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

Epic University Symphony Orchestra Concert

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University Symphony Orchestra performance photo

The University Symphony Orchestra will fill the stage a final time for the 2016-2017 academic year, showcasing works old and new. This two-night run takes place on Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Griffin Concert Hall, located within the University Center for the Arts. The concert will be one […]

2017 Concerto Competition Review

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Frangel Lopez Cesena pictured playing the violin

By McKenna Shuler, SMTD Publicity Intern The 2017 Concerto Competition, held in Feb., featured riveting music performed by three CSU Music student finalists – Joe Jones, Julius Hochmuth, and Frangel López Ceseña – and the CSU Sinfonia, conducted by Wes Kenney. Each performance was incredibly well-executed, but in the end it was Frangel who was […]

March 2017 Faculty Notes

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Denver Young Artist Orchestra pictured conducted by Wes Kenney

Wes Kenney, director of orchestras at CSU, had a rewarding start to 2017! It was announced by the Fort Collins Symphony Association’s board president Rhett B. Strom that Maestro Kenney signed a five-year contract extension as music director of the 67-year-old organization. Now in his fourteenth year with the symphony, the award-winning conductor will continue […]

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