Orchestra at WCU

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
ORCHESTRA PROGRAM

Welcome to the orchestras of West Chester University! We constantly offer new kinds of performances and events, and invite you to experience them with us. If you are a student, come be a part of this dynamic venture!

The orchestras are made up of undergraduate and graduate students. We offer lively artistic performances from the full range of repertoire, past and present. Our concert presentations are vivid, both in sound and sight. We engage audiences on serious matters like poverty and war, and also provide light diversions, such as the Concerts on the Quad. Students receive professional musical instruction, along with practical career training through engaging rehearsals, concerts, festivals, masterclasses, and competitions. Our consistent flow of guest international artists, such as David Kim (Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra), Ricardo Morales (Principal Clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra), and Amy Oshiro (violinist with the Philadelphia Orchestra) join in this exciting endeavor.

To further experience us, feel free to visit www.wcuso.org for upcoming concerts and events. Be a part of something new!

EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES

Graduate Studies in Orchestral Conducting

This is a two-year Master’s Degree program offered to especially gifted musicians. These select students receive regular podium time with both orchestras, and also participate in the ensemble growth initiatives, both artistically and administratively. Musicians will graduate having delved deeply into music-making and career development. Students range from aspiring professional conductors to current conductors in education.

Orchestra Festival - February 29, 2020

The first of the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra’s annual Orchestra Festivals will take place on February 29, 2020. This year’s festival is for high school string players (grades 9-12). Our stellar string faculty will be joined by our guest international violinist, Elena Urioste (www.elenaurioste.com/bio).

WCU ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLES

Symphony Orchestra

The WCU Symphony Orchestra presents 5 to 6 concerts each year, performing both on and off campus. The ensemble of 70+ student musicians performs on campus in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre and Asplundh Concert Hall. In the spring we offer our annual Concert on the Quad, an outdoor concert so well received that CBS News spontaneously aired a spot on us during its nighttime news. Each year we also accompany concerto winners from WCU’s Wells School of Music. Off campus concerts have led us to such celebrated venues as Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia. We perform standard symphonic repertoire as well as new compositions, the most recent of which was a world premiere of Symphony No. 1 by alumnus, Joe Harkins. Our collaborations include our faculty and other eminent artists such as Ricardo Morales, Amy Oshiro, and Udi Bar-David and his ensemble, ARTolerance. We are committed to serving the community through civic engagement and with innovative concert presentations that include multi-media, guest artists, and smartphone-friendly features.

Ensemble Director: Joseph Caminiti
Number of Members: 70
Audition Requirements: Auditions for membership and seating take place in August for the Fall semester, and November for the Spring semester. Auditions consist of orchestral excerpts and are played for the conductor and a faculty member.
Number of Concerts: 5-6 per year
Samples of Past Repertoire:
- Beethoven, Symphonies 6 and 7
- Wagner, Overture to Rienzi
- Rachmaninoff, Symphonic Dances
- Stravinsky, Symphony of Psalms
- Rimsky-Korsakov, Symphony No. 2, “Antar”
- Dvorak, Symphony No. 9
- Copland, Four Dances from Rodeo
- Barber, Adagio for Strings
- Turina, La Procession du Rocio
- Smetana, The Moldau
- Hovhaness, And God Created Great Whales
- Haydn, Symphony No. 93
- Verdi, Triumphal March and Ballet from “Aida”
- Strauss, Tod und Verklärung
- Fanny Mendelssohn, Overture in C
- Gabriela Lena Frank, Apu: Tone Poem for Orchestra

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Chamber and Opera Orchestra

The WCU Chamber Orchestra is a vibrant ensemble that attracts an ever-growing audience of all ages. It performs a wide range of repertoire, often collaborating with faculty soloists, and showcasing its own members. Concert presentations are innovative, including performances in the round, audience interaction, and guest annotators. Serving also as the opera orchestra and WCU, it performs full-scale operas such as Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Copland’s The Tender Land. It also joins hands with area organizations to help raise awareness and funds for those in need.

Ensemble Director: Joseph Caminiti
Number of Members: 20-30
Audition Requirements: Auditions for membership and seating take place in August for the Fall semester, and November for the Spring semester. Auditions consist of orchestral excerpts and are played for the conductor and a faculty member.
Number of Concerts: 3-4 per year
Samples of Past Repertoire:
- Britten, Simple Symphony
- Bach, Brandenburg Concerto #3
- Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
- Plau, Concerto for Tuba and Strings
- Grieg, Holberg Suite
- Puccini, Chrysanthemums
- Suk, Serenade for Strings
- Holst, St. Paul Suite
- Maggio, Bright Elegy
- Respighi, Ancient Aires and Dances
- Finzi, Romance in E-Flat
- Telemann, Concerto for 3 Trumpets and strings
- Mozart, Die Zauberflöte

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Wells School of Music