Symphony Orchestra

The Ohio Northern University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Professor Lloyd Butler, is a highly select group of students mixed with local professionals and faculty to perform the great sea of symphony orchestra repertoire. The Orchestra recently gave the world premiere performance of Emmy nominated composer, Joseph Curiale's  newest work, Silent Snow.

The ONU Orchestras perform a total of at least 6 programs a year including opera and musical theatre performances. Enrollment in the ONU Symphony is open to all University students regardless of major by way of audition. All orchestral wind, brass, percussion, and string players are encouraged to audition. The Orchestra rehearses Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:10-7:50pm. Scholarships are available for majors as well as non majors who wish to participate in the ONU Orchestra ensembles.

Recent Repertoire

Beethoven

• Symphony No. 3
  • Symphony No. 5
  • Symphony No. 6
  • Egmont Overture
• Borodin
  
  • Symphony No. 2
• Copland
  • Lincoln Portrait
  • Fanfare for the Common Man
  • Billy the Kid Suite
    
• Dvorak
  
  • Symphony No. 8
  • Symphony No. 9 “New World”
  • Slavonic Dances, op. 46
  • Cello Concerto in B minor
• Mahler
  
  • Symphony No. 4
• Mozart
  • Mass in C Minor
  • Ballet Music from Idomeneo
    
• Rachmaninoff
  • Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2
• Schubert
  • Symphony No. 8 Unfinished
• Tchaikovsky
  • Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat major
  • Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture

Recent Guest Artists

Van Cliburn, Janos Starker, Modern Mandolin Quartet, Table for Five, Roman Rudnytsky, Petula Clark, Tony Sandler, Jack Jones

The Ohio Northern University Orchestra Talent Awards

Ohio Northern University Orchestra talent awards are available to all enrolled students at Ohio Northern University regardless of major. Awards are granted based on the student’s artistic potential as heard in a scheduled audition. Talent award amounts are contingent upon the complete financial aid package.

Musicians who play the following instruments are eligible: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Oboe/English Horn, Bassoon, Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion, Piano, Harp.

Audition Requirements: All incoming freshman and current students must audition by scheduling an appointment with Orchestra Director, Lloyd Butler, l-butler@onu.edu. Auditions will consist of the following:

• A prepared unaccompanied solo
• Scales, major and minor 2 octaves
• Sight reading of orchestral excerpts

Requirements for the Talent Award

• Required to enroll in the appropriate APMU individual instruction for their freshman year.
• All Potential Principal players must be available to play in the pit orchestra on an as needed basis.
• Must be present at all orchestra rehearsals as assigned at the beginning of each academic year. Absences are only permitted in the case of University classes and approved activities.

Talent Award Renewal

Talent Awards are renewable as long as the student is in good academic standing and meets the requirements of the Talent Award. The musician on an Orchestra Award does not need to re-audition each year to renew the award however, seating is determined at the beginning of each year based on seating auditions.

For more information regarding this talent scholarship, please contact Professor Lloyd Butler, at l-butler@onu.edu or (419) 772-2690.