Symphony Orchestra
As the flagship orchestra of the university, the Symphony Orchestra presents high-quality concerts and experiences to undergraduate and graduate students of California Baptist University. Under the direction of Dr. Gene Moon, the orchestra regularly performs major works from the standard orchestral repertoire spanning from the Baroque to contemporary composers into the 21st century.
Members of the Symphony Orchestra are trained in professional orchestral rehearsals and performances while honing their craft through intense applied studio experiences. The Symphony Orchestra performs classical concerts, choral masterworks, and operatic programs throughout the academic year. Members of the Symphony Orchestra move on to pursue graduate degrees at conservatories around the world and play in professional orchestras throughout the region.
To schedule an audition, please visit our Next Steps page, contact the CBU School of Performing Arts office by phone at 951-343-4251, or email us at performingarts@calbaptist.edu.
String Placement Auditions
For all violinists, violists, cellists, double bassists, and harpists
All returning and new students to the CBU Symphony Orchestra must prepare music for string placement auditions to be held the weekend prior to the start of fall classes. These auditions are not for scholarship consideration, but serve to place students in the correct ensembles and for initial seating position.
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Harp
The link for excerpts and parts can be found here.
String Placement Auditions will be held on Sunday, Sep. 3, between 1-5 pm in the Hawkins Music Building, Room 108.
Concerto / Aria Competition
The Collinsworth School of Performing Arts is excited to invite students to audition for a spot as guest soloist with the CBU Symphony Orchestra through the CBU Concerto/Aria Competition. One of the most sought-after experiences for a musician, earning a spotlight performance lasts a lifetime and profoundly impacts a musical career.
For more details, visit our Concert Competition page or send an email to Dr. Moon at gmoon@calbaptist.edu.
Dr. Gene Moon
Music Director and Conductor, Symphony Orchestra
Conducting all around the world, maestro Gene Moon has graced the podium of orchestras on four continents over the course of his career. Beginning the fall of 2018, Dr. Moon joined the faculty of California Baptist University serving as Director of Orchestral Studies. His recent posts have included Director of Orchestral Activities at Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX), Artistic Director of the East Texas Youth Orchestras (Tyler, TX) and Music Director and Conductor of the Longview Symphony Orchestra (Longview, TX).
Sought after, nationally and internationally, maestro Moon has led performances with orchestras including the Saigon Philharmonic, Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín, Gangnam Symphony Orchestra and All-State orchestras in Arkansas and Louisiana along with orchestras of the University of Macau Orchestra and Hong Kong Baptist University and many region honor orchestras and festivals throughout the United States. He is on faculty with the Sewanee Summer Music Festival and works with hundreds of young musicians from all around the world each summer.
Ms. Ruth Noemy Wheeler
Assistant Conductor, Symphony Orchestra
Hailed by her audiences as “An outstanding, inspiring and passionate musician”, Mrs. Wheeler is the Concertmaster of Corona Symphony Orchestra and Founder of the California Baptist University Symphony Orchestra. She is known by striving for excellence in all what she does, making a difference among her peers but mostly among her students helping them and mentoring them as young musicians. Teaching younger generations is one of her passions and she demonstrates it in every opportunity. Her mentorship and leadership are remarkable in the lives of her students. She is firm but kind; sharing life lessons with them knowing that the work she does now is for her students' future. Her credentials are impressive. Her studies include the Manual Carra Professional Music Conservatory, in Malaga, Spain, Superior Conservatory of Music of Malaga, California Baptist University, The Juilliard School, NYC (Summers 2011, 2013, 2015,2017), and The New York Conducting Institute- Summers 2017 and 2018.
Mrs. Wheeler currently is the Assistant Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra Director of the University Choir and Orchestra; as well as one of the Violin Instructors at California Baptist University.