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String Music

Bradley Symphony Orchestra

The BSO is made up of a select group of musicians from all disciplines. The ensemble is open to not only music majors, but consists of numerous students from a variety of majors from within Bradley University. The BSO performs works from standard orchestral repertoire from the Baroque to the Contemporary. The BSO performs four concerts a year, including a major choral-orchestral work with the Bradley Community Chorus. The orchestra rehearses each week on Tuuesday from 7:00-9:30 pm and Wednesday from 12:00-12:50. If you would like to visit these rehearsals, all BSO rehearsals are open to the public and you are encouraged to do so. Membership in the Bradley Symphony Orchestra is by audition. Annual auditions are held at the beginning of the fall semester each year with “challenge” and new student auditions in January.

Auditions consist of three portions:

  • Scales
  • Solo/etude of your choice (not more than 4-5 minutes in length)
  • Orchestral excerpts (provided to you)

Please contact Dr. Tim Semanik (309) 677-3594 or tsemanik@bradley.edu for more information about the BSO and visit our Facebook page.

String/Chamber Ensemble

The string program at Bradley includes chamber music, Bradley Symphony Orchestra and solo performance opportunities. The String Chamber Music program, under the leadership of Marcia Henry Liebenow, teaches chamber music techniques and literature. Ensembles meet each week for coaching sessions as well as their own rehearsals. Students explore repertoire for string quartets, trios and duos as well as ensembles that could include woodwinds or piano. Each semester the String Chamber Music ensembles perform their own concert in Dingeldine Music Center, perform on student recitals, participate in Peoria Lunaire (New Music Ensemble) concerts, perform across campus for University events and receptions and play for events and receptions throughout central Illinois. Visiting guest artists give master classes for the chamber music ensembles.

For more information about strings at Bradley, contact Marcia Henry Liebenow at (309) 677-2602 or mhenry@bradley.edu