Crescendo has several ensemble opportunities available to our students. Ensemble membership is by teacher recommendation and/or audition. For more information on any of our ensembles, contact the office at information@crescendoacademy.com.
Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra
The Kalamazoo Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra is a plucked string ensemble consisting of mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, guitars, and bass. The KMGO was founded in 2003 to revive the mandolin orchestra tradition in Kalamazoo. Under the direction of conductor Miles Kusik, the orchestra enjoys performing a wide variety of music including classical, ethnic, and “golden era” mandolin orchestra music. The orchestra has premiered original music composed for the orchestra and has sponsored workshops with international mandolin virtuosi.
Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings at 7:15 at Crescendo. Membership is by audition. Registration fee is $75 per year. For more information, contact the office or go to the KMGO website.
Crescendo Fiddlers
Directed by Sarah Hedlund, the Crescendo Fiddlers (CF) meet from 10:30-11:30 am on Saturdays twice a month. Classes are held in the Crescendo large ensemble room. Members should have a minimum of two years’ playing experience; understanding of keys up to three sharps and two flats; rhythms including dotted-eighth/sixteenths and triplets, common time, 3/4 and 6/8 time.
Members must take private lessons; CF is not intended to replace private instruction. No audition is required, though a teacher recommendation is appreciated. Fees vary with session length.
Southwest Michigan Flute Ensemble
Our flute ensemble is directed by Penny Kohns. This flute ensemble is a collaboration between Crescendo and the Citadel Dance and Music Center in Benton Harbor, and meets at a central location. Currently, rehearsals are held on Mondays 7-8pm at Grace Christian School in Watervliet. Flute Choir is for adults and advanced college students. Membership is by audition. Performance and chamber music opportunities include playing alto and bass flute. Fee is $150.00.
Children’s Guitar Ensemble
The Children’s Guitar Ensemble is directed by Miles Kusik. The ensemble meets Monday evenings at Crescendo; membership is for acoustic guitar students and is by audition.
Small Ensemble Coaching
Coaching for small ensembles is also available when requested by our students. Arrangements for coaching should be made with directly with the instructor. Fees for coaching vary by size of ensemble and length of the coaching session. Contact the office for more information.
