For most of the orchestra’s members, music is a hobby. The time spent preparing for a concert is time away from school work: a time to interact socially, emotionally, and intellectually with other musicians and to get away from academic pressures. Nonetheless, the college recognizes that the time committed to the orchestra enhances the educational experience of each participant, and that developing the skill required to perform in an orchestra is a valuable part of a well-rounded education.
For these and other reasons,
We meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from
The orchestra collaborates regularly with the Pomona College Choir, usually for the last program of each season. The April 2008 program featured Mozart’s delightful “Coronation” mass and Poulenc’s atmospheric Gloria. The coming year will conclude with the “Song of Destiny” (Schicksalslied) by Brahms and the theatrical, dramatic Dona Nobis Pacem of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Generally one faculty soloist is also featured each year. In October 2006, oboe instructor Francisco Castillo joined the orchestra for the lighthearted and pastoral oboe concerto by Bohuslav Martinů. This October, Prof. Genevieve Lee of the music department’s full-time faculty will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #4, the most noble of all concertos for the instrument.
Of course, the orchestra plays plenty of music on its own, without the assistance of soloists or other ensembles. The highlight of the Fall 2008 semester figures to be the massive, heroic Symphony #10 by Shostakovich, but every piece on the orchestra’s schedule has something unique to offer. See for yourself what the PCO has tackled in previous seasons or the complete offerings for the 2008-09 concert year.