About Us
Who are we?
The Vanderbilt Commodore Orchestra (VCO) is composed (pun intended) of a wide range of musicians in the Vanderbilt University community, including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff! The majority of our orchestra are undergraduates with a passion for classical music and performance but whose home school is not the Blair School of Music.
We typically hold one concert each semester, and we rehearse every Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm in the Music Rehearsal Hall at Vanderbilt University.
We hold auditions each semester. We welcome all musicians of many different levels to try out. Members must re-audition each Fall, but we offer a Spring audition for members who didn’t participate in the Fall. Audition information will be released in early August each year on this website and our Instagram page.
If you are interested in joining or have any questions, message us on Instagram or contact orchestra@vanderbilt.edu !
Programs
VCO offers various performance programs, including a full symphonic orchestra as well as smaller chamber groups.
The symphonic orchestra holds one concert every semester and meets every week. Past repertoire can be found in our Archives page. For further information, email us.
This year, VCO will feature a string orchestra that will play repertoire consisting of string players in both in and out of the symphonic orchestra.
VCO also offers diverse opportunities to perform in chamber groups. In the past, our chamber groups have performed at Spotlight, the first-year arts orientation, Vanderbilt Performing Arts Encore Showcase, ChamberFest, and our very own VCO Chamber concert. We’d also love to hear your suggestions regarding repertoire and performance opportunities!
For more information, go to the Prospective Members page. If you are interested in joining our program, please fill out the Interest Form. If you have any questions regarding VCO’s programs, please feel free to email us at orchestra@vanderbilt.edu or message us on Instagram. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
Founding
The idea for VCO began in July of 2012 with Keehun Nam, and took almost a year to materialize. With support from Dean Wait and the Blair School of Music, executive board members like Claire Evans and Jasper Brey, and countless student players, the orchestra began to take shape.
Since 2013, VCO has provided free concerts for the Vanderbilt Community under the direction of great names like Jeremy Wilson, Caleb Harris, Emily Krasinski, and many more. Administratively, the VCO Board runs the orchestra.
VCO is supported by the Blair School of Music.
Mission & Values
Mission
The purpose of the VCO is to provide an inclusive, musically enjoyable, educational, and culturally enriching performance opportunities for all members of the Vanderbilt University community while delivering high–quality music.
Musical Experience
We believe that music is essential to the well–being of both the individual and society at large. In addition, we also believe that it is beneficial for everyone to participate in a musical experience at a meaningful level, whether as the performer or the listener.
Inclusivity
We commit to encouraging a non-competitive atmosphere. We will welcome anyone from the Vanderbilt community to audition and will not exclude or discriminate against anyone for race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.