Overview
NOTE: We are happy to announce the return of our annual Concerto Competition. Click here for deatails.
The University of Rochester Chamber Orchestra's (URCO) 40 student musicians present four free concerts each year in the University of Rochester's Henry Alvah Strong Auditorium on the River Campus. Led by Dr. Rachel Waddell, the orchestra also performs in satellite locations throughout the Rochester community and tours both in the United States and internationally.
During the spring of 1996, the all-student orchestra toured the island of Jamaica, performing and working with the Jamaica Orchestra for Youth and the Alpha Boys Band as well as giving a gala performance in Kingston's Ward Theatre. During July of 1997, the Chamber Orchestra toured the island of Grand Cayman, B.W.I. In Georgetown, they performed concerts and served as the core orchestra and teaching mentors for the first International Festival for Music Education. One of the performances from the festival was broadcast by Cayman Television. The Orchestra returned to Grand Cayman again in the summer of 1998. In May 1999, the Orchestra toured Italy. Pictures from the Chamber Orchestra's return trip to Grand Cayman in June 2000 are on the website. URCO toured in Montreal, Canada in May 2002, Cleveland, Ohio in May 2004, and Buffalo in 2006. In the winter of 2008, URCO traveled to Santiago, Chile to collaborate with youth orchestras in South America.
Performing music from the Baroque to the contemporary, the Chamber Orchestra showcases the versatility of the University's students. Membership is open to qualified University of Rochester students.
Rehearsals are held Mondays from 4:50 to 6 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 4:50-7 p.m. in Strong Auditorium.
Auditioning for Orchestras
Please note that while auditions will take place virtually, both URCO and URSO plan to rehearse fully in-person this academic year.
Auditions for the 2022-23 school year will take place virtually on Monday, August 29 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm EST and Tuesday, August 30 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm EST.
You will schedule an appointment online through our system and receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. Each audition is 10 minutes long. Please double-check your set-up and microphone prior to your audition.
Due to overwhelming interest and retention in the orchestra program, there are very limited spots for the 2022-23 school year. Select all auditions that you wish to take from our drop-down list. “Wait list” auditions mean that we do not currently have an available opening in either orchestra. Audition to be placed on our “wait list” so that you are notified if an opening becomes available for the 2022-23 school year.
URCO is accepting auditions for the following instruments:
We are accepting auditions for the following instruments:
URCO:
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet – Waitlist Only
- Bassoon
- Horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Tuba
- Percussion
- Piano
- Harp
- Concertmaster (Principal Violin 1)
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Principal Bass
- Bass
You may audition in your dorm room (or other location) or arrange for a practice room by contacting Jimmy Warlick or clicking here.
Audition Requirements:
- An Introductory Video (See Requirements Below)
- A 3-4 Minute Solo of Your Choice
- Be Prepared to Play One of the Following Scales in as Many Octaves as you Comfortably Can (Music Director’s Choice): CM, GM, DM, AM, EM, BM, FM, BbM, EbM, AbM, and the following minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic) in 2-3 octaves: a minor, e minor, b minor, f# minor, d minor, g minor, and c minor. This is just to judge student familiarity with music theory and reading, please do your best. If you’re not familiar with all of these scales, you are still encouraged to audition to determine if our orchestras are a good fit for you.
Introductory Video Requirement:
At the University of Rochester Orchestras, we're interested in getting to know our members as whole people (not just as musicians). As part of your audition, you are required to submit a 30 second to a minute video introducing yourself. Upload your video to YouTube, with the privacy setting as "unlisted" (information for uploading to YouTube and privacy settings ["unlisted"] is on YouTube and the web). Copy & paste the video's URL into the required field on the online audition form.
- You can film the video on your phone OR edit it as you wish. It should reflect your personality as much as possible (from where you film it, to the clothes you choose to wear, included background music, photos, etc.)
- Make sure to clearly state your name as part of your video.
- You should include any information that you feel is important for us to know - such as your identifying pronouns, hometown/country, etc.
- Answer the questions: What does orchestra mean to you? Why are you interested in becoming a member of the University of Rochester Orchestras? What do you feel you would bring to our orchestras beyond your musicianship?
- Make sure your audio is clear and easy to understand.
- You are required to submit this video when you register for an audition time.
If you are a current University of Rochester Symphony Orchestras member auditioning on a new instrument or for a higher placement in our orchestra, you are also required to upload a video as part of your audition. Upload your video to YouTube, with the privacy setting as "unlisted" (information for uploading to YouTube and privacy settings ["unlisted"] is on YouTube and the web). Copy & paste the video's URL into the required field on the online audition form. - You can film the video on your phone OR edit it as you wish. It should reflect your personality as much as possible (from where you film it, to the clothes you choose to wear, included background music, photos, etc.)
- Make sure to clearly state your name as part of your video.
- You should include any information that you feel is important for us to know - such as your identifying pronouns, hometown/country, etc.
- Answer the question: What position (instrument) are you auditioning for and why? What do you feel you bring or want to bring to our orchestras beyond your musicianship?
- Make sure your audio is clear and easy to understand.
- You are required to submit this video when you register for an audition time.
• Note: In lieu of a video, you may also submit a one-page introductory application letter introducing yourself. However, the video is preferred.
