Orchestras at BYU

The orchestral program at BYU is one of the most extensive programs at any University in the Intermountain West, with over 350 students playing in five orchestras. The sonic brilliance and technical refinement of the top orchestras place them among the most respected academic ensembles in the United States. Consisting of the Philharmonic , Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, University Orchestra, and University Strings, each orchestra has a unique function within the School of Music.

Philharmonic Orchestra

The premier orchestra in the School of Music is made up almost entirely of music majors, both undergraduate and graduate students. Their mission is to perform the greatest masterpieces of the symphonic literature. This 98 member ensemble performs from 10 to 14 concerts each year, and tours regionally every other year, when the Chamber Orchestra is not touring. In addition to it's concerts locally and regionally, the orchestra is featured in regular broadcasts on BYU-TV (BYU's cable channel), and KBYU-TV and KBYU-FM, enabling audiences worldwide to enjoy the orchestra's performances.

Past tours have taken the orchestra to Arizona, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, and British Columbia.

BYU Philharmonic Recordings
Preview for Musical Easter Celebration, April 4, 2007

Chamber Orchestra

This orchestra is made up of the finest musicians in the Philharmonic, chosen through audition, to comprise this elite ensemble in its special mission. The orchestra represents BYU and the School of Music through international and national tours every other year. Comprising approximately 47 musicians, the orchestra has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, and China, and is certainly one of the most widely-traveled university orchestras in the nation. The BYU Chamber Orchestra has earned the "Highest Recommendation" rating by the National Endowment of the Arts.

This coming spring the orchestra will embark on a month-long tour through nine countries in Europe, beginning in Copenhagen, Denmark, and ending in Athens, Greece. Recent tours included the Great Lakes and Midwest U.S. in 2002, and Russia in 2000, performing in five cities—Saratov, Rostov, Samara, Volgograd, and Moscow, for more than 3,000 people. In 1998 he orchestra was invited to perform for audiences in eastern Europe, including the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Ukraine, and several cities in Poland.

Symphony Orchestra

The symphony is the preparatory orchestra in the School of Music, and is conducted by Professor Eric Hansen. Playing approximately two concerts each semester devoted to the symphonic literature, the 85 member Symphony also shares the responsibilities of collaborating with the ensemble concerts presented in the School, as well as performing regularly with musical theater productions. With concert repertoire chosen from every period, an emphasis is given on the classical period which provides the foundation of all symphonic playing.

University Orchestra

Open to anyone enrolled in the University, this popular orchestra fills a great role in providing a continued orchestral experience for those students who have chosen degrees other than music, but who yearn to keep their love of music alive. The consistent popularity of this orchestra attests to the fun to be had in playing with friends and fellow student musicians in a more relaxed evening environment. The concert schedule, of one concert per semester, is geared toward the class schedules of the non–music major. This class is held on Tuesday evenings from 7-9 P.M.

University Strings

A large string orchestra of around 60 musicians, the University String orchestra provides any university string player the opportunity to enjoy the rich variety of music written for a string orchestra. Repertoire from all periods, with a slight emphasis on Baroque concerto grossi, is prepared in this evening class, with one concert per semester. This orchestra meets on Thursday evenings from 7-9 P.M.

Conductors

Kory Katseanes is the Director of Orchestras in the School of Music, and conducts the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras.

Eric Hansen conducts the Symphony.

Graduate students majoring in Instrumental Orchestral Conducting conduct the University Orchestra and University Strings.

Auditions

Auditions for the orchestras, and all audition ensembles in the School of Music, are administered by the private studios teachers for each instrument. In other words, trumpet players audition for the trumpet teacher, Professor David Brown, clarinets for the clarinet teacher, Professor Jaren Hinckley, etc. All the studio instructors have sign-up sheets on their doors, and the auditions are the first day or two of classes. If you need help finding the right studio for your instrument, check with the secretaries in C-550. After the auditions are complete, ensemble placement will be posted in order for rehearsals to begin the second week of school. The only exceptions to this procedure are the University Orchestra, and the University String Orchestra which are non-audition ensembles. Just come to class the first evening of class and you are in.