Western States Honor Orchestra Festival Reimagined

As a celebration of the completion of UNC’s new performance and rehearsal space, Campus Commons, we have reimagined WSHOF 2019 to be an experience of college life for our invited High School musicians. 

The String Chamber Orchestra will be a conductorless ensemble with each section being led by a UNC string professor in the chamber orchestra version of Shostakovich’s 8th String Quartet, as well as a movement from Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

The WSHOF Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Russell Guyver, will rehearse and perform Mahler’s 1st Symphony, in collaboration with UNC winds, percussion and some UNC string players.

Harpists will receive instruction from UNC’s harp professor, Janet Harriman, who is principal harpist of both Opera Colorado and Central City Opera.  A harp ensemble will perform, and student harpists will participate in the Mahler symphony.

Our head of academic studies in the School of Music, Dr. Jonathan Bellman, will give lectures on both Mahler and Shostakovich, in order to enhance the performing experience with a strong intellectual understanding of the works.

We will have masterclasses and string sectionals on Friday of the Festival, and, mindful of the musical challenges that the orchestral works demand, we’ll begin rehearsals on Thursday evening, November 7th 

The Festival will culminate in a concert at 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 9th in the magnificent new Campus Commons Performance Hall.  We look forward to welcoming you to WSHOF Reimagined!