Music at YDS

Something many students realize when they head out to internships or work in other churches and congregations is that they have become spoiled rotten when it comes to amazing music. Marquand chapel is always filled with wonderful singers and fantastic musicians, and the general quality of music throughout one's life at YDS is far greater than the average graduate student. This is in large part due to the Institute of Sacred Music, a partner institute of Yale Divinity School, and also just the incredible assortment of talented individuals drawn to this campus. This post is written specifically for those students who are not music students in the ISM, and therefore might need to seek out a few different ways to become involved musically on campus. This is certainly not comprehensive, but it should give you a good idea of some of the opportunities that are out there!

Every week day, students are invited to attend a chapel service in Marquand chapel from 10:30am-11:00am, and these services vary in structure and presentation due to the ecumenical nature of YDS as well as the diversity of its community. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to become involved in Marquand daily chapel services - there are sign-up sheets outside of Marquand for readers, musicians, liturgical dancers, etc. - and many students are able to showcase their vocal talents in the Marquand Chapel Choir, the Gospel Choir, as cantors, or as a part of song leaders for a particular chapel service. Each day there is also a selection of student musicians playing everything from the drums to the organ to the flute. Marquand is a great place to exercise those music muscles, and if you are involved with a student group organizing a service, it might turn into a great place to work out those liturgical planning muscles as well.

YDS also has two a cappella singing groups, the Bible Belters and the Sacramental Winers. These groups are student-run and are known for being kind of goofy. They typically hold auditions for new members at the start of each school year, rehearse about once a week, and perform at YDS functions. It's a low-key, low-pressure, fun way to get to know some new folks interested in singing, learn a few fun songs, and hoodwink your way into more YDS parties. There are also a few a cappella groups that are comprised of students from across the Yale graduate and professional spectrum, including The Citations (co-ed) who sing at a number of fancy Yale-wide events as well as a standing gig at Mory's, and the Academia Nuts (female). There is also What's On Tap, a Yale post-graduate group. These groups have their own concerts in addition to performing at a number of Yale-wide functions. Each group will hold their own auditions and has a bit of their own style.

The Yale Camerata is a town and gown group sponsored by the Insitute of Sacred Music that sing all over the place and sometimes even get paid to do it. They are amazing, and sing everything under the sun but specialize in new compositions. They audition at the beginning of each year, and rehearse once a week. There is also a chamber choir made up of about 1/3 of the Camerata singers that have their own private performances in addition to performing as part of each Camerata event. If you are serious about singing and have the time to commit, Yale Camerata is definitely something worth looking into.

Since there are so many talented folks at YDS, occasionally student chamber groups will form on their own. We've heard tell of a woodwind group that used to get together every Friday. There are churches downtown that have jazz services, and plenty of Yale events always seeking student musicians, including many at the Battell Chapel. A couple of the YDS staff are even in a surf rock band that plays at local bars, called North Shore Troubadours. If you want to be involved in music at YDS there are plenty of ways to do it, including free instrumental and vocal lessons. Be proactive about getting together with fellow students and taking the opportunities that come up to perform, and pretty soon you'll be playing Madison Square Garden. Well, maybe just the Sterling Divinity Quad - either way it'll be gratifying.