Large Ensembles

Large Ensembles

All MMR participants are enrolled in one of the large ensembles. The large ensembles perform at the Festival Concert in Cordiner Hall. The morning rehearsal hours are focused on the large ensemble repertoire.

Instrumental participants are asked to indicate their preference for Symphonic Band, String Orchestra or Festival Orchestra on the online self-evaluation/ensemble preference form following registration. A lottery is held for each section from those who register, pay all fees, and complete their self-evaluation forms by the deadlines.

Large Ensemble and Part Assignments: Please be aware that assignment to your preferred large ensemble is not guaranteed. Our goal is to be as fair as possible to all campers while achieving balanced ensembles and providing leadership as needed.

  • First we pull a lottery within each section and create an ordered list.
  • Then the faculty try to assign each participant to their preferred ensemble/part.
  • If the balance is all off OR if leadership or solo ability is missing somewhere, they will use the ranked list to systematically re-assign as needed.

Assignments are announced at MMR check-in. Music is not sent in advance.

Wait lists: Space limitations and musical considerations make it necessary to cap the number of participants in each section of the large ensembles. Applicants will be accepted primarily on the basis of application date, but musical leadership and balance, previous participation at MMR, and family, travel and musical connections to other campers may be taken into account. When the numerical cap for a section has been reached, additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

The Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Nikolas Caoile, is centered on the strings and balanced by winds and percussion. The repertoire is drawn from standard symphonic literature.

The Festival String Orchestra conducted by Sandi Schwarz will be “chamber orchestra” sized and celebrates the unique sound and literature for strings. The repertoire draws on the full range of string orchestra works from the Baroque to the 20th Century.

The Festival Symphonic Band, conducted by Michael Burch-Pesses, explores the exciting literature available for concert and symphonic band, and may include transcriptions as well as original works for winds, brass and percussion. 

The Festival Chorus, under the direction of Loren Pontén, will prepare SATB music from major choral works for performance with the MMR Faculty Orchestra.

Sectionals: Daily sectionals with faculty specialists on all instruments and voices ensure successful performances at the Festival Concert and a well-earned sense of accomplishment.