CofC Ensembles

CofC Ensembles is a series of student performances by our orchestra, opera, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, Latin American Music Ensemble and steelband.

2024-2025 Concerts

Concerts are added throughout the year. Dates, times and venues are subject to change.
  • Orchestra

    Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Sottile Theatre

    Join the College of Charleston Orchestra and conductor Yuriy Bekker for an exciting program featuring award-winning CofC faculty. Violinist Lee Chin Siow and cellist Natalia Khoma will be highlighted in a performance of Brahms' Double Concerto. The program will culminate with the repertoire that the  orchestra will take on tour to Carnegie Hall this winter, including selections from Dvořák's New World Symphony and a world premiere composition by professor Yiorgos Vassilandonakis.

    Learn about our accomplished orchestra, from performances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall to acclaimed guest performers.

    Need help with tickets? Contact the George Street Box Office.

    Feb. 26 | Carnegie Hall in New York City

    On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the College of Charleston Orchestra will have the experience of a lifetime performing on one of the most prestigious stages in the world — Carnegie Hall. Their performance, together with performances by the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra will give a taste of the cultural jewels of Charleston. Learn more.

    April 31 | 7:30 p.m. | Sottile Theatre

    Under the direction of Yuriy Bekker, the College of Charleston Orchestra will perform a major symphony and a soloist. Details TBA.

    Learn about our accomplished orchestra, from performances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall to acclaimed guest performers.

    Need help with tickets? Contact the George Street Box Office.

  • Opera

    Oct. 25 (7 p.m.), Oct. 26 (6 p.m.), Oct. 27 (3 p.m.) | Chapel Theatre

    Caught in the Act! Opera Scenes – Scandalous scenes from the operatic and musical theater repertoire, featuring the music of Massenet, Tchaikovsky, Sondheim, Mozart and more. 

    Learn about College of Charleston Opera and its impressive projects and history.

    Need help with tickets? Contact the George Street Box Office.

    Feb. 21-23 | 7:30 p.m. | Sottile Theatre

    College of Charleston Opera and the Charleston Symphony present two one-act operas Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Gluck and Il Re by Umberto Giordano. Directed by Saundra DeAthos-Meers and Amanda Castellone. 

    Learn about College of Charleston Opera and its impressive projects and history.

    Need help with tickets? Contact the George Street Box Office.

  • Choral Ensembles

    Under the direction of Carlos B. Brown, the College of Charleston Choirs will present fantastic season of concerts. Learn about our Choral Ensembles.

     

    Oct. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Mt. Zion AME Church

    Fall Gospel Fest: “Let the High Praise Begin!” – featuring the College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University Gospel Choirs. 

    • FREE admission

    Nov. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | Mt. Zion AME Church

    College of Charleston Concert Choir: “Songs for a New Season” – featuring music by Handel, Mozart, Brown, Dawson, Wilberg, Hogan and more. 

    Need help with tickets? Contact the George Street Box Office.

    April 5 | 7:00 p.m. | Mt. Zion AME Church

    College of Charleston Gospel Choir: Spring Gospel Showcase: “Let’s Celebrate”

    Need help with tickets? Contact the George Street Box Office.

    April 19 | 7:00 p.m. | Mt. Zion AME Church

    College of Charleston Concert Choir: “Let Love, Peace, and Hope Abide”

    Need help with tickets? Contact the George Street Box Office.

  • Highlights of Last Season

    Spring Choir Performance

    • The College of Charleston Concert Choir, directed by Carlos B. Brown, will perform The Choral Sounds of Dr. Sharon J. Willis: A Celebration.

      Sharon J. Willis is the only woman composer in the United States to have founded an opera company (Americolor Opera Alliance) and been its principal composer. She has written 16 operatic works to date that feature Afrocentric, social, health and American subjects. Willis is the former department chair of music at Morris Brown College and Clark Atlanta University.

    Die Fledermaus Opera 

    • Known as one of the world’s most beloved operettas, Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus tells the story of a practical joke with unexpected consequences. Rife with mistaken identities, flirtation, seduction and champagne, Die Fledermaus offers a farcical comedy with a captivating score sure to delight and enchant audiences of all ages.

      The production is a collaboration between the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Music and presented alongside musicians from partnering Charleston Symphony. Director: Peter Spearman | Associate Director: Sandy DeAthos-Meers 

    Concert Choir "Candlelight Christmas" Performance 

    • The College of Charleston Concert Choir presents "A Candlelight Christmas Concert" featuring music celebrating the holiday season – with works by Bach, Southall, Thompson, Mendelssohn, Coleridge-Taylor, Bass, Wilberg, Carter, Whalum and Moravec. The choir is conducted by Carlos B. Brown. The performance also features collaborative pianist Lorna T. Barker and guest tenor soloist Johnnie Felder. 

    Fall Orchestra Concert 

    • Performance by College of Charleston Orchestra composed of students, faculty and professional musicians. Conductor Yuriy Bekker unifies students, faculty, and professional musicians for a captivating performance featuring two Ukrainian musicians — international multiple award-winning violinist Nazar Pylatyuk and accomplished music student Maria Savelyeva. The orchestra will perform Smetana’s tone poem Moldau, and Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont.

      Bekker expounds on the program: "With the ongoing war and devastation in Ukraine, we aim to express our support to the Ukrainian community in Charleston through our music.  With the power of music, we want to bring people together and uplift our Charleston-Ukrainian community during this difficult time." 

    "L'amour et la mort" Opera & Music Theatre 

    • College of Charleston Opera presents a staged scenes program, "L'amour et la mort," exploring the themes of love and death as portrayed in opera and musical theater. You will enjoy the works ofPuccini, Wagner, Donizetti, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Gounod, Mozart and more. Directed by Saundra DeAthos-Meers and Amanda Castellone.

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Concerts & Performances

Under the direction of Yuriy Bekker, the College of Charleston Orchestra is just one of the many ensemble performance opportunities available for our students to share their talents with Charleston audiences.

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