A new partnership between the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and The University of Tulsa will create a wealth of opportunities for students in TU’s School of Music and further strengthen the city’s arts scene.
The collaboration calls upon a quintet of Tulsa Symphony musicians to serve as artists in residence throughout the 2022-23 academic year, conducting masterclasses with the TU Orchestra and serving as mentors for the students and performing recitals twice a year for the School of Music. This partnership is invaluable to the fortification of the relationship between Tulsa Symphony and TU’s Kendall College of Arts & Sciences, illustrating the benefits of linking two exceptional Tulsa organizations.
“Tulsa has a long history of supporting the fine and performing arts,” said TU President Brad R. Carson. “It is my hope that The University of Tulsa continues to create future generations of arts patrons who develop a lifelong love of music and advance cultural programming throughout our community for decades to come. This new arrangement gives us a new avenue to ensure we succeed in that mission.”
Tulsa Symphony will hold chamber orchestra concerts at TU’s Lorton Performance Center in October 2022 and March 2023 – both open to the public. TU music students will attend the dress rehearsals and will be provided discounted tickets to other events.
“TSO offers more to our community than concerts. It educates, entertains and inspires,” said Keith C. Elder, executive director of Tulsa Symphony. “This partnership between two of Tulsa’s most vital organizations will be an incredible asset for the music community, students, and for the City of Tulsa.”
For its part, TU will provide a student intern from the university’s arts, culture and entertainment management program who will serve TSO while gaining a year’s worth of invaluable experience. The university also will promote Tulsa Symphony concerts held on campus as well as at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
In addition to the numerous students pursuing degrees or minoring in music, the School of Music welcomes students from all academic programs to audition and perform in large ensembles, and music scholarships are available. Additionally, all students participating in orchestra – regardless of major – will have the chance to sit alongside gifted TSO musicians and learn from them firsthand.
The partnership is funded through generous support from the Dr. David B. Waters Charitable Foundation. “This historic arrangement honors David’s legacy and bolsters two organizations he graciously supported,” Carson said. This gift was borne out of Waters’ steadfast devotion to and advocacy for music education and youth mentorship, having previously been a troop leader for the Boy Scouts for several years and an enthusiastic proponent of orchestral music.
“The program is a marvelous opportunity for TU music students,” said Professor Richard Wagner, director of the School of Music. “The chance for TU musicians to work and receive regular feedback from the resident ensemble builds on the strong foundation provided by our outstanding faculty. This unique program also enhances the traditionally strong relationship between TU and TSO – all to the benefit of our student musicians. We are extraordinarily grateful to the Waters Trust and the visionaries who made this all possible.”
If you would like to learn more about the new TU-TSO collaboration or find out how to participate in the music ensembles as a TU student, please call the School of Music at 918-631-2738. We look forward to hearing from you!