The Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra's (OCO) Debut Concert DVD Recording recently took 3rd place in the American Prize Awards for Recordings in the Arts (Ensembles/American Prize in Orchestral Performance 2012/Professional Division). The orchestra boasts a host of UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts alumni whose work is featured in the recording, including:
Sean Kafer, Videographer, MFA Film (pictured at right preparing equipment before taking off to do aerial videography in October 2011)
Sigmund Snopek, Composer
Roberta Carpenter, Conductor and Producer: BFA (1983) and MM (1988) Violin Performance and Orchestral Conducting
UWM Alum Orchestral Musicians include:
Suzanne Geoffrey, Oboe BFA 1989
JoAnn Haasler, Violin, BFA 1993
Marvin Suson, Violin, BFA 1989
Paul Kilpatrick, Cello, 1982
Chris Saunders, Cello, 2010
Andrea Buchta, Violin, Masters in String Pedagogy
Andrew Jackson, Bassoon, MM
Wesley Couch, Trumpet
Beth Lemke, Violin, BME
David Nagele, Trumpet
Carol Meves, Flute
Robert Ignaszak, Viola, 1979
Roberta Mallman, Cello
Another UWM alum, Peter Carpenter (pictured at right), created the 'Instrument Explosion' design, and received a Graphic Design USA Award for the OCO logo.
The OCO is a parent organization with two orchestras, the Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra (professional) and the Lake Country Orchestra (avocational), with outreach in chamber music and music appreciation. The organization is in its fourth season and is located in Oconomowoc in Waukesha County.
The winning recording was with the Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra, and included two premieres written for the Debut Concert. The OCO recently performed a 'Collaboration' Concert with the Waukesha Choral Union in October 2012, featuring a work written as a tribute to the Civil War. The Waukesha Choral Union is led by Peck School alum Ernest Brusibardis II. Mr. Brusibardis and Ms. Carpenter (UWM alum, pictured at right) planned and co-conducted the performance.
A new performing venue (OAC - the Oconomowoc Arts Center) opened in Oconomowoc about 5 years ago. At that time, founders Ann Rumpf (UWM Psychology alum, 1981 and 1983), Robert Ignaszak (UWM alum) and Roberta Carpenter (UWM), spent a year of planning and organization for the organization. Since then, the organization has reached out with approximately 11 - 12 events per year, plus the recordings.
More information about the OCO can be found here.
