Guelph Places Third in National Music Poll
September 13, 2013 - Campus Bulletin
The University of Guelph has placed third for musical culture on Canadian campuses, according to results of a CBC poll announced today.
The nationwide, online poll asked alumni and students to vote for the school with the best campus music culture. Wilfrid Laurier University won the top spot, with the University of King’s College second. Guelph came third, ahead of Brandon University and Mount Allison University.
Musical culture at Guelph includes the BA in music offered by the School of Fine Arts and Music (SOFAM). Students learn musical theory; intellectual approaches to the history of music literature; and the cultural contexts, meaning and significance of classical, world and popular music.
Students from all majors participate in instrumental and choral ensembles on campus.
The University of Guelph Concert Winds Ensemble consists of 50 pieces. The group rehearses weekly and performs two to three concerts a year. Other instrumental groups are the U of G Chamber Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble.
Choral groups on campus include the U of G Chamber Singers, which won third prize in the 2012 Mosbach Chamber Choir Competition. The Women’s Chamber Choir represented U of G at Podium 2012 in Ottawa. Other groups are the University of Guelph Men’s Choir and the Symphonic/Philharmonic Choir, which formed in 1969.
Open Mic nights in the Bullring pub take place Wednesday evenings during the fall and winter semesters; musicians play live there most afternoons.
SOFAM has run the Thursdays at Noon concert series on campus for 45 years.
The Guelph Jazz Festival has run for 20 years and involves concerts on campus and downtown as well as a colloquium held on campus at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre.
Guelph grads whose music has gained fame include Andrea Lindsay, whose second album won francophone album of the year at the 2010 Juno Awards; Jesse Stewart, whose recording with Stretch Orchestra won a Juno in 2012 for instrumental album of the year; Stuart and Jenna Walker, a brother-and-sister country music duo that make up The Reklaws; Brian Morcombe, a 2012 Juno nominee in the children’s album category; John O’Regan, a pop and punk rock musician; and folk musicians Jane Siberry, Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville.
