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Cornell Symphony Orchestra

Course Information

The Cornell Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is one of the largest musical groups on the Cornell campus. The group's members are drawn from all circles of Cornell life, including undergraduate students, graduate students, Cornell faculty, and members of the Ithaca community. Under the direction of Chris Younghoon Kim, the Cornell Symphony Orchestra has continuously strived to present the best works of contemporary composers as well as compositions by established musical figures.

Course Details

Course Number MUSIC 3621 (343-344)
Credits Either 0 credits, S-U, or 1 credit, letter grade, each semester.
Prerequisite Successful audition.
Conductor Chris Younghoon Kim
Orchestra TAs Fall: Takuma Itoh
Spring: Jesse Jones
Location B20 Lincoln Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Contact Tel: 607-255-8614
E-mail: cyk8@cornell.edu

Rehearsals

Regular rehearsals are held in B20 of Lincoln Hall.

Monday 6:40 - 8:25 PM
Wednesday 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Monday rehearsals will be extended by 15 minutes during concert week (6:40 to 8:40 PM).

Additional dress rehearsals will be scheduled before each concert.

  • Saturday, October 3, 2009, 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM in Bailey Hall.
  • Friday, November 20, 2009, 4:30 - 7:30 PM in Sage Hall.
  • Saturday, December 5, 2009, 2:00 - 4:30 PM in Bailey Hall.

Fall 2009 Performances

Sat. Oct. 3

Saturday, October 3, 2009, 8:00 PM

Joint concert with CCO

Bailey Hall, Cornell University

Program:
  • Kristen P. Kuster: Beneath This Stone
  • Benjamin Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34
Details:

Joint concert with the Cornell Chamber Orchestra.

Kuster: 3222 4231 timp, 2 perc, hp, str 10'

Britten: 3222 - 4231 - tmp+ 7(5) - hp - str 18'

Sat and Sun,
Nov. 21 and 22

Saturday, November 21, 2009, 8:00 PM

Auburn, NY (carpool leaving at 4 PM)

Sunday, November 22, 2009, 3:00 PM

Sage Chapel, Cornell University

Program:
  • F.J. Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass
Details:

Strings Only

Joint concerts with the Cornell University Chorale.

11/13 Friday, 4:30-6:45 pm: extra rehearsal with Chorale in B20

11/20 Friday, 4:30-7:00 pm: dress rehearsal with Chorale in Sage Chapel


All dates will be confirmed upon the start of classes.

Sun. Dec. 6

Sunday, December 6, 2009, 3:00 PM

Bailey Hall, Cornell University

Program:
  • Wolf/Stucky: Eight Songs from the Spanisches Liederbuch
  • Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
Details:

Joint concert with Cornell University Wind Ensemble.

Wolf/Stucky: 2222 - 2200 - tmp+ 1 - str '19

Rachmaninoff: 3333 - asx - 4331 - tmp+5 - hp - pno - str '33

Sun. Dec. 13

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Barnes Hall, Cornell University

Special Event

6th Annual Concerto Competition

1:00-5:00 PM: Preliminary Rounds

8:00 PM: Final Round Concert

Click here for more details.

Spring 2010 Performances

Sun. Mar. 7

Sunday, March 7, 2010, 3:00 PM

Bailey Hall, Cornell University

Program:
  • Winner of the 6th Annual Concerto Competition
  • Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 1, Op. 39, in E minor
Details:

Joint concert with Cornell Chamber Orchestra.

Featuring the winner of the 6th Annual Concerto Competition.

Sibelius: 2222 - 4331 - tmp+2 - hp - str 38'

Sat. Apr. 24 Saturday, April 24, 2010, 3:00 PM
Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Program:
  • Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2
  • Details:

    Joint concert with Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra, as a part of the Ithaca International Conducting Masterclass with Gustav Meier.

    Ravel: 2 1 alto 2 1.2 1 Eb 3 1 - 4431 - tmp+perc - cel - 2 hp - str

Sat. May 2

Sunday, May 2, 2010, 3:00 PM

Bailey Hall, Cornell University

Program:
  • Eric Nathan: Icarus Dreamt
  • P.I. Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini: Symphonic Fantasy after Dante, Op. 32
  • Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2
Details:

Nathan: 2223 - 4331 - tmp+3 - hp - str 9'

Tchaikovsky: 3322 - 4431 - tmp+3 - hp - str 23'

Ravel: 2 1 alto 2 1.2 1 Eb 3 1 - 4431 - tmp+perc - cel - 2 hp - str

Grading

Since the Symphony Orchestra is a performance-oriented course, it is expected that each member will attend ALL rehearsals and performances. For any musical ensemble to be successful, every member must demonstrate a high level of commitment to the group. Lateness and absence are detrimental not only to the actual music making but more importantly, to the morale of the entire orchestra. Therefore, grades are based on attendance and musical preparation.

Seating is made on a concert-by-concert basis. Rotation is at the discretion of the conductor, possibly in consultation with other members of the faculty.

Attendance at all concerts and all rehearsals is required. Absence from rehearsals and concerts will be excused only in cases of incapacitating illness or family emergency. Written notice is required, and a doctor's note may be requested. Absences for reasons other than the above will affect your grade and/or membership in the orchestra (see below). At the discretion of the conductor, you might be asked to find a substitute should you be excused from a rehearsal.

Attendance is taken at 6:40 PM on Mondays and 7:00 PM on Wednesdays, (the rehearsal studio clock) and rehearsals begin on time with the tuning note. All musicians should be in their places and warmed up before the start of each rehearsal and after break. Frequent tardiness will affect one's grade and/membership in the orchestra. It is the student's responsibility to request excuses, and document absences/lateness in writing. Each unexcused absence above two (2) will result in your grade being lowered by a letter. Four (4) unexcused absences will cause dismissal with an F. Two tardies will count as one unexcused absence. Absences during concert week will not be allowed. For last minute emergencies, please leave messages on the conductor’s voice mail, (607)255-8614.

Concert Dress

Women All black: Black skirt or black (dress) pants, black blouse, dark hose, elegant black shoes.
Men All black: Black (dress) pants, jacket, white shirt, black bow tie, black socks and black shoes. No sneakers or jeans.

Sectionals

There will be sectionals scheduled occasionally throughout the semester, usually during the regular rehearsal time with guest coaches. Sectionals will be coached by either the conductor, the orchestra TA, a guest artist or a section leader. It is required that all attend sectionals. You will have at least a one-week notice of all sectionals via email and on the orchestra website. Sectionals are a great opportunity to make up for lost rehearsal time resulting from an absence.

Guests Artists and Master Classes

There will be opportunities to attend master classes and recitals by guest artists for all members.

Website and Listserv

The orchestra website will have all current info about upcoming rehearsal schedules and concert schedules: http://www.arts.cornell.edu/orchestra

To be included on the orchestra's listserv please contact Chris Kim cyk8@cornell.edu.

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