National Repertory Orchestra
The National Repertory Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Breckenridge, Colorado, USA. It is an ensemble of young musicians selected from leading conservatories and music schools in the US and Canada, who join on a temporary basis each summer to give a series of performances.
History
The National Repertory Orchestra, originally called the Blue Jeans Symphony, was founded in Estes Park, Colorado, in the year 1960 by Walter Charles. In 1966 it moved to Evergreen, CO, and in 1986 to Keystone Resort. At this time the orchestra changed its name to the National Repertory Orchestra, an effort made to show the mix of both national and international musicians.
In 1993 the orchestra received an invitation from the town of Breckenridge to relocate to the Riverwalk Center. The Riverwalk Center is now the summer residence of the National Repertory Orchestra.
Awards and Achievements
- 1985: Kennedy Center performance and the 20th anniversary of the orchestra
- 1995: Performance at Colorado’s Olympic Festival
- 2007: 30th Anniversary of Carl Topilow's work with the NRO
- 2010: National Endowment of the Arts, first grant awarded
Principal Conductor and Musical Director
Carl Topilow has worked thirty-four years with the NRO. Since his instruction at the National Repertory Orchestra, the musicians have made multiple performances outside of those regularly scheduled including performances at The Olympic Festival in Taiwan, China, and Korea, The Wolf Trap, the Pope’s trip at Denver, and the Kennedy Center. Along with his work in the NRO, Carl Topilow works for the Cleveland Institute of Music as both the Conductor and the Director of the Orchestral Program.
Guest Conductors for the 2014 Season
- William Eddins
- Jeffrey Kahane
- Andrew Litton
- Michael Stern
Guest Conductors for the 2013 Season
- Danail Rachev
- James Judd
- Carl St. Clair
- Mei-Ann Chen
Guest Conductors for the 2012 Season
- Douglad Boyd
- Giancarlo Guerrero
- Andrew Litton
- Peter Oundjian
Community
Community Link Program
As many students of the National Repertory Orchestra are not from the state of Colorado or the United States of America, the orchestra provides interns and musicians with host families from Summit County, Colorado, during the summer program as an alternative to orchestra sponsored housing. The host families also provide home-cooked or restaurant meals daily.
Musician Dinners
Once a week on Thursdays Community Link Program members (musicians and host families) are invited to attend a Musician dinner with other NRO members.
Musical Opportunities in the Community
Aside from the previously mentioned, musicians with the NRO will make guest appearances at various locations around the community,(preschools, hospices, etc.).The musicians gain training for alternative music careers in working with music therapy and music education.Outreach programs are also run through the NRO to engage local youth in an interest in orchestra and the production of music in general. One such event includes a musical instrument “petting zoo” where children are allowed to handle and play actual orchestra equipment.In addition, musicians at the NRO are trained weekly by Dr. Deforia Lane in the execution of [musical therapy]. In these sessions they are shown how to work with patients with psychological,neurological and physical disabilities and the potential benefits that the recognized practice of musical therapy can have to offer.
Community Support
The National Repertory Orchestra relies on receiving donations to continue to provide musicians with the opportunities that the NRO has available. Funding supports the 8 week summer course, 29 concerts, and all of the outreach programs designed to give back to the community. Donations are key to the running of the National Repertory Orchestra since the amount of money necessary to send a musician through a single session can run up to $10,000.
Musicians Information
Musicians who are 18 to 28 years old and have finished a year of conservatory, university, or college may apply to join the orchestra. Auditions for the NRO are held in a variety of states across the United States of America. A new audition is required for every 8 week session. In a single session, there are typically around 29 concerts. 88 young musicians will be accepted for each session.
Musician Room and Board
Accommodations are in a ski resort style. Musicians will be put on a monthly stipend, as an allowance for groceries. Apart from that, no payment is given to the Musicians or Interns in the National Repertory Orchestra.
Interns
The intern program that the NRO has to offer provides a unique opportunity that is often not present in other orchestra programs across the country. Interns are, like musicians, provided with tuition-free access to the program as well as room and board.