Alexandria Campus Ensembles

Do you have an instrument at home that is not getting used much? Did you used to play an instrument and want to pick it back up? Are you majoring in another subject, but don’t want to lose your musical skills? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider joining one of NOVA’s musical ensembles. The groups are made up of community members of all ages in addition to students majoring in music. All of our ensembles perform on campus at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center and off-campus as well. Our ensembles have traveled the world and performed in prestigious music venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Blues Alley, and the National Theater. Registration is open to all; however, participation is subject to approval by the ensemble director.

• Band
• Chorus
• Jazz Ensemble
• Chamber Ensembles

Band

The Alexandria Campus Band was formed to provide a forum for NOVA’s music students to gain experience performing and to reach out to the community. The band was founded in the fall of 1977 under the leadership of Dr. Robert Petrella. The second band conductor was Dr. Wendy Matthews, now a professor at Wayne State University. The current director is Dr. Lisa Eckstein. The band has performed at the Kennedy Center, Georgetown University, the George Washington Masonic Temple, and other sites in the metropolitan area. The band has collaborated with soloists from the local military bands, the George Mason University Wind Symphony, and the Prince William Community Band. To participate in this group, register for MUS 149 section 001A.

For more information, contact Dr. Eckstein at leckstein@nvcc.edu.

NOVA Community Chorus

The Community Chorus is a part of the Music Program at NOVA’s Alexandria Campus. The ensemble, comprising singers from both the College and the surrounding community, is open to all interested singers without audition. The chorus has distinguished itself both locally and internationally. It performs regularly in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall on the NOVA campus and has performed with the Alexandria Band, the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, and the Alexandria Symphony. Special engagements in past years have included Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the National Theater. The chorus toured Spain and performed at the 1992 World’s Fair in Seville. The chorus has sung in England (2006), at the Leipzig International Choral Festival in Germany (2008), and in France (2010).

Membership: Membership in the chorus requires registration for MUS 137. Registration is open to all; each member is expected to attend rehearsal regularly and diligently practice with music and audio recordings. Membership in the chorus is maintained through registration in a one-credit course at NOVA’s Alexandria Campus every Fall and Spring semester. Rehearsals are on Tuesday nights, 7-9:30 pm.

Contact Director Mary-Hannah Klontz for further information at mklontz@nvcc.edu.

Chorus Director Mary-Hannah Klontz

Mary-Hannah Klontz received a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from George Mason University, an M.M. in French Horn Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a B.M. Music Education in French Horn, with a minor in Piano and Voice, from the University of Akron. Klontz began her career as a professional horn player, but her love of teaching drew her into a career in education where she has taught at every level. Ensembles under the direction of Dr. Klontz have received the highest accolades and been invited to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Conference, The White House, The National Cathedral, and The Millennium Stage of the Kennedy Center. She is active as a guest clinician, vocalist, and composer. Klontz also leads the choral adjudicator certification program of the Virginia Choral Directors Association and directs Excelsior Voices, a community youth choir in Woodbridge, VA. Her composition, “Point Me to the Stars”, is published with Hal Leonard in the Henry Leck Choral Artistry Series. In addition, Klontz is the editor of a new critical edition of Arnold Schoenberg’s “De Profundis” (Psalm 130), Op. 50B, which is available as a digital download in PDF, mp3, and digital notation files.

Jazz Ensemble

Whether you are pursuing our Associate of Applied Arts (A.A.A.) degree in Jazz/Pop music, already play jazz and want to meet other musicians, or just want to learn the basics of improvisation and swing, there is a place for you at NOVA’s Alexandria Campus. We believe that education should be open to all. Our multi-faceted program requires no audition. You can begin taking classes right away. Our students transfer to some of the country’s best music schools, and you can hear NOVA alumni at clubs and gigs all around the D.C. area.

Classes Offered:

• Jazz Ensemble (MUS 135)
• Improvisational Techniques (MUS 159)
• Advanced Improvisational Techniques (MUS 259)
• History of Jazz (MUS 225)
• Jazz Chamber Ensembles (MUS 144)

Private Instruction: Private lessons from jazz professionals are available in various instruments, including piano, guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone.

The flagship group, the NOVA Alexandria Jazz Ensemble, is a 20+ member big band performing classic and original works. Membership requires registration for MUS 135 section 001A.

Contact Prof. Shannon Gunn at sgunn@nvcc.edu or call 571-318-6278 for more information.