Roberts Symphony Orchestra

Current Concert Schedule

  • Saturday, March 1
    • 7 PM Pre-concert lecture
    • 7:30 PM Concert
  • Hale Auditorium
  • Dr. Paul Shewan, conductor

Repertoire/Program 

  • Procession of the Nobles (Cortege), from Mlada (Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov)
  • Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 (Felix Mendelssohn)
    • Allegro molto appassionato
    • Joshua Fugate, violin (2024-2025 Roberts Concerto Competition Winner)
  • The Seasons: Autumn (Alexander Glazunov)
  • INTERMISSION
  • La Fête dieu à Seville from Iberia (Isaac Albeniz; arranged by Enrique Fernández Arbós)
  • “Deh vieni, non tardar” from The Marriage of Figaro (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
    • Victoria Heffner, soprano (2024-2025 Roberts Aria Competition Winner)
  • Slavonic Dances (Antonin Dvorak) ’
    • No. 3, Op. 46, in A-flat Major 
    • No. 10, Op. 72, (no. 2) in e minor 
    • No. 8, Op. 46 in g minor 

  • Saturday, May 3
    • 7 PM pre-concert lecture
    • 7:30 PM Concert
  • Hale Auditorium
  • Dr. Paul Shewan, conductor

Repertoire/Program

  • Symphony No. 2, in c minor ‘Resurrection’ (Gustav Mahler)

I love the orchestra because it’s given me the opportunity to grow as a musician.

Dorothy Bellas '17 (Music)

The time that I spend on stage making music with the orchestra are the best hours of my week. It's more than just a musical outlet or hobby for me - it is my passion, my life.

David Ciarvella '00 (Music Education)

The conductor, Dr. Shewan, has a refreshingly different approach to selecting repertoire. Instead of lowering his standard, he raises ours. He holds us to a level of excellence and pushes our technical limits, so we are constantly growing in artistry.

Emily Bartz Hutchinson '17 (Music Performance)

RSO Clarinets

About the Orchestra

For over 30 years, our symphony orchestra has enjoyed a rich collaboration between the Roberts Wesleyan University Department of Music & Performing Arts and highly skilled musicians from surrounding communities.

As we engage, educate, and excite students and community members, our orchestra is constantly reaching new levels of musical excellence and programming. That may be the best thing about this ensemble: it never stops growing. Our hope is to foster a love for and appreciation of the symphonic repertoire for performers and audience members alike.

Meet the Conductor

Donate to the Orchestra

Your contribution sustains our mission of delivering exceptional performances, fostering student talent, and enriching the cultural fabric of our community.

Make your gift today and invest in the future of music at Roberts. Thank you for your support.

Give Today

Special Guests

Ben Heppner, world-renowned tenor, working with students and alumni

David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing with the orchestra

Allen Vizzutti, trumpet virtuoso, performing with the orchestra

Every year, the Orchestra provides opportunities to see and hear:

  • recognized, professional musicians as featured soloists with the orchestra including David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra; and Allen Vizzutti, trumpet virtuoso
  • student concerto/aria competition winners
  • an educational concert, providing the opportunity for nearly 900 children to experience a live orchestra and learn about its instruments at no cost to our schools
  • a live orchestral experience that's accessible and affordable for Monroe County and beyond

Join the Orchestra

The orchestra rehearses on Mondays from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. in Hale Auditorium, Roberts Cultural Life Center. 

Auditions are open to students and community members who play string, wind, brass, or percussion instruments. Students must register for 1 credit, or 0 credits if adding the orchestra causes an academic overload.

Male members are required to wear a black tuxedo, while female members may wear a long black dress or black pants with a black blouse. 

Contact Dr. Paul Shewan to set up an audition time.

Email Dr. Shewan

Orchestra

Meet the Orchestra

Violin I

Matthew Owens - Concertmaster
Lydia Holdridge
Kelly Laraby
Sophia Sharp
Kristin Kant-Byers
Christine Schunk
Joshua Fugate
Jonathan Holland
Marleese Rybicki

Violin II

Sharon Snell - Principal
Cynthia Tibberts
Millicent Lake
Kate Wagner
Pamela Wagner
Amy Mitchell
Olivia Lakra
Melody Kruchten

Viola

Jessica Brabant - Principal
Julia Magin
Kristen Gregory
Patricia A. Goole
Mona Seghatoleslami
Victoria DeRue
Abigail Kate Goshow

Cello

Caitlin Ott - Principal
Ruth C. Perea
Eliot Giebel
Collin Caroland MacConnell
Eric Gambino
Dulcinea Moots
James Honan
Stephen Bow

Bass

Nick Parker - Principal
Cheryl Guth
Steve Keenan
Haley Reynolds

Flute

Kara Brewer*
Kyleigh Penner*
Kayla Reynolds
Sidney Simmons

Piccolo

Kayla Reynolds
Sidney Simmons

Oboe

Katie Southard - Principal
Jeff Tobey

English Horn

Katie Southard

Clarinet

Madeline Couch*
Anna Merante*
Bowen Wei*

E-flat Clarinet

Bowen Wei

Bassoon

Jillian Beaman*
Alison Laurier*

Contra-Bassoon

Derek Baird

Horn

Songyuan Liu*
David Shewan*
Mark Reynolds

Trumpet

Jack Saia*
Lanee Turner*
Caleb Williams
Grace French

Trombone

Tes Haines*
Peter Trim*

Bass Trombone

Joshua Mantegna

Tuba

Corden Zimmerman

Timpani

David R. Ciarvella - Principal

Percussion

Theresa Cimino
Heather M. Hubbell
Kevin Mead
Cheryl Parnell
Frank Valente

Harp

Zuriel Patterson

Orchestra Manager

David R. Ciarvella

Assistant Orchestra Manager

Theresa Cimino

Orchestra Librarian

Haley Reynolds

Orchestra Stage Managers

Lauryn Beyer
Victoria Heffner
Lanee Turner


*Indicates Rotating Principal