Reform UWM Orchestra Program

The current music director for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Orchestra, Professor Margery Deutsch, does not provide a satisfactory orchestral education for music students. Students who are undergraduate and graduate music majors are receiving the same orchestral experience as the members of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Although we, UWM students, are paying money and spending time towards a musical degree, we are equipped no better than high school students towards winning an audition or performing in paid position. Professor Deutsch should be replaced with a music director who is able to lead students to the highest level of excellence.

Additionally:


Orchestra policy should be to schedule concert dates that do not conflict with surrounding orchestras.

The Orchestra should perform works that are complete and suited to the level of a university orchestra. In the past, students have repeated the same handful of works - this should not happen. A well rounded orchestral player should have a wide range of works learned within the college years.

There should be a maximum of 2 dress rehearsals per concert.

A university orchestra should be able to go through repertoire much faster than we currently do. The UWM needs to schedule more concerts with different repertoire for each concert.

Absences should be allowed for auditions of prestigious festivals, orchestras, musical conferences, or music festivals, given that the student provides notice of absence well in advance.

Orchestra should not be a required class to take with lessons.