Morgantown Community Orchestra

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This ensemble is suitable as a pre-college training program for gifted and dedicated young musicians. 

MESSAGE TO HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS: 

Participation in this orchestra can count towards Community Service credits at school. If you are considering this, please contact your school in advance for approval and let us know upon confirmation. We'll be happy to verify, where appropriate and necessary.

    

Photo credit: Dr. David Bess

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TUITION AND PAYMENT

 MCO MEMBERSHIP: $58.00 + $10.00 processing fee

• FREE to students currently enrolled in private lessons/group classes in the Community Music Program
  
• A flat fee of $21.00 + $10.00 processing fee for WVU CCA students after showing student ID
• A flat fee of $21.00 + $10.00 processing fee for young string players in elementary and middle-school who would like to join the orchestra for a selected number of works

• Community Music Program faculty/staff, WVU College of Creative Arts faculty/staff, and college students outside of West Virginia University may receive up to 10% discount for their MCO membership after showing student ID

• 10% off for seniors, and 5% off for multiple family members/classes/instruments registrations 

• RENTAL of bassoon, cello, violin, and double bass, is possible upon availability and request for $40.00 per term 

Photo Credit: Dr. David Bess

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ABOUT MORGANTOWN COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA (MCO) 

The Morgantown Community Orchestra (MCO) is the largest music ensemble of the Community Music Program at West Virginia University having reached 55 musicians in January 2023, the largest it has been in over a decade. Membership for the MCO is open to everyone from youth to non-music and music major collegiate students to adults and senior citizens throughout the greater-Morgantown community or other counties of the state. The orchestra welcomes intermediate and advanced level players who wish to share and develop their artistic talents while enjoying music-making in a friendly orchestral setting. For potential new members, a gentle informal trial audition is recommended. The repertoire is carefully chosen to accommodate the ensemble’s need for music with a wide range of styles and difficulty.

 

HISTORY OF MCO 

The history of the Morgantown Community Orchestra (MCO) can be traced back to the first decades of the WVU School of Music, founded in 1897.  Enrollments were small in the early years, and for the School of Music to have an orchestra, talented members of the community and students joined in performances. This was certainly the case as late as the 1920s. Subsequently, the WVU Orchestra grew to the point where there were a sufficient number of students to perform orchestral literature, and the community ensemble languished until it was revived in the 1970s. It has been in continuous existence ever since.  The MCO is a unique and exciting group in Morgantown, providing you rehearsals of a wide range of repertoire. It is a perfect opportunity to keep your fingers in good shape and sharp. If you want to learn how to play in a symphonic orchestra, or to improve your skills, here is your chance!

NOTE TO PARENTS OF YOUNG MCO MEMBERS

Although the Creative Arts Center is a safe environment, parents are advised to accompany young children to and from rehearsals and to not leave them unattended for any length of time. The Director cannot be expected to be responsible for waiting around after rehearsals to keep watch on children.