Orchestras
Symphony Orchestra
String students perform in the Nazareth University Symphony Orchestra, 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 80-member ensemble is open to all music majors and offers a minimum of two concerts each semester.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Raul Munguia, director
Concerto & Aria Competition
The symphony orchestra often has a role in accompanying the Nazareth University choirs as well. All music majors are eligible to compete in the NUSO Concerto & Aria Competition each year. Three winners are chosen to perform in the annual ‘Rising Stars’ Concert in Beston Hall. One advanced orchestral conducting student conducts one piece on each concert.
All orchestral performances are in Beston Hall, GMPC. All concerts are free and open to the public.
International Performances
Nazareth's Chamber Orchestra traveled to Poland in 2017 and performed several concerts, including at the University of Rzeszów.
Previous tours included Nassau, Bahamas, where they collaborated with the Choir of the Bahamas in Nassau, in 2014 and 2011. Other opportunities for musical collaboration in Dominican Republic and China are being explored.
Areas of Study
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's Symphonies 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.
Chamber Players
Students are selected each semester to form chamber groups to enhance their musical performance and musicianship skills. These groups come under the course heading of Nazareth University Chamber Players and are required to rehearse weekly in addition to weekly coaching by faculty.
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, university ensemble performances and at various venues throughout the community.
