University Orchestra
General Information:
The University Orchestra consists primarily of non-music majors from all across the University of Texas. The orchestra rehearses for three hours each week and performs a diverse selection of repertoire drawn from over 350 years of symphonic literature. Each year the University Orchestra performs four concerts, and will feature a guest artist at least once. All public concerts are performed in Bates Recital Hall. Ticket information can be found in the calendar of events on the School of Music website.
2009-2010 Repertory:
To be Announced August 2009!
2008-2009 Repertory:
Beethoven – Coriolan Overture
Bizet – Jeux d’enfants
Debussy – Prélude a l’apres-midi d’un faune
Dvorak – Symphony No. 8
Gershwin – American in Paris
Haydn – Cello Concerto in D major
Lauridson – O magnum mysterium
Marquez – Danzon No. 2
Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 5 “Reformation”
Nielsen – Aladdin Suite
Saint-Saens – Carnival of the Animals
Saint-Saens – Introduction and Rondo capriccioso
Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen
Shostakovich – Suite from The Gadfly
Strauss Jr. – Overture to the Gypsy Baron
Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
2009-2010 University Orchestra Performance Dates:
October 13, 2009
November 24, 2009
March 9, 2010
April 27, 2010
University Orchestra Music Directors
Music Director – Stefan Sanders:
Cuban-American musician Stefan Sanders has established himself as a performer and conductor ever since leaving his hometown of Austin, TX at the age of 16 to study at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI. After receiving his diploma Stefan continued his studies at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. While in New York he became the first bass trombone player to win the Juilliard Concerto Competition in the history of the school, resulting in his Avery Fischer Hall debut.
Just before graduating from Juilliard, Stefan auditioned for and won the position of bass trombone with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in Buffalo, NY. Since beginning his professional career, Stefan has performed with several orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Florida orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, and the Seattle Opera’s 2001 production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. In the summer of 2004 he played with Sir Elton John in his Radio City Music Hall concerts that were recorded for the Bravo Network.
As a trombone soloist he has performed concertos with the Buffalo Philharmonic, The United States “Pershing’s Own” Army Band and Orchestra, and the Juilliard Orchestra. In 1999 he recorded Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra in the Czech Republic with the Prague Radio Orchestra for Albany Records’ album entitled Bass Hits. He has also given many recitals and master classes in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe.
In September of 2006 Stefan was appointed apprentice conductor with the Buffalo Philharmonic. He has led that orchestra in several classical, pops, and education concerts. In June of 2008 he was appointed music director of the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra in Kingsville, TX. Since pursuing conducting his mentors have been JoAnn Falletta, Gerard Schwartz, and Peter Bay. He has also studied with the famous conducting pedagogues Gustav Meier and Jorma Panula. He is also the music director of the Austin City Brass Ensemble, a professional brass ensemble that gives entertaining as well as educational concerts in the Austin community.
At the University of Texas, Stefan is a student of Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann pursuing a MM in orchestral conducting and is a music director of the University Orchestra.
Music Director - Wesley Schulz:
Wesley Schulz is in his third year as Music Director of the University of Texas University Orchestra. In the fall of 2008 Schulz was appointed an Assistant Conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. A fan of chamber orchestra music, in 2007 Schulz founded the Texas Chamber Group presenting chamber sized orchestral works on a semester basis to the Austin community. Other posts at The University of Texas include Assistant and Guest Conductor of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the New Music Ensemble. For the past two summers Schulz has spent his time at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Schulz graduated magna cum laude from Ball State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance, a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a minor in cello performance. Schulz studied percussion with Dr. Erwin Mueller and Paul Gausman, cello with Mihai Tetel and David Lowe, and conducting with Kirk Trevor and Bridget-Michelle Reischl. Schulz earned his MM in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Texas Austin and is currently pursuing his doctorate as a student of Gerhardt Zimmermann. Outside of music Schulz enjoys running marathons as a member of the Austin-based running group, Gilbert’s Gazelles.