Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The CWU Orchestra program is recognized as the preeminent collegiate orchestra program in the Northwest, performing as many as ten concerts per year including choral/orchestral collaborations, a concerto competition, Halloween concert, opera productions and guest artist concerts. The ensemble consistently receives invitations to perform at State Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) and Northwest Regional NAfME conferences. In February 2018, they have been invited to perform at the 2018 Capital Orchestra Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. They will also present Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. Recent performances include Ravel’s La Valse as part of an invited performance for the State MENC Conference, and fully staged performances of Mozart’s "The Magic Flute" at Icicle Creek’s Snowy Owl Theater and Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" at the Capitol Theater in Yakima.
With an emphasis on a wide range of repertoire, the 80-member ensemble has premiered many pieces while presenting standard masterworks. Recent programs have included: Brahms Symphony No. 4, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, Debussy La Mer, Shostakovich Symphony No. 10, Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra, Respighi Pines of Rome, Sibelius Symphony No. 5, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, John Adams Lollapalooza, Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms, Dvorák Cello Concerto, Ravel La Valse, Paulus Erotic Spirits, Mahler Symphony No. 2, Brahms Symphony No. 2, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3, Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, and Bernstein Symphonic Dances. In 2010, the orchestra performed premieres of Elaine Ross and Maria Newman in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in Washington State. In 2011, the orchestra was invited to celebrate Alan Hovhaness’ 100th birthday in a performance of his Magnificat at Benaroya Hall.
The Chamber Orchestra presents music designed for a more intense and intimate setting. These programs consist of music from the baroque, classical, romantic, and modern periods, including music from living composers such as: Aaron Jay Kernis Musica Celestis, Milhaud La Creation du Monde, Stravinsky Apollon Musagete, Schoenberg’s arrangement of Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, John Adams Shaker Loops, Arvo Pärt Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, Beethoven Symphony No. 4, and Mozart Symphony No. 41. The Chamber Orchestra has also collaborated with the Chamber Choir on Mozart's "Requiem" and a full-length performance of Handel's "Messiah".
CWU has partnered with KCTS 9 and KYVE 47 to provide televised programming of the Symphony Orchestra concerts. “CWU On Stage” is hosted by CWU Director of Orchestras, Dr. Nikolas Caoile. Click here to see archives of these broadcasts.
Central Washington University Symphony Orchestra
Conductor's Bio
Nikolas Caoile is a conductor, pianist, and music educator. Currently, he is Music Director and Conductor of the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Director of Orchestras at Central Washington University, and the Music Director of Lake Union Civic Orchestra. In 2019, Caoile completed a 2-year term as Acting Chair of the Department of Music at CWU. He has conducted many other orchestras including: Auburn Symphony, Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Chamber Singers (OSSCS), Northwest Mahler Festival Orchestra, Rainier Symphony, Yakima Symphony, Gig Harbor Symphony, Lake Avenue Orchestra, and Olympia Symphony. In 2009, he conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas in collaboration with the Christopher Wheeldon's Morphoses Dance Company at New York City Center. Caoile participated at the Cabrillo Festival for Contemporary Music where he worked with Marin Alsop and Gustav Meier.
A passionate believer in music education for all ages, Caoile has led numerous educational and community engagement concerts including the Alaska, Indiana, and Idaho All-State Orchestras, the Washington All-State Jr. Orchestra as well as many honor orchestras in Washington, Montana, Alaska, Arizona, Oregon and Indiana. In 2019, Caoile directed the All-City Middle School Orchestra in Salem, Oregon. In 2016, Caoile received the Outstanding Orchestral Achievement Award from the Washington Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Caoile regularly presents clinics at National Association for Music Educators Regional and State Conferences and has served as a presenter for Seattle Symphony Pre-Concert Talk series.
Born in Portland, Nikolas Caoile now resides in Ellensburg WA with his wife, mezzo-soprano, Melissa Schiel and their son, Kieran. Caoile holds degrees in conducting and composition and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan. In 2019, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Citation from Willamette University. He was also awarded the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award from CWU’s College of Arts and Humanities. His principal teachers are Kenneth Kiesler, Gustav Meier, and Peter Erös. Caoile also enjoys playing golf, NYT Crosswords, and cooking.
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