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University Symphony Orchestra

The 80-member Symphony Orchestra at California State University, Long Beach, is recognized as one of the finest university orchestras in Southern California.

A wide and varied repertoire, ranging from the Baroque to the 21st Century emphasizing historically informed performance practices, is presented in four repeated programs each semester. Collaborations with a variety of faculty artists, composers, ballet companies and CSULB’s Choral/Opera Department are regularly featured.

Graduate student conductors are given frequent rehearsal and performance opportunities with the ensemble. The goal of the orchestra is to provide training and stimulus for aspiring professional musicians and music teachers, to encourage qualified students of the University to continue to cultivate their skills, and to present the finest in symphonic literature to the university, community and public at large.

Membership is open to both major and non-major participation.

Go to the main Orchestra pages for detailed information.

Chamber Ensembles

The Department Of Music is proud to offer a wide variety of chamber music experiences for the aspiring professional musician. Coached and conducted by the foremost leaders in the field, the ensembles exhibit a very high level of performance excellence. Each ensemble is in popular demand and performs concerts both on and off campus. The philosophy of the chamber music program is to provide students with a wide exposure to and performance of the standard and contemporary chamber literature. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the chamber ensemble program by experiencing a variety of performance ensembles.

String Chamber

Some of the greatest music ever written is for small string ensembles. In collaboration with winds and piano, this incredibly beautiful repertoire is explored in weekly-coached rehearsals and three class performances each semester. Emphasis is placed on the ensemble skills of listening, collaborating and leading. Stylistically informed performances are joyously presented. Membership is open to both major and non-major participation. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester.

University String Quartet

Some of the greatest music ever written is for small string ensembles. In collaboration with winds and piano, this incredibly beautiful repertoire is explored in weekly-coached rehearsals and three class performances each semester. Emphasis is placed on the ensemble skills of listening, collaborating and leading. Stylistically informed performances are joyously presented. Membership is open to both major and non-major participation. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester.

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Collegium Musicum

Collegium Musicum explores instrumental and vocal music from the Middle Ages through the nineteenth century. The basic ensemble is a chamber orchestra that focuses on appropriate performance styles for older music in the twenty-first century. Through rehearsals and performances, students will learn appropriate historical styles of performance practice. Issues such as instrumental development, nationalistic performance styles (i.e., Italian, French, German, English), sound production, articulation, metrical hierarchy and accentuation, and ornamentation will be covered.

Smaller chamber groups for instruments and voices are encouraged. The Conservatory has a good collection of Renaissance instruments, and consorts of recorders, sackbuts, and gambas are often created.

Each semester culminates in a group concert performance, in which student opportunities for concertos and arias are plentiful. The ensemble also frequently collaborates with choral and operatic ensembles.

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Strings Faculty

All Faculty/Staff
  • Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
  • California State University, Long Beach
  • 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd.
  • Long Beach, CA 90840-7101
  • 562-985-4781 phone
  • 562-985-2490 fax
  • csulb.edu/coleconservatory

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