The Symphony Orchestra is BYU-Idaho's premier orchestral ensemble, comprised of select string, wind, brass and percussion students. Performing standard orchestral repertoire, the Symphony regularly collaborates with university choirs in special projects and performance tours. Audition is required.
Symphony Orchestra represents one of the premiere ensembles of the orchestral program at BYU-Idaho. The Symphony specializes in full orchestral literature of the 19th and 20th centuries and presents bi-annual operas, Sacred Music Series and regularly features both student and professional guest soloists.
Sinfonietta is BYU-Idaho's top chamber orchestra, consisting of select string, wind, and percussion students. It is also the Department's touring orchestra, embarking on performance tours every 2 years, both domestically and abroad. Audition is required.
Personnel for Sinfonietta are drawn by invitation each semester from members of the Symphony Orchestra, according to repertoire needs. Sinfonietta performs standard orchestral literature of the 18th century as well as string and chamber orchestra literature from all style periods. Sinfonietta regularly tours both domestically and internationally.
Baroque Ensemble provides serious music students the opportunity to study and perform literature from the 17th and 18th centuries using the University's collection of baroque instruments. Audition is required.
The University Baroque Ensemble focuses on authentic period performance of chamber literature from the 17th and 18th centuries, with emphasis on baroque performance practice. Students will use BYU-Idaho's collection of modern reproductions of baroque era instruments including: baroque violins, violas and cellos, harpsichord, organ, theorbo, and violone. The ensemble is open to strings and keyboards by audition each semester. Students will gain experience in issues specific to the period, including bowing and articulation, instrumentation, dynamics, notational problems, and improvisation, including solo and figured bass realization.
Open to all interested students regardless of major, University Orchestra is a large string ensemble designed to provide a challenging and fulfilling musical experience. No audition is required.
The University Orchestra is a non-auditioned string ensemble designed to provide intermediate to advanced students a challenging and fulfilling orchestral experience. The ensemble typically numbers 50-70 players, composed primarily of those not majoring in music. The group focuses on the development of orchestral playing and gives students the opportunity to prepare for participation in auditioned ensembles. The University Orchestra presents at least one concert each semester, with occasional involvement in collaborative productions such as Handel's Messiah.