Ensembles
The School’s ensembles provide students with a comprehensive experience performing music of various periods and genres.
These groups meet weekly onsite at Diller-Quaile and perform in the School’s major concerts, including the Winter Ensembles Concert, Holiday Choral Concert, Winter Chamber Soirée, Spring Chamber Recital, and Spring Ensembles Concert.
Chorus
Diller-Quaile's Choruses provide sequential study of choral literature for young voices and teach the fundamentals of vocal technique. Through choral repertoire spanning various periods and styles, students develop ensemble skills, sight-singing skills, comfort with score reading, and music literacy. Diller-Quaile choruses perform in the School’s large ensemble concerts each semester.
Young Children’s Chorus
Grades 1-3
Wednesdays | 3:40 - 4:25 PM
Intermediate Chorus
Grades 4-8
Wednesdays | 4:30-5:20 PM
The Diller-Quaile Chorus
Grades 5-8
Mondays | 4:45-5:30 PM
Orchestras
Diller-Quaile’s orchestras provide ensemble and performance opportunities for intermediate through advanced players. The orchestras focus on the development of strong ensemble skills and reading, as students learn to follow a conductor and become acquainted with music of various periods and styles. All orchestras perform each semester at the School’s large ensemble concerts.
Advanced students audition for The Diller-Quaile Orchestra. Playing is on a highly polished level, with emphasis on stylistic nuance, phrasing, sight-reading, and sophisticated ensemble playing. Orchestra coaches play along with the students and conduct sectionals, offering advice and practical suggestions on all aspects of orchestral playing. Orchestra mentors rehearse and play alongside students in performance, providing students a glimpse at the work of the young professional musician.
Intermediate Orchestra
Mondays | 6:30 - 7:30 PM
The Diller-Quaile Orchestra
Mondays | 7:45 - 8:45 PM
Diller-Quaile Youth Opera
Diller-Quaile Youth Opera provides a unique opportunity for young singers to experience the preparation and performance of opera in a supportive setting. Students rehearse and perform solos, scenes, and choruses from Baroque through Contemporary operas and staged works, with an emphasis on works composed specifically for young singers. rehearsals focus on musical style, language, diction, character development, and stagecraft, leading to a performance at the end of the season. An important aspect of Diller-Quaile Youth Opera is that students have the opportunity to be mentored by and perform with professional singers. Repertoire assignments are based on age, level, and voice category, as music is customized for individual singers and the ensemble. An audition is required.
Diller-Quaile Youth Opera
Wednesdays | 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Chamber Music
Intermediate and advanced students explore score reading and ensemble playing in ensembles of two to eight players or singers, which meet weekly throughout the school year. Ensembles study a wide range of repertoire from the works of Baroque through Contemporary composers and are shaped according to level. Placement auditions are held in the spring for returning students and during interviews for new students.