Visual and Performing Arts

Orchestra

Conductor Joel Neves with KSO

Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra

Register for: FA3400
Audition Required

Founded in 1971, the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra is the Upper Peninsula’s oldest orchestra and one of five symphony orchestras in the Lake Superior region. The KSO is a college-community ensemble composed of Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff, and community musicians. The orchestra presents four to five concerts per year—including orchestral masterworks, choral-orchestral, music theatre, ballet, opera, and pops—in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. The KSO tours the Midwest every few years.

Auditions

Auditions for entrance and seating in the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra are required for the following sections: returning strings, horns, trumpets, and all new members.

New members (all instruments) audition in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. Returning members (strings, horns, trumpets) will record their audition, post it on YouTube/Vimeo/Google Video, and email the conductor the link before beginning of the fall semester. 

Please prepare all excerpts for your chose instrument - violinists may choose either first or second violin; however, those who played first violin the previous season are required to audition on the first part.

There are YouTube links for each excerpt, including specific time stamps. These should give a good impression of how the music should sound and the general tempi.

Play Brahms Symphony No., 2nd Movement video
Preview image for Brahms Symphony No., 2nd Movement video

Brahms Symphony No., 2nd Movement

Play Russian Sailor's Dance video
Preview image for Russian Sailor's Dance video

Russian Sailor's Dance

Gallery

Member of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra plays the contrabassoon.
Member of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra plays the trombone.
Conductor Joel Neves with the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra.
Member of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra plays the harp.
Member of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra holding a violin.
Member of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra plays the violin.
Member of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra plays the drums.
Close up of conductor Joel Neves with the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra.
Three members of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra play the French horn.
Two members of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra read a piece of music.
Member of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra plays the xylophone.
Members of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra play the clarinet.

Practice Rooms Available

Practice rooms are available in both the Rozsa center and in the dormitories. There is no cost to use these spaces.

Please check the schedules in the individual spaces for when these rooms are available.

Instrument Lockers

Instrument lockers are available to students playing in a Michigan Tech ensemble for $25 per year. Locks are provided. If you would like a locker, please contact Tanya Maki to make arrangements.

Need an Instrument?

Tubas, Percussion, Mellophones, Baritones, Bari Saxes, and Bass Clarinets are available. Limited numbers of other instruments are available on a first come first serve basis. Check schedule for check out time and dates. No charge.