UW Tacoma wants you to lift your voice and sing

In keeping with a commitment to provide diverse learning opportunities to students and the community, UW Tacoma has founded the new World Voices Vocal Ensemble. This inaugural ensemble is open to students on a credit/no credit basis, and is also open to anyone (students, community members, faculty, staff) who wishes to learn to sing in a safe and energetic environment without enrolling for academic credit.

There is no audition or experience required to participate. World Voices will explore, encourage and reinforce healthy vocal technique, provide an awareness of cultural and historical style, tradition and context, refine listening and reading skills, and provide a community of musicians an opportunity to explore together the power of shared music-making. Members will perform a variety of choral music ranging from gospel, call and response, music of world cultures both contemporary and historic, and popular styles.

This ensemble will be lead by Brian J. Winnie, a predoctoral teaching associate from the University of Washington Seattle. Winnie has eight years of teaching experience including public school, community and university ensembles. He is an active clinician and guest conductor, and is also the current artistic director of the community ensemble ChoralSounds NW in Burien.

“On my first visit to downtown Tacoma it was clear that the community was steeped in tradition, culture, and vitality,” said Winnie. “I hope this shared venture will bring inspiration, joy, and a sense of home to all students, faculty, as well as community and audience members. Let this ‘ensemble’ help us all build new relationships and enrich our community.”

The ensemble will perform an informal concert for the public at the end of the quarter in December in William W. Philip Hall.

The ensemble will meet for rehearsals on Mondays from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. in Carwein Auditorium starting September 24. For students or community members not enrolling for credit, there is a participation fee of $25. The fee can be waived in case of hardship.

UW Tacoma is also offering two other music courses this fall. World Music Vocal Ensemble II offers students more-focused vocal instruction and is taught Wednesday nights from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. For more instruction in world music, students can take Music in Culture, a lecture course that explores the meanings of music.

Students wishing to participate in the ensemble for credit should register for T ARTS 100 in addition to their other courses. Anyone wanting to participate without earning academic credit can contact Brian Winnie at bwinnie@uw.edu or just show up on the first day of class.