Requires audition.
About
Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra is open to all CWRU students, faculty, and community members by audition who play wind, brass, percussion or string instruments and desire to perform in an advanced ensemble. The ensemble rehearses twice per week and performs 2-3 concerts each semester.
Repertoire is drawn from standard orchestral literature comprised of symphonies, overtures, suites, etc., as well as other more contemporary genres such a rock and jazz. Additionally, there are opportunities to collaborate with other ensembles in the department, including Camerata Chamber Orchestra and Concert Choir.
Performance in this group requires a full commitment because the repertoire demands individual practice in addition to the regular groups rehearsals; some of the performance responsibilities (i.e. dress rehearsals and concerts) are held outside of the regular class meeting pattern.
Visit our Student Resources page for a list of FAQ and more!
Director: Dr. Kathleen Horvath, Director of Orchestras
Past Repertoire Performed by Symphony Orchestra
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 is here:
MUEN 385, CUCSO Syllabus AY 2024 - 2025
For an abbreviated Rehearsal and Performance Schedule for AY 2024 2025 see this:
MUEN 385, CUCSO Rehearsal & Performance Dates AY 2024 - 2025
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 4 | Rehearsals Begin in Wade Rehearsal Hall at 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
| FRI, SEP 6 | Drop/Add Period Ends (registration closes) |
Spring 2025
|
Date |
Purpose |
|---|---|
| MON, JAN 13 | Spring Classes Begin; Auditions for new members (no orchestra rehearsal) |
| TUE, JAN 15 | Rehearsals Begin in Wade Rehearsal Hall at 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
| FRI, JAN 24 | Drop/Add Period Ends (registration closes) |
Participation and Placement
All wind and percussion players interested in performing with either Symphonic Winds or the Symphony Orchestra should plan to complete a single audition following the guidelines listed on the Symphonic Winds ensemble page. All auditioning musicians are considered for membership in both ensembles. As orchestral literature is traditionally performed with one musician per part, this repertoire requires confident and highly musical players. As such, there are limited wind and percussion slots available. These parts will be given to only the highest level performers based upon their Symphonic Winds audition. In order to give as many wind players the opportunity to perform in the Symphony Orchestra as possible as well as maintain musical excellence across our primary ensembles, students will rotate between Symphonic Winds (which rehearses at the same time) and Symphony Orchestra by semester. These ensemble assignments will be made by the end of the audition period and before the end of the Drop/Add Period. Under certain circumstances, some students will be assigned to play with both ensembles during a semester, however great care will be given to the their rehearsal schedules to be respectful of their time. If a student is assigned to both ensembles within a semester, detailed instructions will be sent to the student pertaining to rehearsal schedule and course registration by both ensemble directors.
Similarly, the string section is also very competitive and in order to maintain the highest quality performance for this kind of orchestral literature, the string section must be balanced so as to maintain section clarity. As a result, most first-year students will be assigned to the Case Camerata Chamber Orchestra (MUEN 386) until slots are available in the Symphony Orchestra.
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
- VIOLIN Audition Materials AY 2024 - 2025
- VIOLA Audition Materials AY 2024 - 2025
- CELLO Audition Materials AY 2024 - 2025
- DOUBLE BASS Audition Materials AY 2024 - 2025
- HARP Audition Materials AY 2024 - 2025
- WINDS & PERCUSSION Audition Information AY 2024 - 2025
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.
| Director: Kathleen Horvath |
|
MUEN 385-100: Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra MUEN 385-101: Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra |