Contact Us
Contact:
Streeks, Richard Paul
Administrative Coordinator
Katzen Arts Center, Room 101 on a map
Performing Arts 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8053 United StatesInstrumental Ensembles at AU
AU Chamber Players
Auditions
Auditions are held at the beginning of the semester in conjunction with the American University Symphony Orchestra auditions and by appointment. For more information please contact Musician-in-Residence, Nancy Jo Snider: 202-885-3872 or nsnider@american.edu.
About
The American University Chamber Players are comprised of student groups from our Chamber Ensembles (Perf 145/545) and provide students with the special opportunity of making music in small, intimate numbers. Ensembles vary with regard to size and instrumentation depending upon the students' level, instrumentation, and schedule. Groups have ranged in size from duos to octets, are coached by members of our in-residence faculty, and are presented in recital at the end of every semester and additionally when appropriate.
Recent performance opportunities in addition to the end-of-semester recital include:
- Master classes with National Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster, Nurit Bar-Josef, Kenneth Slowik (artistic director of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society), and AU Faculty
- Community outreach at the Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts (a nationally acclaimed arts center for at-risk youth in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC)
- Art galleries, places of worship, and historic homes throughout Washington
- Unique locations on and around the AU campus
- Featured performers at AU events
Auditions
Auditions for AU Symphony Orchestra are held the first week of each semester for new players. Special, late auditions may also be arranged. For more information about auditions or AU Symphony Orchestra, please contact the orchestra manager at orchestra@american.edu, or Conductor and Director of Orchestral Activities Matthew Brown at mbrown@american.edu or 202-885-3433.
About
Conducted by Matthew Brown, the AU Symphony Orchestra has more than sixty accomplished members from the entire AU community: undergraduate and graduate music majors and non-music majors from every college at AU, music and non-music faculty and staff, and members of the Washington, DC, community. AU Symphony Orchestra represents the Music Program and the Department of Performing Arts, and is a major artistic organization of, and ambassador for, American University.
The beautiful Abramson Family Recital Hall in AU's Katzen Arts Center is home to AU Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra rehearses onstage in its Recital Hall on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 8:15-10:15 p.m. Periodically, the ensemble is also lead in special sectional rehearsals by members of AU's stellar Instrumental Music Faculty, with whom all orchestral students–music majors and non-majors alike–have the opportunity to study.
AU Symphony Orchestra plays at least three major concert programs per season, each in repeat performances. The orchestra's repertoire consists of the major masterworks from the Baroque through the Twentieth Century.
Each year, AU Symphony Orchestra hosts a major event on campus, the Concerto and Aria Competition, in which undergraduate and graduate student instrumentalists and singers compete for the opportunity to perform in concert with the orchestra. Winners from a field of more than a dozen competitors are selected by a distinguished panel of judges from the Department of Performing Art's music faculty.
AU Symphony Orchestra frequently collaborates with the American University Choral Ensembles in performances of major works for chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra. AU Symphony Orchestra also serves as a lab orchestra for conducting students in the Department of Performing Arts.
Auditions
AU undergraduate and graduate students as well as community members and staff are welcome to join the AU Symphonic Band. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Katzen Arts Center. Auditions for seating take place during the first week of classes. Contact Matthew Brown, director of the Symphonic Band, with questions about membership (mbrown@american.edu).
About
The AU Symphonic Band (PERF-147) is an ensemble for woodwind, brass, and percussion players that performs the highest quality wind repertoire. Its goal is to provide an opportunity for students with vastly different disciplines to interact socially and musically, nurture the highest level of musicianship, explore forms of human expression, and inspire a love of the arts.