Paul Bhasin, Conductor
Director of Orchestral Studies • Schwartz Professor of Music
For 100 years, the nationally-recognized Emory University Symphony Orchestra (EUSO) presents an annual season of dynamic performances with major works from the established orchestral repertoire and new works of the 21st century. The EUSO and Emory music performance programs serve students seeking instruction from premiere artist faculty (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra principals & members of the Vega String Quartet) along with a superlative orchestral performance experience. EUSO students bring a variety of experiences to the ensemble, with many members having participated in the National Youth Orchestra, Interlochen, Brevard, Tanglewood Institute, Verbier Chamber Orchestra, and the Eastern Music Festival, in addition to prominent youth symphony and wind ensemble programs from around the US and abroad. The EUSO combines forces annually with Emory’s celebrated University Chorus to feature masterworks of the rich symphonic-choral tradition.In addition to collaborations with faculty and other distinguished guest artists, students have the opportunity to appear as soloists with the orchestra as winners of the annual Emory Concerto & Aria Competition. The EUSO’s current project is a full-length CD Recording (under contract with Centaur Records) featuring concerti performed by Atlanta & Dallas Symphony Principals (and current/past Emory Faculty). Recent and upcoming projects include premiering Laura Schwendinger’s new concerto for Harp (with ASO Principal Harp and Emory faculty Elisabeth Remy Johnson), a multi-year Call for Compositions contest for BIPOC Female composers, and recordings featuring soloists including
Christina Smith (Principal Flute, Atlanta Symphony)
Laura Ardan (Principal Clarinet, Atlanta Symphony)
Stuart Stephenson (Principal Trumpet, Dallas Symphony)
Emily Brebach (Oboe/English Horn, Atlanta Symphony)
Masterclasses with renowned artists are a regular opportunity for EUSO students, with recent guests including Ray Chen, Itamar Zorman, James Dunham, David Schifrin, Norman Fischer, Soovin Kim, Daniel Hope, Zuill Bailey, and Roberto Diaz, along with the following partial roster of recent masterclass artists:
David Coucheron, Concertmaster, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Guy Piddington II, Trumpet, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Timothy Higgins, Principal Trombone, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
David Grossman, Bass, New York Philharmonic, Principal Bass, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Jacob Nissly, Principal Percussion, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
True to the spirit of the liberal arts environment, the large scale symphony orchestra draws its membership from not only the Department of Music but from all disciplines across the campus. Largely populated by music double majors, the orchestra warmly welcomes the participation of qualified non-majors and graduate students with appropriate backgrounds. The EUSO is committed to expanding orchestral repertoire and addressing access & representation issues in symphonic music, and as such as worked with Emory Arts in “re-imagining” the role of an academic orchestra through “Arts & Social Justice” collaborations with Atlanta-based archivist and curator Sierra King as well as commissioning projects with Brittany Green and Sofia Rocha.
The EUSO and its musicians are featured regularly on Atlanta’s National Public Radio affiliate with broadcast performances including Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Holst The Planets, Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and No. 10, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 and No. 6, and Philip Glass Cello Concerto No. 2 with acclaimed cellist, Matt Haimovitz. Additionally, EUSO musicians have performed live at the Siskel Film Center in Chicago (featured on NBC), on NBA-TV, filmed scenes for an HBO limited series, performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Brass, and shared the stage with rock pianist and songwriter Ben Folds.
RECENT REPERTOIRE
Each season, the EUSO performs major works from the repertoire including Brahms Symphony No. 2, Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and the Requiems of Mozart, Brahms, & Duruflé.
FACILITIES
The home of the orchestra is the world-class Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Completed in 2003, the Schwartz Center houses the 800-seat Emerson Concert Hall, Tharp Rehearsal Hall, the Schwartz Center Box Office and Administrative Suite, multiple chamber music and practice rooms, teaching studios, classrooms and student lounges. The 2005-2006 Season celebrated the inauguration of the new $1.5M concert organ built by Daniel Jaeckel, the latest addition to the hall. Additional practice rooms, classrooms, offices and a 250-seat Performing Arts Studio can be found at the Music Department’s Burlington Road building.
REHEARSALS
(full orchestra generally on both days)
Tuesdays: 4:30-6:30p.m.
Thursdays: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
CONTACT
General inquiries: Dr. Paul Bhasin, Director of Orchestral Studies | Music Director & Conductor
