In the fall of 2003, following a series of successful collaborations, the orchestras of Brandeis University and Wellesley College officially merged under the baton of Neal Hampton, forming the BWO. This union enables all four institutions and the community to share talents and resources, offering unique creative opportunities within the context of a liberal arts education.
The BWO is committed to upholding the high standards of excellence associated with these institutions. It aims to inspire a new generation of musicians and audiences through compelling performances of celebrated orchestral works, and also champions underserved composers such as Amy Beach, Florence Price, Fanny Mendelssohn, Lili Boulanger, William Grant Still, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, among others.
Each academic year, the orchestra presents three to four concerts. Past performances have featured symphonies and other works by renowned composers such as Brahms, Copland, Dvořák, Mozart, Haydn, Elgar, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev.
Most recently, the BWO celebrated its 20th anniversary season with sold-out performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in collaboration with choruses from Brandeis University, Wellesley College, and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Notable past perforamce highlights include:
A concert featuring internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Marcus Roberts
The Brahms' German Requiem
Orff's Carmina Burana with combined choruses for the Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts
Mahler's Second Symphony in collaboration with Tufts University's orchestra and the combined choirs of Brandeis, Tufts, and MIT
The BWO continues to enrich the musical landscape of its constituent campuses and the broader community through its dedication to artistic excellence and innovative programming.