Finding Your Place On Campus

| Cadenza Staff

Welcome to college. You’re probably feeling out of place right now. Maybe you were the violin virtuoso in high school or perhaps the dancing queen. Good thing Wash. U. has many ways for you to continue your passion. Whether you love to rap or rhyme, sing and dance or act like a fool in front or behind the scenes, there is a place for you. Here are the facts on a few of the activities you can join.

If you’re an
Orchestra Dork…

You need to register for private music lessons and music ensembles if you want to put them on your schedule. Don’t worry if you haven’t done that yet! You have until Sept. 14 to change your schedule. If you just don’t have room in your schedule there are still plenty of activities to join. If you want to see specific audition times for curricular orchestras, bands, and choirs go to music.wustl.edu/dates.

WU Pops is a non-credit, student only orchestra. It’s made up of about 50 members from all different majors. The orchestra plays contemporary music from popular movies, musicals and bands. Past pieces played include music from “Wicked,” “Forrest Gump,” “Spiderman” and “Schindler’s List.” They perform one concert in the fall and the spring. The first rehearsal is Sept. 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the 560 Music Building. You may want to look the building up on a map first. It’s on the west end of the Delmar Loop near the Scientology Church. Grab a music buddy, and don’t get lost!

If you’re hopelessly in love with a cappella…

After Dark is a self-described “vibrant” co-ed a cappella group. Members compose their own arrangements and have won awards such as Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards for Best Co-Ed Collegiate Song. They compete annually at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella and rehearse 6 to 8 hours a week. Auditions are Sept. 2-5. Prepare 30-45 seconds of a song of choice for auditions. For more information and videos see afterdark.wustl.edu.

Greenleafs. Sorry guys! This one is females only. They are the only all-female a cappella group and the second oldest a cappella groups on campus. They believe that singing is always fun and that girl-bonds last forever. They hold an annual concert each fall: Green Eggs and Jam. Past songs performances have included songs by the Dixie Chicks, Taylor Swift, The Fray and Imogen Heap. Auditions are at the beginning of fall and spring. Fall auditions are the first week in September. Prepare a chorus or verse from your favorite song. If you want a tight-knit group of girlfriends, this one is for you. For photos, music and more fun see greenleafsacappella.com.

Mosaic Whispers is proudly the oldest co-ed a cappella group on campus. They arrange their own music and compete at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. If you want a family feel and a musical challenge, pick Mosaic Whispers. Auditions are at the beginning of each semester. Fall auditions are Sept. 3-5. Prepare under a minute of your favorite song. For more reasons to join Whispers, see mosaicwhipsers.wustl.edu.

More Fools Than Wise is for you if you want something more traditional. It is an a cappella chamber ensemble. The group sings madrigals, motets and jazz arrangements. It performs for private events and hosts a Madrigal Feaste in the fall while wearing full Renaissance garb. Audition sign ups began on Aug. 30. Auditions are the first two weeks of September. Practice and perform the audition piece given when signing up. For pictures and more information see fools.wustl.edu.

The Stereotypes. No girls allowed in this clubhouse! The Stereotypes are an all–male a cappella group that work to break the mold of stereotypical male choirs. Rehearsals are self-described as fast-paced, unruly and exciting. The group performs a wide variety of contemporary genres including punk, rock, and pop. The Stereotypes travel extensively to places such as Northern California and Boston. Members arrange their own music and choreograph the occasional silly dance. Auditions will be Sept. 4-5 from 12-9 p.m. For hilarious photos and bios see thestereotypes.org.

If you’re head over heels for dance…

Performing Art Department (PAD) Productions. Auditions for the Wash. U. Dance Theatre will be Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Annelise Mertz Dance Studio. For more information on any PAD production, see pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

If you’re a total Drama Geek (or Gleek)…

Performing Arts Department productions. Drama auditions will be Sept. 2-3 with callbacks September 4 and 5. Sign up for a time on the PAD Callboard, located outside of Mallinckrodt room 312.

All-Student Theatre is a collaborative group effort to produce and perform a student show in the Quad. Everyone and anyone is allowed to participate in many different aspects. The theatre hosts a fall talent show to fundraise for the spring show. Auditions for the spring show are late January. If you want to submit ideas or submissions for the show, email AST at [email protected].

If you’re a whiz at improvising…

Suspicious of Whistlers is a long form improv comedy troupe. The group takes suggestions from the audience and puts on a 30-minute improvised set. Membership is through audition. The group performs at the national level at Del Close Festival in New York and the Chicago Improv Festival. Members also travel to North Carolina (Comedic Arts Festival), New York and Chicago annually. Rehearsals run for six hours a week, and auditions are Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in front of Shepley. Auditionees will participate in warm-ups and exercises with the improv group. Callbacks will be Sept. 15. To see photos and more information, go to getsuspicious.com.

Mama’s Pot Roast is the longest running improv comedy group on campus. The group performs short form improv and original sketches. Membership is through audition. Mama’s Pot Roast often travels annually to Chicago to observe shows and participate in workshops. It also performs on campus in the semi-annual Knighta Komedy. Auditions are Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in front of Shepley. Auditionees will participate in warm-ups and exercises with the improv group. Callbacks will be Sept. 15. If you would like to see examples of improv games the troupe plays, see mamaspotroast.com and click on “Games”.

KARL is a short form improv troupe. The group plays games similar to what is seen on “Who’s Line is it Anyway.” Membership is through audition. KARL has been known to open for professional comedians such as BJ Novak and Craig Robinson. It also travels often including annually to Chicago to observe shows and participate in workshops and offers three full-length shows. The troupe practices two hours twice a week. KARL will be opening for the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB alumni include Amy Poehler, Ed helms and Rob Corddry) Oct. 1. Auditions are Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in front of Shepley. Auditionees will participate in warm-ups and exercises with the improv group. Callbacks will be Sept. 15. To see funny videos and game examples search KARL improv on youtube.com.

If your dream is to work with TV…

WUTV is free on channel 22 on campus cable. It broadcasts students’ original shows and films. You can become involved in a preexisting show or propose your own. WUTV offers opportunity for students to gain experience in video production and broadcasting. Alumni of WUTV have worked for Good Morning America, Fear Factor and Invasion. The studio is located on the third floor of the Danforth University Center. WUTV has weekly meetings at Sunday at 6 p.m. The first meeting will be Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. in the WUTV studio (third floor of the DUC in the Harvey Media Center). Several existing shows are looking for cast and crew. If you don’t know you’re way around the airwaves and cameras, don’t worry. New students will be trained to use the equipment and editing software. Check out WUTV’s cool founding story and more at wutv.wustl.edu.

If you’re always speaking with meter and rhyme…

WU-SLam is a spoken word and slam poetry group. It welcomes all students and their stories. WU-SLam has won awards such as Best Performance and Best Poem at the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational. There are three ways to get involved: Inklings, Performance Crew and National Slam Team. Inklings is a weekly writing workshop each Monday at 8 PM in Ursa’s Fireside. Performance Crew performs at various venues and events. Auditions are early October with rolling auditions later. Performance crew meets once a week Saturday at 1 p.m. The National Slam team spends the second semester preparing for the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational. To place on the National team, you must come in the top four at the Grand Slam January 28. Join Inklings, audition for Performance Crew or compete in monthly slams during the fall semester. To see their calendar and highlight videos see wuslam.wustl.edu.
For even more groups see su.wustl.edu/directory.

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