Orchestras

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 / <strong>FREE</strong>

Spring 2024 Student Recitals / FREE

January 16, 2024 - May 6, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Please join us in celebrating the recital performances of our CSU music students. Student Recitals are FREE and open to the public. Note: Dates, times, and locations are subject to change, please check back to confirm performance details. Friday, February 16, 2024: 5 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, James Scott, Bassoon Friday, March 1, 2024: 5 [...]

Music Research Colloquium Series: Dr. Elain Hill – Acting as Prayer

April 19, 2024 at 12:00 PM

Music Research Colloquium Series presents the final lecture of the school year. Dr. Joel Bacon, CSU's chair of Organ and Liturgical Studies, has invited Dr. Elaine Hild to present her lecture Acting as Prayer: The Pilgrim Play from Medieval Fleury, France. Students from Dr. Bacon's MU 496E class on Medieval Liturgical Drama will sing excerpts from [...]

Wind Symphony Concert: <em>Garden of Dreams</em>

Wind Symphony Concert: Garden of Dreams

April 19, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Garden of Dreams For its final concert of the season, the CSU Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Jayme Taylor, sets forth on an epic exploration of music and visual media with a presentation of Julie Giroux’s Symphony No. 6 “The Blue Marble,” and David Maslanka’s A Child’s Garden of Dreams. Immerse yourself in a unique [...]

2024 Clarinet Composers Festival: Mangani Mania!

April 20, 2024 at 8:30 AM

Mangani Mania! A celebration of the clarinet compositions of living composers, this year’s event features the many works of Italian guest artist, Michele Mangani who will be a major part of the celebration. Highlights of the festival include Mangani’s talk on his compositional process and the pieces being performed on the festival concerts. Middle/high school [...]

2024 CSU Marching Band Spring Game Extravaganza

April 20, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Join the CSU Marching Band on Saturday, April 20, 2024 and experience what it’s like to perform with the band during the Green and Gold Football Scrimmage! This event is open to high school juniors, seniors, transfer students, associate degree graduates, and current CSU students who want to see what it's like to be in the CSU Marching Band. Official schedule to be announced. To register for the 2024 CSU Marching Band Spring Game Extravaganza, click here.

Fall 2024 CSU Color Guard Live Auditions

April 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM

This event is an in-person live audition for anyone interested in joining the Fall 2024 CSU Color Guard. The day will begin with registration, continue with instructional/review time, and finish with the live auditions. Interested individuals who cannot make the live auditions can submit videos instead. All video auditions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 19. There is no fee to audition. For details about the CSU Color Guard and to register for auditions, click here.

Saxophone Studio Recital / FREE

April 21, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Students of saxophone professors Peter Sommer and Dr. Dan Goble present a recital of solo and chamber works for saxophone, including classic and contemporary literature featuring a dynamic range of expression and musical interplay.

<em>Virtuoso Series Concert:</em> Faculty Chamber Music

Virtuoso Series Concert: Faculty Chamber Music

April 22, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Join the CSU Music Faculty for a concert featuring the works of Johannes Brahms, Henri Dutilleux, Melanie Bonis, and Valerie Coleman. The concert includes CSU faculty artists Ron Francois, violin; Margaret Miller, viola; Romina Monsanto, cello; Bryan Wallick, piano; Ysmael Reyes, flute; Cayla Bellamy, bassoon; Megan Lanz, flute; Copper Ferreira, clarinet; Jooyeon Chang, piano; Tiffany [...]

Jazz Ensembles Concert: Guest Artist Jon Gordon, Saxophone

April 23, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Guest Artist Jon Gordon, Saxophone The Jazz Ensembles, under the direction of Wil Swindler and Shilo Stroman, present guest saxophonist and composer Jon Gordon, a distinct voice on the alto saxophone. Mr. Gordon has worked with Maria Schneider, Ron McClure, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, T.S. Monk, Tana Reid, Bill Mays, The Vanguard orchestra, [...]

Symphonic Band Concert: <em>Song and Dance Part II</em>

Symphonic Band Concert: Song and Dance Part II

April 25, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Song and Dance Part II The Symphonic Band, with guest conductor Dr. Elizabeth Peterson, continues its exploration of song and dance. This concert features Twist by Jodie Blackshaw, American Hymnsong Suite by Dwayne Millburn, and Conga Del Fuego by Arturo Marquez.

Spring Choir Concert: <em>My Life Flows On in Endless Song</em>

Spring Choir Concert: My Life Flows On in Endless Song

April 26, 2024 at 7:30 PM

My Life Flows On in Endless Song Join the CSU Choral Program for our final performance of 2023-2024 school year! Chamber Choir will perform one of the most popular choral works in the choral repertoire, Vivaldi’s Gloria. They will be collaborating with a chamber orchestra, which will be co-conducted by Dr. James Kim, Director of [...]

CSU Percussion Ensemble Festival Concert

April 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM

With Guest Artist Sandi Rennik Students of the internationally ranked Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Eric Hollenbeck, present the capstone percussion concert of the year, featuring special guest, Sandi Rennick. Ms. Rennick is a percussionist and marimba soloist with extensive performing and teaching experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and throughout the U.S. An original [...]

Fall 2024 CSU Drumline Live Auditions

April 28, 2024 at 9:00 AM

This event is an in-person live audition for anyone interested in joining the Fall 2024 CSU Drumline. The day will begin with registration, continue with instructional/review time, and finish with the live auditions. Interested individuals who cannot make the live auditions can submit videos instead. All video auditions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 26. There is no fee to audition.

For details about the CSU Drumline and to register for auditions, click here.

Double Reed Studio Recital / FREE

April 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Students of the oboe and bassoon studios perform solo, and ensemble works written from the 1600s to present day.

String Chamber Music Concert / FREE

April 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM

The string area invites you to attend the spring concert of undergraduate and graduate students performing works from the extensive chamber music canon. String professors include Ron Francois, violin, Margaret Miller, viola, Romina Monsanto, cello, and Dr. Forest Greenough, double bass.

Concert Band Concert: <em>Musical Memories</em> / FREE

Concert Band Concert: Musical Memories / FREE

April 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Musical Memories The Concert Band, directed by Kevin Poelking with guest graduate conductors, James Mepham and Paul Haarala, perform classic pieces and exciting new works of the wind band repertoire that conjure memories of our favorite people and places.

Graduate String Quartet

April 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Come join the Graduate Quartet for a program of the only string quartet by Maurice Ravel, and the first of Ludwig van Beethoven's late quartets.

Concert Orchestra Concert: <em>Ancient Airs and Echoes</em> / FREE

Concert Orchestra Concert: Ancient Airs and Echoes / FREE

April 30, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Ancient Airs and Echoes With Guest Artist Jenna Moore, Flute The Concert Orchestra's highlights music of late Romantic and Modern composers inspired by melodies of long ago. The orchestra, directed by Dr. Rachel Waddell and joined by wind and brass players from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, perform Ottorino Respighi's Ancient Airs and [...]

Piano Studio Recital / FREE

May 1, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Students from the piano studio of Bryan Wallick perform selected works from their end of year jury programs.

University Symphony Orchestra Concert: <em>Propulsion!</em>

University Symphony Orchestra Concert: Propulsion!

May 2, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Propulsion! With Guest Artist Quinn Harlow, Percussion This captivating and dynamic concert, directed by Dr. Rachel Waddell, is the perfect way to celebrate the end of the school year and dive into summer. From John Adam's Short Ride in a Fast Machine to Arturo Márquez's Danzón No. 2, these modern pieces are tied together by [...]

World Percussion Ensemble Concert

May 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM

The concert features percussion music from around the globe performed on steel pans by the RamPan Band and the GoldPan Band. The Brazilian Ensemble, Afro Cuban Ensemble, Civil Rope Drum Ensemble, Mexican Marimba Band, and our 1930’s George Hamilton Green Xylophone Ragtime Band join the performance. The percussion area is under the direction of Dr. [...]

CSU Marching Band Virtual Q&A: Webinar #2

CSU Marching Band Q&A: Webinar #2

May 8, 2024 at 4:30 PM

We hope you'll join us at our CSU Marching Band Q&A. During the webinar, you will receive an overview of our marching band program, meet marching band faculty and student leadership, find out about the audition process, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Registration required.

2024 Summer Voice Intensive

June 3, 2024 - June 7, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Spend a week honing your craft on the beautiful CSU campus! Auditioned students will perform a solo in our beautiful Recital Hall. Participants will also take voice lessons with CSU faculty, and participate in workshops, masterclasses, and talkbacks, including 'Conquering the College Audition.'

2024 CSU Jazz Summer Workshop

June 5, 2024 - June 7, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Join CSU Jazz Faculty Wil Swindler, Peter Sommer, Dr. Seth Lewis, and Tom Amend for our second annual CSU Jazz Summer Workshop. The workshop will run 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day focusing on small group jazz playing and improvisation. Students will also study Jazz history and listening, Jazz theory, and attend instrument-specific masterclasses. [...]

CSU Marching Band Preseason Camp Virtual Q&A

CSU Marching Band Preseason Virtual Q&A

June 5, 2024 at 4:30 PM

We hope you'll join us at our CSU Marching Band Webinar to talk about Preseason Camp. During the webinar, you will receive an overview of our preseason camp, meet marching band faculty and student leadership, find out more about arriving on campus, and have an opportunity to ask questions.

2024 CSU Percussion Camp

June 6, 2024 - June 7, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Percussion Camp for high school students includes instruction on how to successfully prepare and audition to become a collegiate music major. The workshop focuses on the four primary percussion instruments: Mallets (2 and 4 mallet), Timpani, Snare Drum, and Drum Set as well as insight on applications, scholarships, equipment, and skills in being a college student.

2024 Colorado Harp Seminar

June 9, 2024 - June 15, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Colorado Harp Seminar is a one-week intensive harp program for high school and undergraduate pedal harpists. Directed by faculty member Kathryn Harms at Colorado State University, it is designed to support, nurture, and inspire excellent musicianship. In addition to private lessons, students will participate in harp ensemble, masterclasses, and workshops on various topics such as [...]

2024 Organ Week

June 9, 2024 - June 14, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Organ Week is designed for high school students interested in expanding (or beginning) their organ study. Led by a faculty of prominent concert and church organists, the program features one-to-one instruction, masterclasses, and recitals on the finest pipe organs in northern Colorado, including CSU’s Casavant organ.

2024 CSU Brass Workshop

June 24, 2024 - June 27, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Concert Version: Bye Bye Birdie

July 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM

The CSU Summer Conducting Seminar continues its fun tradition of presenting a delightful concert version of a popular operetta or Broadway musical. The project serves as the master’s thesis for working music educators from around the world who participate in the seminar for three consecutive summers. Bye Bye Birdie music by Charles Strouse and lyrics [...]

2024 International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A.

August 3, 2024 - August 10, 2024 at 12:00 AM

The International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A., is a weeklong summer piano competition and festival featuring over a dozen guest artists and pianists in daily masterclasses and presentations, matinee concerts, the live Semifinal and Final Rounds of the Olympic-styled Odyssiad® competition, and riveting evening and matinee concerts by internationally renowned pianists, including Van Cliburn winners. Taking place at the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the International Keyboard Odyssiad® and Festival (IKOF) is designed for pianists of all ages and nationalities, teachers, and the general public who love the piano and its repertoire.

CSU Band Day

September 7, 2024 at 12:00 AM

This fall, the Colorado State Marching Band will be hosting the second annual CSU Band Day in conjunction with CSU Athletics. Join us at the CSU vs Northern Colorado game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, for this special event!

CSU Alumni Band at 2024 Homecoming and Family Weekend

October 26, 2024 at 12:00 AM

Join the CSU Alumni Band at the 2024 Homecoming and Family Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

2024 CSU Honor Band Festival

December 5, 2024 - December 7, 2024 at 12:00 AM

The annual CSU Honor Band Festival brings together the finest high school musicians in the Rocky Mountain Region, selected from hundreds of applicants throughout the western region; the three-day festival takes place at the University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Guest clinicians and conductors enhance the student’s experience, providing invaluable insight and expertise. In addition to rehearsals, students enjoy several concerts given by CSU faculty and student ensembles. The experience is capped off with a performance by the Honor Wind Symphony and the Festival Concert Band in the beautiful, world-class Griffin Concert Hall.

News

Announcing Dr. Rachel Waddell as the new director of orchestras at CSU

By Jennifer Clary | Jun 6, 2023 | Comments Off

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 […]

Orchestra Alumni invited to play with the CSU symphony to celebrate Maestro Kenney’s retirement

By Jennifer Clary | Sep 6, 2022 | Comments Off

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 […]

Maestro Wes Kenney named a 2022 Colorado State University Distinguished Professor

By School of Music, Theatre, and Dance | Apr 4, 2022 | Comments Off

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

Concert Orchestra (MU 206)

The Concert Orchestra is open to all CSU strings students who wish to continue participating in music after high school and 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 string orchestra repertoire. Concert Orchestra also provides additional conducting and operations experience for students.

No audition required: register and come to class
Rehearses: M/W, 1-2:30 p.m., UCA Room 202
Director: Rachel Waddell