SPCO to bring orchestral expertise to University students during residency

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra will begin a three-year residency on campus during the 2005-2006 season of the University of Chicago Presents, the Department of Music’s professional concert series devoted to the performance of classical music.

A chamber orchestra is a small orchestra, often one stand per instrument, which was the standard configuration until the 19th century when it was replaced by the larger symphony orchestra.

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is the nation’s only full-time, professional chamber orchestra and is regarded as one of the finest in the world.

Next season’s residency spans a week in the fall, a week in the winter and a weekend in the spring of 2006, and includes a three-concert series dedicated to the chamber orchestra repertoire; a Saturday family concert; music education activities in local public elementary schools; and master classes, composition readings and chamber music coaching for University students.

“Our residency with the SPCO adds a world-class chamber orchestra to the musical menu of our already musically diverse city,” said Marna Seltzer, Director of the University of Chicago Presents.

“We think it fills a need and creates an exciting new offering on the local cultural scene. But perhaps more importantly, it allows our organization to expand its impact outside of the concert hall through outreach efforts that will enrich the lives of many different constituencies on the South Side.”

“We are pleased to have the SPCO on campus, and we look forward to their interaction with our faculty and students, especially students interested in composition and conducting,” said Robert Kendrick, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Music.

“We hope this residency will deepen students’ understanding of orchestration and orchestral practice, giving a new dimension to their work in composition, musical analysis and even the sociology of orchestras.”

Currently in its 47th season, the SPCO will launch its University residency on Friday, Nov. 4, with a concert led by Jeffrey Kahane, pianist and music director of the Colorado Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Kahane will both direct the program and appear as a soloist, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23.

On Jan. 22, 2006, Scottish oboist and conductor Douglas Boyd will lead the chamber orchestra in its performance of Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. Percussionist Colin Currie will appear as a soloist to perform James MacMillan’s Veni, Veni Emmanuel.

Italian conductor Roberto Abbado will conclude the inaugural year of the residency April 23, 2006, as the SPCO performs Mozart’s last three symphonies—39, 40 and 41. This program is part of the SPCO’s three-year exploration of Mozart, which culminates in April 2006 with a celebration of the anniversary of Mozart’s 250th birthday.

All SPCO concerts will take place in Mandel Hall. Subscriptions for the series will go on sale Friday, April 22.

For more information, call (773) 702-8068 or visit http://chicagopresents.uchicago.edu.