UW-Whitewater students don’t have to be majors or minors within the College of Arts and Communication to participate in the clubs and student organizations that the college offers.

Within the theatre/dance
department, students can participate in an organization called the Dance Company.

Associate Professor and advisor to the Dance Company Barbara Grubel said they hold meetings every Wednesday and set up workshops for professionals to come in and teach specific types of dance.

Students in the organization are also involved in the events surrounding homecoming, including the annual variety show.

Students interested in dance can also participate in “DanceScapes,” a performance that occurs each March.

Grubel said that students, faculty members and guest artists choreograph the dance sequences, and auditions will be held to find students who will be performing.

“All you have to bring is yourself,” Grubel said about the “DanceScapes” auditions. “The movement will be taught to you.”

Students also have the opportunity to join several choirs and instrumental groups within the music department.

Director of Choral Activities Dr. Robert Gehrenbeck said students do not have to audition for Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorale or Gospel Choir. They only need to register for the class on WINS and attend the first rehearsals, he added.

However, the Chamber Singers and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble require auditions.

“Anyone can join these choirs, but students need a little more experience because they learn more difficult music at a faster pace,” Gehrenbeck said.

In order to audition for either of these choirs, students need to sign up for a time on the door of room 1003, the location for all rehearsals.

Aside from choirs, the music department also offers several instrumental groups.

Gehrenbeck said these groups have similar audition processes as the choirs on campus.

“There are two orchestras, two bands and several jazz bands,” he said. “They all require auditions except for the concert bands.”

Again, all students on campus are encouraged to participate in any one of these programs.