Symphony Orchestra

Each semester Nazareth College string students perform in the Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra (NCSO), performing traditional and contemporary professional orchestral works and concerti. Student composer’s works are often read at the end of each semester and advanced works are chosen to be featured in concert.  The symphony orchestra often has a role in accompanying the Nazareth College choirs as well.

The 80-member ensemble offers a minimum of two concerts each semester.  All music majors are eligible to compete in the NCSO Concerto & Aria Competition each year.  Three winners are chosen to perform in the annual ‘Rising Stars’ Concert in Linehan Chapel in March.  The ‘Donors Concert’ follows in April where ‘all bets are off’ as the faculty and students are featured in serious, fun, pops and sometimes some very unexpected forms of music making.    One advanced orchestral conducting student conducts one piece on each concert.

All orchestral performances are in Linehan Chapel in the Golisano Academic Center. All concerts are free and open to the public.

2011-2012 Season

The Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra opens the 2011-2012 season  with ‘Side by Side’.  A concert that features the Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra and the Nazareth College Concert Band on September 30th.  Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man announces the opening of this concert season with an eclectic mix to follow with pieces by Mascagni, Bach, Beethoven and and an encore by our cello section.

The symphony strings accompany the combined Mens and Womens Choirs in Vivaldi’s Gloria in October followed by a NCSO in November featuring trombone professor Jeannie Little in a bluesy, jazzy Ballade by Bozza.   Night on Bald Mountain (Mussorgsky) and the Overture to Candide by Bernstein are among the featured popular classics.  The Chamber Orchestra makes an appearance performing Bloch’s Concerto Grosso for Strings and Piano Obligato.

The Annual ‘Rising Stars’ concert in March features winners of the Concerto & Aria competition.  Wagner’s Die Meistersinger offers a powerful opening to this annual concert and the event is rounded out by Rossini’s famous William Tell Overture.

The ‘Donors Concert’ follows in April and all bets are off as we feature faculty and students in serious, fun and sometimes very unexpected forms of music making.

Rehearsal Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
For more information please contact:
Nancy Strelau, director
585-389-2691
nstrela1@naz.edu

Chamber Orchestra

The Nazareth College Chamber Orchestra (NCCO) makes their appearance during both symphony orchestra concerts as well an entire concert of chamber orchestra literature at the end of the semester.  String student soloists are the ‘centerpiece’ of each semester’s concert. NCCO traveled to Nassau, Bahamas, collaborating with the Choir of the Bahamas in Nassau, in 2004 and 2011.  Other opportunities for musical collaboration in Poland, Dominican Republic and China are being explored.

Rehearsal emphasis is on performance techniques, ensemble playing skills and a variety of stylistic skills pertinent to string playing.  Literature has included standard string orchestra repertoire ranging from Brandenburg Concerti to Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite to Beethoven Symphony’s No. 1 & 8 have featured recently.   Literature that has been recently performed and may not be as well known ranges from Ive’s Unanswered Question to Gorecki’s Symphony No. 3 to Klein’s Two Portrait’s for Strings and Trumpet.

Music Education string students conduct the chamber orchestra during their spring semester lab of the Orchestral Conducting and Literature course.

Each semester students are selected to form chamber groups to enhance their musical performance and musicianship skills.  These groups come under the course heading of Nazareth College Chamber Players and are required to rehearse weekly in addition to their weekly coaching by faculty.

Rehearsal Times: Fridays, 1:30 - 3:20 p.m.
For more information please contact:
Nancy Strelau, director
585-389-2691
nstrela1@naz.edu

Chamber Ensemble

Through the variety of small ensembles offered, trios and quartets are formed at the beginning of each semester. Literature is determined by each chamber music coach with input from ensemble members. Chamber groups perform each semester in string recitals, college ensemble performances and at various venues throughout the community.
The Chamber Music Program is coordinated by David Hult.

For more information please contact:
David Hult, director
585-389-2700
dhult6@naz.edu