago by Paul Anderson, then by Kristin Thelander in the 1990s, and, since 2000, Jeffrey Agrell, who has played with horn ensembles in Minneapolis, St Olaf College, Anchorage, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lucerne (Switzerland), and most recently with Confluence, the professional New York horn ensemble.

The horn ensemble enjoys a rich and varied repertoire from Renaissance and Baroque to jazz, contemporary, even improvisation and Soundpainting, from 3 parts to 12 parts. The horn, with its four octave range, is capable of tremendous versatility of sound and style. The University of Iowa Horn Choir is open to all advanced horn players attending the university as well as amateur players who live in the community and surrounding areas. The group meets weekly during part of the spring semester and gives an annual concert in April. A horn ensemble workshop for high school players is given on the day of this concert, and participants then join the UI Horn Choir for several numbers on the concert. The Horn Choir also performs other concerts in the area or at national conferences, such as its appearance at the Dubuque Festival of Trees and at the 2001 Workshop of the International Horn Society in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Iowa Horn Quartet

The Iowa Horn Quartet is a relatively new ensemble, consisting of horn professor Jeffrey Agrell and three horn majors (graduate or undergraduate). Participation is determined by audition in the fall. The group plays concerts and gives workshops around the area and the state and performs regular concerts and for special events.

Saxophone Ensemble

The University of Iowa Saxophone Ensemble was founded in the spring of 2003 and is conducted by Professor Kenneth Tse. It involves all the students from the saxophone studio and includes sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxophones. The ensemble performs music of a variety of styles, difficulties and sometimes with guest soloists. A public concert is given at the end of each school year. Besides concerts within the community, the ensemble may also travel to perform in regional and national conferences.

Last updated 23-aug-07