Don Wright Faculty of Music
The Don Wright Faculty of Music is the music school of The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. More than 500 undergraduate students and 110 graduate students are fostered by over 100 internationally renowned faculty members. The Faculty is one of Canada's leading music schools and produces over 300 performances annually. Dean is Dr. Robert Wood, Associate Dean is Dr. Victoria Meredith.[1]
Departments
The Don Wright Faculty of Music comprises three departments. The Department of Music Performance Studies offers instruction in all areas of keyboard, orchestral and band instruments, and voice at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; the Department of Music Education offers a strong emphasis on the balance between music performance and academic training at the undergraduate level, and a flexible, research-based program at the graduate level; the Department of Music Research and Composition, embracing four areas of study in musicology, music theory, popular music studies, and composition.
Ensembles
The Faculty of Music Ensembles are recognized as some of the best in Canada. Both choral and instrumental groups have performed by invitation at major events. Placement in all ensembles is by audition and permission of the Dean. Typically ensembles rehearse four hours per week and present between three and 10 concerts per year.
The main ensembles in 2010-2011 and their directors are:
- UWOpera - Theodore Baerg, John Hess, Mark Payne and Sophie Roland
- UWO Symphony Orchestra - Geoffrey Moull
- UWO Singers - Victoria Meredith and Gerald Neufeld
- Wind Ensemble - Colleen Richardson
- UWO Chamber Orchestra - Geoffrey Moull
- Early Music Studio - Joseph Lanza
Venues
Alumni Hall
Since it was built in the 1960s, the Alumni Hall stage has hosted the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Canadian Opera Company and a variety of Pop artists running the gamut from Tom Jones to Bob Dylan to Celine Dion. It is also the home of The UWO Symphony Orchestra, which performs every season in the 2,300-seat hall.
Paul Davenport Theatre
The Paul Davenport Theatre (formerly Talbot Theatre) hosts over 200 performances per year, attended by more than 32,000 people. From UWO Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble concerts, to the summer home of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, to performances given by dance troops galore, it is a cornerstone to the faculty, city, and country. Completed in August 2009, the Paul Davenport Theatre received a $5.0 million facelift. $2.5 was committed by the university with the remaining $2.5 million coming through fundraising.
Von Kuster Hall
The 248 seat von Kuster Recital Hall is home to more than 270 performances each year between September and May. The hall is primarily used as a venue for the performance of chamber music and small ensembles.