James T. Chang, Visiting Director of the Carleton Orchestra
The Carleton Orchestra
The Carleton Orchestra (MUSE 187) is an auditioned ensemble open to the whole Carleton community (students, faculty, staff, and friends) that explores and performs orchestral repertoire at a high level, once per term. The Orchestra performs varied repertoire ranging from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Placement in the Orchestra is by audition at the beginning of each year.
The Carleton Orchestra rehearses Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM. Typically, Tuesday rehearsals are tutti and Thursday rehearsals are sectionals, with some exceptions. There are no rehearsals after the end of term concert.
Interested Students
Interested instrumentalists (as well as prospective students) may contact James T. Chang for more information regarding the orchestra program.
Orchestra Auditions occur during New Student Week for first year students. Prior to auditioning, new students should fill out Carleton’s Music Interest Form to establish communication regarding all musical interests. To join mid-year, please contact Professor Chang. All are welcome to audition!
Please see the Audition Information Page link in the FAQs below for audition information, including audition materials, scheduling, and sign-up times.
Highlights
The ensemble often collaborates with guest musicians and other Carleton ensembles. Recent performances have included Saint-Saëns’ Danse macabre, Copland’s Billy the Kid Suite, and Dvořák’s New World Symphony.
Visiting Director of Carleton Orchestra
James T. Chang is an American conductor and musician of Chinese descent and is currently the Visiting Director of the Carleton Orchestra. He has led ensembles in the Twin Cities, Chicago, Jacksonville, Miami, Atlanta, Berlin, and Paris, performing a diverse variety of works classic and new, Western and Eastern. James began his musical studies in piano and violin in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. He later studied at Northwestern University and at Florida State University, where he received his Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting under the tutelage of Alexander Jiménez, and just finished a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Minnesota under Mark Russell Smith. James is also active as a pianist, violinist, and violist, having played in numerous ensembles and orchestras, and is an avid amateur of the ancient Chinese instrument, the guqin.
Ensemble FAQs
Course Number MUSE 187
Rehearsals: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30-8:30 PM
Audition Information Page