From
its inception in 1974, The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University
has emphasized orchestral and chamber music as a central element in
its performing curriculum. As the Shepherd
School has grown and matured, so too has the orchestral program until
it is now made up of a full Symphony Orchestra of one hundred-plus
music students and a Chamber Orchestra made up of some thirty more
music students.
All vocal majors at the Shepherd School participate in the opera program.
Each academic year features two fully-staged major productions both with full orchestra.
In addition there are recitals of opera scenes and arias. Initial
classes focus on acting, movement, and dramatic singing, with students
preparing short scenes and perhaps singing in the chorus of a production.
The Shepherd School of Music features one vocal ensembles. The Rice Chorale is a full chorus of about one hundred twenty
voices. All voice majors and all music majors who are not orchestral
instrumentalists sing in Rice Chorale.
