General Information
The Clemson University Symphony Orchestra (CUSO) is a college-community ensemble serving South Carolina's upstate region. Most of the ensemble's 65+ members are university students, drawn from a variety of majors and from Clemson's Performing Arts degree; the others include university staff and faculty, community members and, occasionally, talented high school students.
CUSO performs a number of times during the school year, including major concerts in late fall and late spring, and a concert for kids. Many of the concerts feature instrumental and vocal soloists of regional renown, choruses, as well as standard works for orchestra. See the repertoire page for a listing of this year's concert selections. Recent major works have included Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, Dvorak's symphonies nos. 8 and 9, Beethoven's 3rd (the Eroica), Bach's Magnificat, Mozart's D Minor Piano Concerto, and the charming Blue Chevlolet: A Station Wagon Symphony by Washington DC composer Charlie Barnett.
CUSO performs a number of times during the school year, including major concerts in late fall and late spring, and a concert for kids. Many of the concerts feature instrumental and vocal soloists of regional renown, choruses, as well as standard works for orchestra. See the repertoire page for a listing of this year's concert selections. Recent major works have included Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, Dvorak's symphonies nos. 8 and 9, Beethoven's 3rd (the Eroica), Bach's Magnificat, Mozart's D Minor Piano Concerto, and the charming Blue Chevlolet: A Station Wagon Symphony by Washington DC composer Charlie Barnett.
The Orchestra's Mission
The mission of the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra (CUSO) is to achieve the highest level of music-making appropriate for a college/community ensemble. In the course of rehearsals, musicians will gain practical knowledge of ensemble playing, musicianship, intonation, and phrasing, and during the concert will integrate these skills to produce the best performance of which they are capable.
By its very nature, CUSO is a diverse group. It is made mostly of Clemson University students who are preparing for non-music careers, but also musicians from the community and some Performing Arts majors as well. Participation is by audition, with non-music students, community members, and performing arts majors all having equal opportunity to play. CUSO rehearses and performs in a nurturing, relaxed, non-competitive environment that emphasizes hard-work, individual musicianship and learning. Students are expected to practice their music, for their own benefit and for the benefit of the entire ensemble.
By participating in this program students will have created their own Clemson Experience, with memories of musical events, new friendships, and a greater appreciation of the value of music and the arts in today's society.
By its very nature, CUSO is a diverse group. It is made mostly of Clemson University students who are preparing for non-music careers, but also musicians from the community and some Performing Arts majors as well. Participation is by audition, with non-music students, community members, and performing arts majors all having equal opportunity to play. CUSO rehearses and performs in a nurturing, relaxed, non-competitive environment that emphasizes hard-work, individual musicianship and learning. Students are expected to practice their music, for their own benefit and for the benefit of the entire ensemble.
By participating in this program students will have created their own Clemson Experience, with memories of musical events, new friendships, and a greater appreciation of the value of music and the arts in today's society.
Additional Links and Information
| CUSO Repertoire 1993-2018 |