Student Engagement

Student Engagement 

Student engagement opportunities offered at Bridgewater College enrich student learning outside of the classroom. Students are able to connect to other students and the college through activities that are of interest to them while gaining valuable leadership experience and learning valuable interpersonal skills. 

Campus Recreation 

Campus Recreation encourages Bridgewater College students, faculty and staff to live a dynamic and active lifestyle by providing opportunities to participate in intramurals, group fitness classes, individual fitness pursuits and a wide variety of engaging programs. A complete listing of programs, information, workout spaces and hours of operation is available on MyBC under Student Life/Campus Recreation. 

Student Clubs and Organizations 

The College has numerous social, cultural, religious and academic clubs and organizations. For a complete listing of clubs and organizations, please see the College's website. 

Campus Engagement and Activity Team 

Campus Engagement and Activity Team (CEAT) is Bridgewater's programming board that plans and implements weekly activities for students. The group provides students with entertaining and community-orientated programs including traditions, athletic events, late night and daytime programs, and off-campus trips. Additionally, CEAT provides a unique experience for their crew members to be part of an influential and impactful community on campus while also developing personally and growing as leaders. For more information about CEAT, please visit the Department of Student Life. 
 
Bridgewater College Student Association 

The Bridgewater College Student Association (BCSA) is built on a foundation of student clubs with similar interests grouped into five committees: Civic Wellness and Service, BC Identities, Academic and Honor, Recreation and Leisure, and Campus Life. A representative from each of the 40 clubs on campus serves on the designated committee, and those committees meet once a month to discuss projects, issues, and other topics as they arise. The BCSA Cabinet consisting of the student chair, student co-chair, and a student representative from each of the five committees meets once a week with the BCSA advisors to discuss issues brought forward during committee meetings or concerns shared directly from members of the student body. During the academic year, the chair and co-chair lead monthly Town Hall meetings. Town Hall meetings include representatives from all 40 clubs and from the 20 other student organizations on campus. These meetings are open to all students. 

Honor Council 

The Honor Council investigates and determines sanctions for violations of the Honor Code, which prohibits cheating, plagiarism and academic-related lying. Honor Council members are appointed by the student body president and serve, barring impeachment or resignation, from the time of their appointment until the end of their college career. Investigators, appointed by the Honor Council chairperson, assist in the investigation of cases but do not determine guilt or innocence. Refer to The Eagle handbook for additional guidelines. 

Student Publications 

Through BC Voice, the student media organization, students write, edit and publish news articles on the BC Voice website, and produce podcasts and other forms of media. 

Music

All are welcome!

All of the music ensembles listed below are open to all registered Bridgewater students regardless of academic major, undergraduate or graduate, though some ensembles require an audition to participate or for placement within the group. If you are interested in participating, please contact the ensemble director to learn the specifics of what you need to do to join. Whether you are a majoring in music, biology, history, business, or athletic training, you are welcome in these ensembles and encouraged to participate and enjoy the enormously rewarding experience of music making.

 

Chorale Ensembles:

Concert Choir: Bridgewater's largest choral ensemble (upwards of 60 members) performs several concerts every year and anchors oratorio performances of major choral works, often accompanied by professional orchestra. Students in Concert Choir sing in a variety of languages and in a full range of styles including masterpieces of the Western classical canon, lively gospel arrangements, and modern works highlighting the latest trends in choral composition. The rehearsal process for this ensemble develops general musicianship and provides training in vocal technique while achieving high standards as a performing group; in this way, Concert Choir balances musical training with a performance-based curriculum. In addition to performances on Bridgewater’s campus, Concert Choir gives outreach community concerts and tours within the United States.

Chorale: The Bridgewater College Chorale is the college’s premier choral ensemble. Open to all students by audition, this 25-member group explores a wide range of repertoire and performs pieces from all historical eras and a variety of cultures. Through Chorale, students aspire to a professional-level rehearsal and performance process. The Chorale's annual performance itinerary includes concerts and festivals on campus including the Founder’s Day celebration and Baccalaureate, appearances in neighboring communities and churches, and tours within the United States and abroad.

Treble Choir:  The Treble Choir is an auditioned ensemble for soprano and alto singers which rehearses and performs challenging works for high voices. Treble Choir performs at Bridgewater and in the surrounding communities every year, premieres new works for SSAA voices, and participates in annual concerts and events. The Treble Choir joins the Bridgewater College Chorale and Concert Choir in the annual Bridgewater Homecoming, Holiday Extravaganza Concert, and Spring Concerts.

 

Instrumental Ensembles:

Symphonic Band: The Symphonic Band is a large ensemble (upwards of 60 members) that programs a diversity of musical styles and historical periods. Participation is open to all students with instrumental experience, but there are auditions for seat placement.  Typical repertoire includes standards of the wind band repertoire, transcriptions, and pieces highlighting the best contemporary band composers. The Symphonic Band has a proud tradition of commissioning and premiering new works. The Symphonic Band has one major concert each semester and also performs at holiday concerts and at Commencement.

Jazz Ensemble: The Music Department’s two auditioned jazz ensembles feature big band instrumentation: trumpets, trombones, saxes, and rhythm section (drum set, auxiliary percussion, piano, guitar, bass). They collaborate with other musicians as well, and it is not unusual to hear flute, clarinet, tuba, or vocalists at their shows. Concert programs include traditional big band swing, progressive jazz, and contemporary arrangements of pop music. Students have ample opportunities to solo and to hone their improvisation skills. In addition to their own concerts each semester, the Jazz Ensemble tours regionally.

Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band: The Screamin' Eagles Marching Band is an inclusive ensemble known for its outstanding sound and school spirit. As ambassadors for Bridgewater College, the band performs at all home football games and occasionally travels to provide students with unique performance opportunities. Participation is open to all students with previous experience playing instruments used in marching band. Auditions could be required for the Drumline, Front Ensemble, and Color Guard depending on instrumentation and/or ensemble needs. 

Screamin’ Eagles Pep Band: Screamin’ Eagles fun does not stop at the end of football season! The energetic  Screamin’ Eagles Pep Band provides spirited performances in the stands at home games for both the women’s and men’s basketball teams. Participation is open to all students with previous experience playing instruments used in pep band.

Chamber Strings: The Chamber Strings ensemble is a string orchestra that performs classical repertoire as well as arrangements of popular music. On occasion, the ensemble joins forces with other orchestral instruments to explore traditional orchestral music. This group is an excellent opportunity for violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists to keep up their hard-won string-playing skills in a fun ensemble setting.

Chamber Ensembles: Chamber ensembles are small groups of instrumentalists that meet weekly with a coach. They perform in the music department’s Chamber Music Concert every semester, and they are featured in the annual holiday concert. Chamber ensembles are frequently invited to perform at other functions on and off campus, and sometimes participate in music major recitals. Groups are organized based on the availability of interested student musicians and faculty. The music department regularly offers the following opportunities:

• Brass Quintet
• Clarinet Choir
• Flute Choir
• Guitar Ensemble
• Handbell Choir
• Jazz Combo
• Percussion Ensemble
• Sax Choir
• Trumpet Ensemble
• Tuba Quartet

Applied lessons for credit are available in piano, organ, voice, guitar, woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments. Students have a weekly lesson one-on-one with the applied teacher throughout the semester. Note that there is fee when registering for applied lessons.

For more details, contact Dr. Christine Carrillo, chair of the music department.

Theatre

Theatre at Bridgewater College produces two major works each year. These productions are chosen to enhance the academic experience of direct course work, as well as to respond to and reflect upon social, cultural and political issues. Theatrical production develops student talent while offering the College community the opportunity to experience a wide array of theatre genres. Additionally, theatrical production suggests to students the opportunities offered in the field of theatre.

The student-run theatre organization, the Pinion Players, provides students with co-curricular opportunities to participate in all aspects of theatrical production, from directing and acting to designing and playwriting. Activities vary yearly, are driven by student interest, and may include full length plays, touring children's theatre productions, staged readings of student written work, and a student directed one-act festival.