Colorado State University Orchestras are open to music majors and minors, as well as to non-music majors, creating the opportunity to participate in various ensembles and experiences while performing in a well-respected organization.
What a fine concert last night! We loved the Beethoven, of course, but we hadn't heard the Sibelius [Symphony No. 2, Op. 43, D Major] in a long time and were blown away. You have another fine group of players this year and we're looking forward to more. ~ David Lindstrom, patron
Events
Spring 2024 Student Recitals / FREE
Flute Studio Recital / FREE
CSU Marching Band Q&A: Webinar #1
Joel Bacon x Soundtracks
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
Lecture Recital-"Music, then Film: Julie Giroux's Symphony No. 6: The Blue Marble. A Film Composer's Immersive Experience for Wind Band"
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
North American Baroque Trumpet Conference and Competition
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
North American Baroque Trumpet Competition Opening Concert: A Baroque Extravaganza / FREE
North American Baroque Trumpet Conference and Competition
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
North American Baroque Trumpet Competition Awards Ceremony and Closing Concert: Baroque Trumpet Spectacular! / FREE
The Meaning of Democracy: a moderated panel
Keynote conversation with W. Kamau Bell: Race, culture, and democracy
Indigenous Governance Traditions: Native Nationhood, Sovereignty, and Democracy
Trombone Studio Recital / FREE
Alumni Night Out with the CSU Marching Band
Viewing of The Five States of Colorado
Democracy at CSU Panels
Practicing Democracy Open House and Civic Skill Building Workshops
Screening of Join or Die
Lessons and Legacies of the Civil War for American Democracy
Guest Artist Series: Michelle Kesler, Cello, and Scott Holden, Piano
Jazz Combos Concert
Democracy Expo
Living into a deep democracy: practices for reclaiming citizenship
Closing Keynote with Robert Putnam: the Erosion of American Democracy and the Upswing
Brass Area Chamber Music / FREE
CSU Trombone Choir Concert / FREE
Voice Area Recital / FREE
Wind Symphony Concert: Garden of Dreams
2024 Clarinet Composers Festival: Mangani Mania!
2024 CSU Marching Band Spring Game Extravaganza
Fall 2024 CSU Color Guard Live Auditions
Saxophone Studio Recital / FREE
Virtuoso Series Concert: Faculty Chamber Music
Jazz Ensembles Concert: Guest Artist Jon Gordon, Saxophone
Symphonic Band Concert: Song and Dance Part II
Spring Choir Concert: My Life Flows On in Endless Song
CSU Percussion Ensemble Festival Concert
Fall 2024 CSU Drumline Live Auditions
Double Reed Studio Recital / FREE
String Chamber Music Concert / FREE
Concert Band Concert: Musical Memories / FREE
Graduate String Quartet
Concert Orchestra Concert: Ancient Airs and Echoes / FREE
Piano Studio Recital / FREE
University Symphony Orchestra Concert: Propulsion!
World Percussion Ensemble Concert
CSU Marching Band Q&A: Webinar #2
2024 Summer Voice Intensive
2024 CSU Jazz Summer Workshop
CSU Marching Band Preseason Virtual Q&A
2024 CSU Percussion Camp
2024 Colorado Harp Seminar
2024 Organ Week
2024 CSU Brass Workshop
Concert Version: Bye Bye Birdie
2024 International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A.
CSU Band Day
CSU Alumni Band at 2024 Homecoming and Family Weekend
2024 CSU Honor Band Festival
News
The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is thrilled to introduce Dr. Rachel Waddell as the next conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra and director of orchestras at Colorado State University. Dr. Waddell comes to CSU from the University of Rochester where she has served as the director of orchestral activities. She is the co-founder […]
Dear CSU Symphony, Sinfonia and Opera Orchestra alumni, It is my hope that you have continued to use the skills learned through the repertoire and ensemble playing you experienced at CSU. When I began my tenure at CSU’s School of Music, Theater, and Dance twenty years ago, it was my hope that we could build […]
Wes Kenney has been named the first University Distinguished Professor from the CSU School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. University Distinguished Professorships “symbolize the continuing commitment of Colorado State University to the pursuit of excellence” and are bestowed upon “the most outstanding faculty members of Colorado State University for the duration of their association with […]
Ensembles
University Symphony Orchestra
(MU 302)
The 65–90 member University Symphony Orchestra performs repertoire heard on the stages of the world’s great orchestras. It is an introduction and training ground not just for a professional orchestral career but allows music educators to become steeped in the science of how a large ensemble works. Recent performances include Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale” and Symphony No. 9, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, Saint-Saens’ Symphony No. 3 “Organ,” Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5, Barktok’s Concerto for Orchestra, Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. The orchestra plays four concerts a year and collaborates with CSU choral ensembles, CSU dance ensembles, and the department’s concerto competition.
The orchestra rehearses twice a week; membership is by audition only with auditions taking place the weekend before the first week of classes.
- Audition required
- Rehearses: T/TR, 2:30–5 p.m., UCA G 106
- Director: Rachel Waddell
- Repertoire (PDF)
Sinfonia Orchestra (MU 402)
The select chamber orchestra – ranging from 10–40 members – performs music from the Baroque to contemporary while specializing in the Classic period music of Mozart and Haydn. The Sinfonia has performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Britten’s Variation on a Theme of Frank Bridge, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 36 “Linz,” as well as the music of several contemporary composers. The group has performed and provided sessions on ensemble training at the American String Teacher Association annual conference and the Colorado Music Educators Association annual convention; the orchestra has also been on several state tours. Additionally, the ensemble is the Ralph Opera Program orchestra, performing operas such as Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Puccini’s Suor Angelica/Gianni Schicchi, and Britten’s The Turn of the Screw. Collaborations include the department’s concerto competition, dance concerts, and choral concerts. Players auditioning for the University Symphony Orchestra are automatically considered for this premiere orchestra.
- Audition required
- Rehearses: T/TR, 2:30–5 p.m., UCA G 106
- Director: Rachel Waddell
Concert Orchestra (MU 206)
The Concert Orchestra is open to all CSU string students who wish to continue their participation in music after high school and also serves as a working laboratory for students pursuing a Music Education degree. The Concert Orchestra allows Music Education majors the opportunity to perform on a secondary instrument, develop effective rehearsal techniques, and gain knowledge of the standard repertoire appropriate for middle or high school orchestra. In addition, the Concert Orchestra allows students enrolled in the Instrumental Conducting undergraduate class to conduct an ensemble and develop appropriate conducting techniques before their student teaching experience.
- No audition required: register and come to class
- Rehearses: M/W, 1-2:30 p.m., UCA Room 202
- Director: Rachel Waddell