University Orchestra

About the Program

George Whitefield Chadwick
Jubilee from Symphonic Sketches
Born November 13, 1854, Lowell, Massachusetts
Died April 4, 1931, Boston, Massachusetts
Composed 1895–1905
Premiere February, 1908, Boston Symphony Orchestra; Karl Muck, conductor
30 minutes

George Whitefield Chadwick, like Edward MacDowell and Amy Beach, was part of a group of American composers in the late Romantic era often referred to as the Second New England School, although they did not have a formal association. Symphonic Sketches is perhaps the best known of Chadwick’s extensive output. He had also composed symphonies, and his use of the term “sketches” in the title suggests a distancing from that form while also acknowledging this work’s light and humorous character. The first movement, “Jubilee,” includes as preface from the composer: “No cool grey tones for me! Give me the richest red and green, a cornet and a tambourine, to paint my jubilee!” 

– Penny Brandt

Alexander Borodin
Symphony No. 2 in B Minor
Born November 12, 1833, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died February 27, 1887, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Composed 1869-1876
Premiered February 26, 1876 , St. Petersburg, Russia, Eduard Napravnik, conductor
30 minutes

The illegitimate son of a Georgian nobleman, Alexander Borodin grew up with the trappings of the upper class, but was never acknowledged as one. Because of the circumstances — falsified birth documents, a fake father, and a mother who only referred to herself as Alexander’s “aunt” — he was not permitted to attend the standard school system. Instead, his wealthy biological father provided full financial support to Alexander and his ”‘aunt” by gifting them a four-story home where Alexander enjoyed an excellent education through private tutors. Although interested in music, and clearly gifted, he attended the Medical–Surgical Academy in Saint Petersburg where, after graduating, accepted a position as a chemistry professor. He was a highly influential figure in his field, and in 1872 was instrumental (pun intended) in the creation of the first medical study courses for female students in St. Petersburg. Ten years before that, at the age of 29, Borodin took his first composition lessons with composer Mily Balakirev. Although Borodin referred to himself only as a “Sunday composer,” he was brought into the group of Russian nationalists known as “The Mighty Five,” which included Balakirev, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. That he only composed on Sundays or when too ill to lecture (he wrote that his musical circle did not say to him 'Hope you are well' but, on the contrary, 'Hope you are unwell') explains the seven-year period it took him to complete his second symphony. Although panned by critics, the work was highly admired by Franz Liszt, who told most of Europe about it, making it the first Russian symphony to be heard abroad. In fact, after hearing of the initial negative press, Liszt said to Borodin, “Your artistic instinct is such that you need not fear to be original. Do not listen to those who would deter you from following your own way...Similar advice was given to Mozart and to Beethoven, who wisely ignored it. Despite the adage that ‘there is nothing new under the sun,’ your Second Symphony is entirely new.”

– Mark Bilyeu

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About the Artists

Chris Tran

Chris Tran is co-director of The University of Texas University Orchestra, graduate teaching assistant for the University of Texas Orchestras, and is currently pursuing a doctor of musical arts in orchestral conducting with Farkhad Khudyev at The University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Tran has been an invited conductor at several masterclasses and workshops in Boulder, Los Angeles, Eugene, St. Andrews (Scotland), as well as the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music with Cristian Măcelaru, Thomas Sleeper, and Leonard Slatkin, and the International Conducting Workshop and Festival with the late Larry Rachleff and Donald Schleicher. He has also worked with conductors Neil Thomson, Jeff Grogan, and Sian Edwards. Mr. Tran earned a master of music in orchestral conducting from the University of Colorado Boulder with Gary Lewis, and a bachelor of music in music education from Southern Methodist University. His conducting mentors include Nicholas Carthy and Paul Phillips. He studied violin with Charles Wetherbee, former concertmaster of the Boulder Philharmonic, and Diane Kitzman, former principal violin of the Dallas Symphony. 

Jarred Kennedy

Jarred Kennedy is currently pursuing a doctorate in orchestral conducting at The University of Texas at Austin and serves as the assistant conductor fellow with the Reno Chamber Orchestra. He holds a master’s degree from Louisiana State University and a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. As a guest conductor, Jarred has collaborated with the Austin Civic Orchestra, Renova Chamber Orchestra, and ensembles at the National Music Festival, as well as the LSU Symphony Orchestras. His recent professional distinctions include serving as the assistant conductor for the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and participating as a fellow of the Reynolds Conducting Institute at the 2025 Midwest Clinic.

Jonathan Thoma

Jonathan Thoma is a first-year D.M.A. student in orchestral conducting, studying at The University of Texas at Austin with Farkhad Khudyev. He is an assistant conductor with the University of Texas Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and is a co-director of the University Orchestra.Born and raised in Fort Dodge, IA, Jonathan earned his bachelor's in music education from Iowa State University. Upon graduation, he became an orchestra director in Muscatine, IA. During his tenure, the Muscatine High School orchestras became the largest high school string program in the state of Iowa, and ensembles under his direction earned top ratings at state festivals. In 2024, Jonathan began working on his master's in orchestral conducting at Texas State University, studying with Jacob Harrison and Caroline Beatty. At Texas State, he guest conducted the Texas State Symphony, assisted with conducting classes, and was a founding director of the Texas State Camerata Orchestra. He graduated from Texas State University in 2026. He is blessed in life with his beautiful wife, Misha, and their kids, Gemma and Elliot.
 

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University ORchestra

PRINCIPALS

1. Chadwick
2. Borodin

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Upcoming Events

Ring in the season with the Butler School’s annual Holiday Concert with music for everyone to enjoy. You’ll hear traditional holiday carols and winter favorites across many genres, including excerpts from Bach’s Magnificat, jazz standards like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and Hanukkah songs from Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish traditions.

Saturday, December 5, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 4:00 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall 

Tickets

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Sunday, October 11, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Friday, November 6, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

MIRÓ QUARTET
Saturday, November 7, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA
Free Admission
Tuesday, November 17, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Selections from Le Faucon
Free Admission
Friday, February 26, 7:30 p.m.
Bates Recital Hall
 

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