Ready to pull at the heart strings of your audience members? By joining one of our two orchestras, you can do just that. Let your music capture the attention of many, enhance the voices of the choir and take your UW-Eau Claire musical experience to a whole new level. Even if you aren't a music major, our orchestras are ready to welcome you with open arms.

University Symphony Orchestra

Nobuyoshi Yasuda, Conductor

The University Symphony Orchestra is a select ensemble of 70 - 80 musicians consisting of both music major/minor and non-music major students. The orchestra's activities include performing a concert every spring and fall semester, and the annual Holiday Concert and Viennese Ball. The orchestra also performs full-staged operas and musicals for UWEC theatre, most recently outstanding performances of the opera, 'Marriage of Figaro' by W. A. Mozart and the musical, 'Sweeney Todd' by Stephen Sondheim. The orchestra performs extensive symphonic repertoire such as symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Tchaikovsky, and Mahler, and works by Debussy, Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, and Wagner.

University Baroque Orchestra

Dr. Tulio Rondon, Director

The University Baroque Orchestra performs one concert per year without a conductor. The ensemble concentrates on music from the baroque and classical periods in a stylistic fashion called, "historically informed performance practice". Each project enhances the technical ability of string playing, as well as a better understanding of a wide range of repertoire from the aforementioned periods in music. Students will gain a great deal of knowledge about baroque and classical composers and their styles, as well as the music rhetoric in each European country during these important developmental periods in classical music. Finally, students will learn how to effectively manage their bow technique. Occasionally projects will include collaborations with wind, percussion, and brass instruments, as well as featuring guest artists, student and faculty soloists. Play with gusto as you enjoy the independence and freedom.

Auditions

We are always looking for more talented violinists, violists, cellists and bassists for our orchestras. Every year we hold auditions and regardless of where your academic interests lie, we want to make sure you can still express yourself creatively. If you're interested in auditioning, don't wait! Contact Professor Nobuyoshi Yasuda for more information.

Eileen Phillips Cohen String Scholarship

All four members of the Eileen Phillips Cohen String Quartet receive full in-state tuition for the academic year, and there is the potential for the scholarship to cover a full four-year degree. Financial need is not a consideration. The Quartet is coached regularly by UW-EC string faculty, is featured at major departmental and university events, and provides regular recitals. The recipients of the scholarships are also expected to be leaders of the University Symphony Orchestra. The generosity of the L.E. Phillips Family Foundation has created an opportunity for music students through this scholarship rarely seen at the undergraduate level. Scroll down this page to watch the video of Cohen scholars talking about this exciting opportunity!

Important Dates for Cohen Scholarship 2023-24 Placement
Priority will be given to submissions received by 11:59 pm on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Procedure and Application

Check this page for details on auditions for the Cohen Scholarship.
Students need to apply to UW-Eau Claire prior to applying to the Cohen Scholarship.
Once you have applied, go to the Gold for Blugolds site and look for "Music and Theatre Arts Eileen Cohen String Quartet Scholarship" application. 

Orchestra news