Valparaiso University Orchestra 2007-2008 Tour
Dennis Friesen-Carper , conductor

The Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra is a select student ensemble dedicated to professional standards of performance of works from both the standard and contemporary repertories. Although a majority of the players are music majors, the orchestra has members from all of VU’s professional colleges and the Law School. The Symphony made its debut as an all-student symphonic orchestra in 1999, and released its first CD, Reformation, in 2001. During the 2003-2004 season, the Symphony commissioned and premiered a new work by alumnus Frank Ferko, and accompanied Die Fledermaus. On Christmas Eve, the VUSO was on Chicago television in a gospel Christmas Concert with the Sanctuary Choir of Trinity United Church of Christ. Members of the orchestra in 2004, performed in England and Wales, concluding with Evensong at London’s Lutheran congregation, St. Anne and St. Agnes. In more recent seasons, the Symphony has had the privilege of working under guest conductors Helmut Rilling, Artistic Director of the Bachakadämie Stuttgart; Dennis Russell Davies, Music Director of the Bruckner Symphony of Linz; and Barbara Schubert, Music Director of the DuPage Symphony and the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestras.

In the 2006-2007 season members of the Symphony accompanied The Pirates of Penzance, presented concerts in St. Joseph, Michigan, and South Bend, IN, and collaborated in a performance of the St. John Passion of Johann Sebastian Bach under Mormon Tabernacle Choir Conductor, Craig Jessop. They also premiered Dr. Friesen-Carper's oratorio Innocents with 150 University and community choristers and soloists.

This season, the Symphony collaborates with violin Professor Dr. Gregory Maytan on the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, the University Chorale in music of Handel, Mendelssohn, and Warlock, and members will perform in the pit for the University Theatre production of Into the Woods. In May of 2008, the orchestra plans to tour to Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg.

Press Materials:

DennisFriesenCarper.tif (TIFF Image) | DennisFriesenCarper.doc (Word File)
Orchestra07.jpg (JPEG Image) | OrchestraBio.doc (Word File)
Orchestra207.jpg (JPEG Image)

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