The large ensembles at Boston University play a central role in the education of the School’s instrumentalists who aspire to professions as chamber musicians, ensemble musicians, teachers, or a combination of all three.
If you have any questions about music-major large ensembles at Boston University, email Ensembles Manager, Katharine Hurd.
Large Ensembles
Symphony and Chamber Orchestra
The Boston University School of Music orchestral program, which includes the Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra, plays a central role in the education of the School’s instrumentalists who aspire to professions as chamber musicians, orchestral musicians, teachers, or a combination of all three.
Professor Sarah Ioannides, Director of Orchestral Activities, oversees artistic and educational planning for the entire program and conducts the majority of the Symphony Orchestra performances, including their annual concert at Boston’s Symphony Hall.
The orchestras also work with other BU faculty, distinguished guest conductors, and members of the graduate conducting program. Professor William Lumpkin, Director of the BU Opera Institute, directs the school’s two annual mainstage opera productions. The orchestras collaborate with the choral department, perform concerto repertoire with student competition winners, and take part in composition reading sessions. All orchestral students are assigned to projects on a per-cycle basis, regularly rotating between the Symphony and Chamber orchestras, operas, and other projects.
Advanced non-music majors (including music minors) may audition for this group under these criteria:
- They must be registered for CFA ML Applied lessons or CFA MP Non-Major lessons for School of Music credit
- Both the applied teacher and conductor of the ensemble must approve of that student’s audition
- School of Music Performance Majors and Music Education Majors shall have first priority for ensemble placement
If interested, please contact the Ensembles Manager, Katharine Hurd.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premiere music major band in the School of Music. Under the baton of Professor Kenneth Amis, the Wind Ensemble is designed to prepare wind, brass, and percussion players for the professional careers in ensemble performance. It also provides future music educators with institute standard teaching concepts and methods related to the study of band repertoire and performance. Prof. Amis demonstrates standard rehearsal techniques and requires an outstanding level of performance.
Membership in the Wind Ensemble is determined by auditions held in conjunction with the School of Music in September. Extremely talented non-music majors (including music minors) who have already spent at least one year at Boston University in a non-major ensemble may audition for this group. If interested, please contact the Ensembles Manager, Katharine Hurd.
Don’t see the ensemble you are looking for? Are you a non-major?
You can find information about the Jazz Ensembles, Athletic Bands, and non-major concert ensembles on the BU Bands website.
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Ensembles at BU
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