A violist performing
Start: October 14, 2023 9:30 a.m.
End: October 15, 2023 5 p.m.
Location: Sursa Performance Hall
Contact Details
Peter Opie
765-285-5423

Honors String Orchestra with guest conductor Joel Smirnoff

Ball State University will host the High-School Honors String Orchestra on Saturday & Sunday, October 14 & 15, 2023. The orchestra is open to all high school students by recommendation from their private instructor or orchestra director.

The purpose of the Honors String Orchestra is to provide an opportunity for students to perform in an exceptional musical ensemble, work with a distinguished conductor and faculty, and, perform in an outstanding concert venue. Students selected will work in full ensemble rehearsals, small group sectionals, and receive opportunities for individual coaching. The event concludes with a public concert to showcase the talents and efforts of all participants.

Interested in participating? 
Scan or click the QR Code below to fill out the registration form!

QR code leading to registration page for High School Honors Orchestra at Ball State University School of Music 

Application Deadline - September 1st

 

Event Information

  • Each accepted student will pay a registration fee of $30.
  • All events will take place within the Music Instruction Building/Sursa Performance Hall on the campus of Ball State University.
  • Practice parts will be emailed to students approximately four weeks in advance.
  • Accommodations will not be provided, there are numerous hotels in the Muncie area.
  • Meals will be available either on campus or within easy walking distance.

Schedule Outline

On both days, activities will begin at 10am and will conclude at approximately 5pm. This will include tutti rehearsals, sectionals, master classes, a faculty performance, and the final orchestra concert at 3:30pm on Sunday. All performances will be open to the public and free of charge.

A detailed schedule will be provided closer to the event date.


Honors String Orchestra Guest Conductor: Joel Smirnoff

Composer Joel Smirnoff poses for a portait 

Photo Credit: Peter Schaaf

Conductor, violinist and eminent pedagogue, Joel Smirnoff served as President of the Cleveland Institute of Music from 2008 until 2016, holding the Mary Elizabeth Callahan President’s Chair. Encouraged by Seiji Ozawa to “take up the baton,” Mr. Smirnoff has developed into a highly acclaimed conductor with an impressive and wide-ranging repertoire. He is consistently cited for his high energy and special attention to the stylistic demands of each work.

In 2000, Mr. Smirnoff made his official American conducting debut with the San Francisco Symphony, conducting an all-Tchaikovsky program. Guest conducting engagements in the U.S. have included the Amarillo Symphony, Chicago Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony, Hartford Symphony, Juilliard Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, Napa Valley Symphony, New World Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, Texas Music Festival Orchestra, and others. In Europe, he has led the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and the Basel Sinfonietta; in Japan, the Saito Kinen Festival (Matsumoto); and in China, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. 

Former member of the Juilliard String Quartet, Joel Smirnoff was featured violin soloist in 1997 at the Tanglewood Music Festival in a concert dedicated to the memory of violinist Louis Krasner, performing the Berg Violin Concerto under the direction of Bernard Haitink. In 1983, as second-prize winner of the International American Music Competition for Violin, he was awarded debuts at Carnegie Hall on its Emerging Artists series and at Town Hall on its Midtown Masters series.

In 2011, Mr. Smirnoff received both the Lifetime Grammy Award for his recorded work with the Juilliard String Quartet and an Alumni Professional Achievement Award from the University of Chicago, his Alma Mater. He has served on the juries of the Naumburg and Indianapolis International violin competitions. Mr. Smirnoff returned in 2014 to conduct the Indianapolis Symphony in the finals of the Indianapolis competition.

As a music educator, Joel Smirnoff has been a member of the chamber music faculty of The Juilliard School since 1986, and the violin faculty since 1989, serving as its chair from 1992-2008. He was conducting assistant to Maestro Seiji Ozawa and Head of String Studies at the Tanglewood Music Center from 1995-2000.

A native of New York City, Mr. Smirnoff also plays jazz, performing frequently as accompanying artist with Tony Bennett. His improvised solos can be heard on the Grammy Award-winning CD Tony Bennett Sings Ellington Hot and Cool. 

If you have any questions about the Honors String Orchestra, please contact us via email or phone:
pbopie@bsu.edu
(765) 285-5423