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

News

University Symphony Orchestra Celebrates The 10th Anniversary of the UCA

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University Symphony Orchestra UCA 10th Anniversary concert promotional poster

The School of Music, Theatre and Dance at Colorado State University presents the fall University Symphony Orchestra Concert, conducted by Maestro Wes Kenney. The performance is taking place on Thursday, Sept. 20 and Friday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the University Center for the Arts, located at 1400 Remington Street. CSU faculty artist John […]

University Symphony Orchestra Concert: The Last Dance

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CSU University Symphony Orchestra 2018 The Last Dance promotional poster

With Guest Tiffany Blake, Soprano The University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Wes Kenney, plays two dance inspired works: Edvard Grieg’s Symphonic Dances and Igor Stravinsky’s iconic Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring). In between the two, CSU faculty artist Tiffany Blake performs the beautiful Four Last Songs of Richard Strauss to round out […]

Concerto Competition Recap: Meet This Year’s Winner

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Music notes on a beige background

By Nicole Towne, SMTD Publicity Intern The night of the Concerto Competition finals, Sicong Zhou, an undergraduate music performance major, sits down at the piano positioned at center stage. It is seemingly within an arm’s reach from the first row. The black, glossy grand piano is propped open and reflects the golden glow of the […]

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