Orchestras

Chamber Orchestra

The ASU Chamber Orchestra, which in 1997 produced its first commercially released CD, A Brassy Night at the Opera, on the Summit label, presently performs four to six concerts annually. This ensemble performs works explicitly composed or originally intended for a small orchestra. Their recording of the Hoover Clarinet Concerto was released in 2005 on the Summit Label.

Visiting artists who have performed with the Chamber Orchestra include violinists Ilya Kaler and Sergiu Luca, as well as cellists Colin Carr and Stephen Kates. Faculty and student soloists also regularly appear in concert with the ASU Chamber Orchestra.

In addition to performing on the ASU campus each year, in March of 2005 they offered two performances of Bach's monumental B minor Mass with the ASU Concert Choir. In spring 2002, the Chamber Orchestra offered three complete performances of Handel's Messiah with the Phoenix Bach Choir. The two ensembles collaborated again in 2003. In 2001, the Chamber Orchestra was a featured performance ensemble at the national conference of the American Society of University Composers.

"The Arizona State University Chamber Orchestra conducted by Timothy Russell played flawlessly."
- International Trumpet Guild Journal Review of Brassy Nights CD

"It was especially refreshing for me to hear the talented Arizona State University Chamber orchestra…Firm but sensitive control with meaningful baton work and a strong musical sense characterized the conducting of Timothy Russell…The orchestra achieved a remarkable pianissimo without losing tone and timbre…Emotion and excitement charged the air. No recording could have captured that, nor the enthusiasm, nor the unity of feelings between orchestra and audience. A memorable performance resulted, especially because of the unity of orchestra and audience."
- Green Valley News and Sun