The Amadeus Chamber Symphony has been performing in St. Cloud and surrounding areas, since 1990. Most of the members of the ensemble are musicians from Central Minnesota, and many have been with the ensemble since its beginnings. The orchestra’s roots go back to 1971, when Axel Theimer, then in his second year on the CSB/SJU Music Department faculty hired an orchestra to be part of the choral department’s performance of Gabriel Faure’s ‘Requiem’. Harvey Waugh was concertmaster, Dave Ernest was one of the oboists and Jim Johnson, still a member, played (and still plays) viola and, when needed, the violin. All three were SCSU professors.
Since then, many of the finest instrumentalists from Central Minnesota have contributed to the success of the ensemble, who’s main mission remains to perform music written specifically for chamber orchestra, but also includes programming of major symphonic works by composers such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn and chamber orchestra gems by Finzi, Barber, Dello Joio, Warlock, Delius, Wagner and others.
For many years we have invited recommended high school Seniors from Central MN to join us for our annual “Share a Stand” concerts. It gives students the opportunity to participate in the performance of major symphonic works – alongside the ‘permanent members’ of the orchestra – they share a stand, as they share their love for making music.
Former Concertmasters
Harvey Waugh
Dr. Marion Judish
In-Memorium
Harvey Waugh, violin
David Ernest, oboe
Scott Bryce, violin
Beverly Williams, violin/viola
Cecilia Diffley, viola