Chapman Chamber OrchestraIf you see a blur of musicians dashing by, it just might be the Chapman Chamber Orchestra. The Chapman University group, under the direction of Daniel Alfred Wachs, assistant professor and director of instrumental studies, has had an especially busy semester.

Most recently the orchestra performed at the  Orange County Museum of Art as part of its prestigious Third Thursday Program. The orchestra was specifically chosen for the museum’s March 15 Third Thursday debut of the groundbreaking exhibition “Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series.”(The exhibit continues through May 27.)

“The Chapman Chamber Orchestra has established regular series beyond campus at the Nixon Presidential Library as well as at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Here’s hoping that we can add a third regular venue in Newport Beach,” said Wachs.

During interterm, the Chamber Orchestra, along with members of the Chapman Percussion Ensemble, directed by Nicholas Terry, D.M.A., assistant professor, traveled to Las Vegas where they performed a capstone performance at the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts. Robert Becker, assistant professor and director of string studies, Paul Sherman, D.M.A., adjunct professor, conductor of the University Symphony, and Teren Shaffer ‘08, adjunct professor of conducting, joined Professor Wachs and members of the orchestra in holding workshops and master classes for a variety of the region’s music programs.  The tour ended with a reception co-hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations for prospective students and alumni.

The next major performance for the Chapman Chamber Orchestra will be the Sholund Scholarship concert May 12. The concert begins at 4 p.m. in Memorial Hall. For more information, visit the College of Performing Arts website.