Orchestra
The UNLV Symphony Orchestra is comprised of undergraduate/graduate music majors/minors in the UNLV College of Fine and Performing Arts as well as non-music majors in other departments at the university. Their intent is to become professional quality performers and teachers. Developing the skills required to reach these lofty ends requires intensive private study, individual practice, rehearsal, and experience. To support this mission the UNLV Music Department offers Music Majors, Music Minors, and others private lessons on all of the orchestral instruments with a distinguished faculty of performers (see Bios).
In an effort to provide a rich variety of musical experiences the orchestra presents a number of programs each season that include the entire range of the orchestral repertoire, Broadway music, the operatic repertoire, and ballet. The orchestra performs at least one major work with chorus every year as well as one complete opera. Student soloists are featured throughout the year either on the Student Soloists Concert or as guest artists for winning the Grand Prize at the annual James Hunztzinger Solo Competition which carries with it a cash award of $1000.00. As well, a number of outside activities are afforded the orchestra including appearances with major professional performers.
Last season the orchestra was featured in the international media at the opening of the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas while appearing with singer/songwriter David Foster. In addition, their performance last season with the venerable Jane Dutton, mezzo-soprano with the Metropolitan Opera, was hailed by Las Vegas critic Hal de Becker as "one of the best operatic performances seen locally" (see review below). The orchestra performs with various artists on a regular basis. This year's guest artists include oboist Stephen Caplan, world-renowned violinist Charles Castleman, pianist Rou Lian Xie, and arranger Vincent Falcone. The orchestra will tour Northern California in February 2000. Other recent collaborations have included the Mariposa Trio and the UNLV Voice Faculty.In addition to the orchestral experience, students receive regular intensive chamber music training from members of the faculty, guest artists, the Mariposa Trio, and the Sierra Woodwind Quintet. The Las Vegas based Liberace Foundation also provides generous support for a scholarship quartet of undergraduates/graduates that are chosen by competitive auditions for particularly intense training and performance. Last year's Liberace Scholars Quartet received full scholarships to the Brevard Music Festival's Advanced Chamber Music Program. The Music Department also offers numerous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships for study at UNLV; decreasing the already low cost of study at this august institution.