String Orchestra

The SLU String Orchestra consists of violins, violas, cellos and basses made up of university students, faculty and staff, and also includes several local community adult and student musicians. An informal audition is required for elegibility, and violinists are rotated in sections as needed by the semester. The main focus of the String Orchestra is to perform a diverse assortment of repertoire featuring different musical styles including classical, baroque, traditional/folk, contemporary and popular music, using the various techniques required to play them, and to involve itself further in the community by having several performances, both on and off campus. Generally the fall semester is devoted to more standard repertoire, while the spring semester focuses on lighter, more popular works. Some concerts also feature additions to the orchestra, such as woodwinds, brass and percussion.  A serious approach and a dedicated attitude from its members has given the SLUSO its reputation for excellence, as can be seen by several performance clips on YouTube.

Previous program titles have included Viva Vivaldi, Music from the 20th Century and Beyond, Mostly Mozart, A Celtic Journey, Music from the Old World to the New World, A Tribute to John Williams, Solo, and Best of the Classics. This semester the SLUSO will prepare A Night on Broadway featuring music from various well-known musicals, with classics such as Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, to more contemporary selections from Chess, Mamma Mia, Rent, Wicked and others. The orchestra is pleased to feature vocalist Alexandra Jacobs, as well as additional vocalists.

Rehearsals: Wednesday, 7-9 pm in Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall

Concert dates: Sunday, April 29 at 2:00 pm in Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall. Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Russell Opera House, Russell, NY

Auditions: Wednesday, January 25, 7 - 8pm, Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall

Audition requirements: One or two prepared solo works (of any type), scales (two octaves), and sight-reading.

For more information, contact Christian Hosmer, director.