Orchestra
The Hardin-Simmons University Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Peter Isaacson presents 4 to 6 concerts per year from the standard repertoire and its membership consists of approximately 50 to 55 music majors in education, business, performance, and non-majors. In addition to these scheduled concerts, the Hardin-Simmons University Orchestra collaborates frequently with the HSU Concert Choir and Chorale, the HSU Opera, and the HSU theater department. Recent collaborative highlights include: the Mozart Requiem, Faure Requiem, Poulenc Gloria, Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutti, Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Titanic and Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore.
Every other year, the HSUO presents the Collegiate Artists Concert featuring performances by the winners of the concerto competition. In the last 5 years, the HSUO has completed tours to Wichita Falls, Forth-Worth, Oklahoma City and an appearance (as the Abilene Collegiate Orchestra) at the 2005 Texas Music Educators Association with the Collegiate Choirs of Abilene comprised of choral ensembles from Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University and Abilene Christian University.
The HSU Orchestra believes strongly in its mission to support American music and has designated full concerts to American composers such as Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Charles Griffes, Charles Ives, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein. The HSU Orchestra has also featured music by Texas composers Bernard Scherr (HSU faculty) and Jefferson Todd Frazier.
As the reputation of the HSU Orchestra has grown so has outside interest in collaboration. In the last 3 years, guest artists have included international guitar soloist, Petar Jankovic, and pianist Avguste Antonov. HSU faculty members have also appeared as soloists with the orchestra including: Jeff Cottrell, Peter Neubert, Charles Coltman, Lynnette Chambers, Jaynne Middleton and Melody Rich. We are very excited about the up-coming concert on Saturday, September 25th 2010 with the rock-band, Kansas. It will be a memorable event that will help to raise money for scholarships for orchestral students at Hardin-Simmons University. On Friday, November 5th 2010, the HSU Orchestra will collaborate with the HSU Concert Choir and Chorale in a performance of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Eurdice for the NATS Convention.
The HSUO has given free performances for the Nelson Street Boys and Girls Club, Disabilities Resources Incorporated and for the City of Abilene Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Members of the Hardin-Simmons University Orchestra are involved in the Abilene Lesson Project (originally sponsored by a grant from the American String Teachers Association) providing private instruction and mentoring to Middle-School and high-school students in Abilene. Members of the Hardin-Simmons University Orchestra receive further teaching experience as coaches and counselors for the Abilene Summer Music Festival which hosts 170 students annually to the campus of Hardin-Simmons University from across Texas and other states such as Oklahoma, California, South Dakota, Kansas and Illinois.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the orchestra, or would like more information, please contact Mr. Peter Isaacson at (325) 670-1421 or email isaacson@hsutx.edu.
HSU Orchestra Concerts and Repertoire 2012-2013
Concert No. 1
Saturday, September 15th, 8:00 p.m., Behrens Auditorium
Michael Martin Murphey with HSU Orchestra
Concert No. 2
Tuesday, December 4th, 7:30 p.m., Behrens Auditorium
| Overture to Egmont Op. 84 |
Ludwig V. Beethoven |
Six Pieces for Orchestra Op. 6
I. Langsamer
II. Bewegt |
Anton Webern |
| A Prayer of Job |
Jeff Cottrell |
Suite No. 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat
I. The Neighbors’ Dance (Sequidillas)
II. The Miller’s Dance (Farucca)
III. Final Dance (Jota) |
Manuel de Falla |
Concert No. 3
Tuesday December 4th, 7:30 p.m., Behrens Auditorium
Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17
Andante sostenuto
Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
Moderato assai, Allegro vivo |
Peter Ilitch Tchaikovsky |
| Carol of the Bells |
Leontovich-Wilhousky
Arr. By Richard Hayman |
| Stille Nacht |
Davis/Custer |
| T’was The Night Before Christmas |
Bill Holcombe |
| Robert Rankin Brooks, narrator |
Concert No. 4
Thursday, March 7th, 7:30 p.m., Behrens Auditorium
| Hungarian March from The Damnation of Faust |
Hector Berlioz |
Pelleas and Mélisande Suite, Op. 80
Preludé
Andantino quasi Allegretto
Sicilienne
Molto Adagio |
Gabriel Fauré |
| The Heroes of Laniar for Full Orchestra |
Joseph Dunlap |
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7
Preludio
Giga
Toccata
Fuga |
Heitor Villa-Lobos |
Concert No. 5
HSU Orchestra with HSU Opera in a production of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte.
April 11th -13th, 7:30 p.m.,Van Ellis Theater
April 14th, 2:00 p.m., Van Ellis Theater