Instrumental Music

VC Instrumental Program Kept Making Music During the Pandemic

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the VC instrumental ensembles moved online for over a year, but that did not stop us from making great music! Students learned invaluable skills during this time and presented multiple virtual performances. The Chamber Music students learned about music from other cultures, presenting music from Latin America, Japan, and the Middle East. In addition, students composed and performed their own music compositions. The VC Symphony Orchestra recorded two large works: Lake Dunmore by Lilac Atassi and Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez, in addition to arranging and recording iconic symphonic works. The Chamber Orchestra performed a new work by Wadada Leo Smith, recorded duos of themselves playing both parts, and collaborated with the vocal program on the opera Angel’s Bone by Du Yun.

Check out some of our past performances here.

In the Ventura College chamber music program, students play and perform in small ensembles. Groups meet twice weekly in preparation for at least two concerts per semester. Students learn how to run their own rehearsals and play without a conductor while focusing on group intonation, sound, and rhythmic cohesion. Each ensemble receives coaching from instructor Ashley Walters, in addition to coaching with guest faculty through the Schwab Extension Program. Students are assigned to one or two groups per semester with some students playing in ensembles alongside VC faculty. All instruments are welcome.

Class time: T/TH 3:30 - 4:45

Enroll in: MUS-V21ABC/MUS-V22ABC

Ashley Walters, director   
Transfer credit: CSU; UC

The VC Symphony Orchestra is the largest ensemble at the college and is conducted by Ashley Walters. The group is open to VC students, pre-college students, and community members. The ensemble performs a wide range of symphonic repertoire, from the masterworks of Beethoven and Brahms to the music of living composers.

Students are subject to audition for Symphony Orchestra after the first rehearsal, for proper sectional placement.

Class time: F: 3:30pm-6:20pm

Enroll in: MUS-V14ABC/MUS-V15/MUS-V34

Ashley Walters, director   
Transfer credit: CSU; UC

The VC Chamber Orchestra is a small, conducted ensemble open by audition to advanced pre-college and college students. This selective ensemble provides a focused study of the chamber orchestra repertoire. It tackles challenging repertoire and performs at least twice per semester. The ensemble performs iconic pieces by baroque, classical, and romantic composers alongside works by today’s most relevant composers.

Class time: THURSDAYS: 7:00pm-9:00pm

To audition for this ensemble, please email Ashley Walters.

Ashley Walters, director   
Transfer credit: CSU; UC