Auditions Underway For College Performance Ensembles

 WATERBURY — Singers, dancers, musicians and theater enthusiasts are invited to audition for Naugatuck Valley Community College’s performance ensembles.

The NVCC Choir, led by director and conductor Richard Gard, performs at the college and within the community.  Members attend rehearsals Monday evenings, or Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Mr Gard, who was appointed coordinator of the music program this summer, completed his doctoral coursework as a named scholar and fellow at Yale University.

The Gospel Singers, under direction of James Hurdle, performs in concert each winter and spring at the college, and within the greater Waterbury community. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings.

The NVCC Jazz Band, led by Joseph Jacovino Jr, performs in concert twice a year at the college, and also accepts bookings to perform at public and private functions within the community.  Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings.

For more information, or to schedule an audition for the choir and jazz ensemble, contact the NVCC music department at 203-575-8039. Auditions are not required to participate in the gospel choir.

The Valley Dance Ensemble, led by Elena Rusnak, associate professor of dance and chair of the college’s fine arts program, meets on Monday evenings. Participants learn techniques of choreography and performance, develop composition and production techniques, and participate in dance concerts. To schedule an audition, call 203-575-8179.

In “The Theatre Company,” participants work behind the scenes in lighting, the scene shop, costumes, sound, marketing and stage management during upcoming productions presented by The New Zenith Theatre. To audition for acting and production roles, contact New Zenith artistic director Ed Wierzbicki at 203-575-8038.

Registration for each group is $40. Rehearsals run in conjunction with the fall credit semester, which began August 26. The courses may also be taken for college credit.