Country

:

Italy

Genre

:

Opera

 

The Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra is a classical music ensemble based in Nashville, Tennessee. The orchestra was founded in 1985 by Sister Marie Augusta Neal, O.P., a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia Congregation, who also served as the orchestra's first conductor. The ensemble is made up of students from Saint Cecilia Academy, a Catholic high school for girls, and is open to students of all skill levels. The orchestra's main members are the students of Saint Cecilia Academy, who range in age from 14 to 18 years old. The ensemble is led by a team of conductors, including Sister Marie Augusta Neal, O.P., who served as the orchestra's conductor for over 20 years. Other conductors have included Dr. Christopher Norton, Dr. John F. Bridges, and Dr. Paul Gambill. Over the years, the Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra has performed at a number of prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Vatican in Rome. The orchestra has also performed with a number of renowned musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Joshua Bell. One of the orchestra's most notable performances was at the Kennedy Center in 2008, where they performed as part of the National Festival of the States. The orchestra received a standing ovation for their performance, which included works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky. In addition to their performances, the Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra has also received a number of awards and honors over the years. In 2007, the orchestra was named the Grand Champion of the National Orchestra Festival, which is held annually by the American String Teachers Association. The orchestra has also received numerous awards at the Tennessee Music Education Association's State Orchestra Festival. The Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra continues to be a vibrant and active ensemble, performing regularly at concerts and events throughout the Nashville area. The orchestra's commitment to excellence and dedication to their craft has made them one of the most respected and admired classical music ensembles in the country.

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