Spring 2024 Information Sheet
- Overview: The orchestra@uwaterloo is open to all students, staff, and faculty. While auditions are required, the ensemble seeks to involve and engage those who have, first and foremost, a love for classical music and orchestral playing.
- Auditions: Auditions for new players will take place on May 9th. Please sign up on the website: https://uwaterloo.ca/music/orchestrauwaterloo
Here is a link to some orchestral excerpt examples that you may pick from to play at your audition. I suggest two contrasting pieces. There may be some sight reading. - Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings 7:00-9:30 @ Conrad Grebel's Great Hall, starting on May 15 at 7pm. If you are able, please arrive 10 minutes early to set up every week.
- Concert: The Spring 2024 concert will be on Sunday, July 28 at Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo at 7:30pm. You will need to be on stage by 6:30pm. There will be an afternoon dress rehearsal the same day, in the same location. You are expected to wear black concert dress clothes.
- Repertoire for this term:
Mozart symphony no. 35 Haffner 2222 2200 timp strings 18’
Mendelssohn, Hebrides overture 2222 2200 timp string 10’
Cherubini Symphony in D 2222 2200 timp strings 24
Sibelius, Valse Triste 1010 2000 timp strings 6’
Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin fugue 3’ 61
Instrumentation for the term will be:
2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, Timpani, Percussion, Strings
Attendance policy: The nature of an ensemble such as this requires attendance. It is not like a class where if you decide not to come, it affects only yourself. This applies to all members, credit or non-credit. If you absolutely need to miss a rehearsal (severe illness, exam, or family emergency), the director must be notified in advance. Send an email to orchestra@uwaterloo.ca. If you have more than two absences that are not excused, you will not be eligible for a credit. Finally, individual music preparation is crucial. There is an attendance sheet to sign every week.
Practice: If you would like to put in extra practice time, there are three practice rooms down the hall from the Great Hall. They are for the use of Music Students and Ensemble students such as yourselves. You can't book them, but can use them if they are free.
Credit or Payment: if you are an undergraduate UW student, you may take this ensemble for credit and we will waive the fee. You do need to sign up on Quest. It is easier to drop than add past a certain date. Others will need to pay the fee. Angelica Allen will send you a link to pay the fee, once you have been admitted to the orchestra. Let her know if you need an over-ride to get a credit added.
- Placement: The audition process ensures a fair placement for parts and seating allocation.
- Sheet Music: Music will be made available to all players. Some pieces will need to be signed out through the UW Library, and some pieces will be brought to rehearsal for pick-up. The sheet music is expensive and all due care and respect should be taken. Markings should be made only in pencil. Desiree Mau (Violin II) is the librarian.
Looking forward to a wonderful term of music-making.
Daniel Warren
dan@danielwarren.ca