Camerata Chamber Orchestra

Photo of a student playing a string instrument
Director
George Nicholson
Course Number
MUEN 386
Rehearsal Day/Time
Tu, 7:00-9:00 PM
Rehearsal Location
Spartan Rehearsal Hall
Participation Information

Requires audition. 

About

Camerata Chamber Orchestra is open to all CWRU students, faculty, and community members by audition who play string instruments and desire to perform in a flexible but very high-quality string instrumental music setting. The group rehearses once per week and performs once or twice per semester in venues on campus.

The repertoire performed in this ensemble is drawn from a variety of genres that include pieces from the baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary periods. Some of the pieces are conducted and others are rehearsed collaboratively by the group with coaching from the director. The group collectively decides the program and many pieces use soloists from within the group. Additionally, there are opportunities to collaborate with other ensembles in the department, including Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensembles.

Director: Dr. George Nicholson

Course Documents and Schedule

The course syllabus provides all of the information about the ensemble including class meetings, performances, preliminary repertoire, class policies, and more. The syllabus for the 2024/25 academic year, along with a schedule of rehearsal and performance dates, will be provided to ensemble members.

Fall 2024 

Date

Purpose

AUGUST

Non-music majors who play strings may choose their audition time.

New/returning music majors will receive their assigned audition times held on MON, AUG 26 (audition times will be posted on or before AUG 12).

THU, AUG 22 Discover Week: Ensembles Overview in Harkness Chapel at 3:00 PM
MON, AUG 26 Fall Classes Begin; Auditions for music majors 
TUES, AUG 27 Auditions for non-majors
WED AUG 28 Auditions for non-majors
THU, AUG 29 Auditions for non-majors
TUES, SEP 3 Rehearsals Begin in Spartan Rehearsal Hall at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FRI, SEP 6 Drop/Add Period Ends (registration closes)

Spring 2024

Date

Purpose

MON, JAN 13 Spring Classes Begin; Auditions for new members
TUE, JAN 14 Rehearsals Begin in Spartan Rehearsal Hall at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FRI, JAN 24 Drop/Add Period Ends (registration closes)

Participation and Placement

Auditions

  • Auditions are required once per year and take place in-person during the first week of classes.
  • A fall semester audition also counts as an audition for the spring semester.
  • New members can audition the first week of the spring semester.
  • All woodwind/brass/percussion players should follow the audition guidelines on the Symphonic Winds website.
  • All string players (non-music majors) should choose an audition time USING THIS LINK.

I am a woodwind/brass/percussion player.

I am a string player (non-music major).

Audition Requirements

  • Scales: Major and Harmonic Minor Scales (2-3 octaves)
  • Prepared piece: Etude or solo piece that displays level of performance (not to exceed 3-minutes) 
  • String players only: Orchestral excerpts provided below

Audition Materials 

Registration

Enrollment permissions are granted in the Student Information System (SIS) following a successful audition or during the first week of class. Once course permissions have been granted, students should return to their SIS account to register in the appropriate MUEN course(s). The Drop/Add Period ends on the 2nd Friday of each semester.