ENSEMBLES 2012

The University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra

The University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra is the first – and so far the only – Danish symphony orchestra to ever be affiliated with a university. The association was first made in 2002 and was brought about by its current conductor Saul Zaks, who is also the conductor of the University of Southern Denmark Chamber Choir (www.suk.sdu.dk)

The University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra is made up of between 25 and 60 musicians who are students of either the University of Southern Denmark or the Royal Danish Academy of Music. Each year, the musicians perform as many as six concerts featuring works from the Baroque period to the present day. There is also special emphasis on New Tango Music, reflecting the Argentine origins of the ensemble’s conductor Saul Zaks. It is no surprise therefore that, apart from performing in its home country, the University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra’s musical travels have not only taken it to Germany and France but also to Argentina, where the ensemble has been nominated as Honorary Guest in the year of 2008.

Musicians from the University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra perform frequently as soloists - both in Denmark and other countries. These performances take place at concerts where international well - known soloists who we also play with perform.

Our conductor Saul Zaks – who was born and raised in Argentina and Israel – is a teacher at the Royal Academy of Music and is on the staff of the University of Southern Denmark. He has guest conducted the Danish National Radio Chamber Choir and assisted conductors such as Robert King (The King’s Consort – UK), Michael Schwønwandt and Thomas Dausgaard. Saul Zaks has also worked extensively as a freelance conductor and guest professor with various renowned ensembles and at prestigious educational institutions in Denmark, Israel, Italy and Latin America.

This year´s concert at the Summa Cum Laude Festival takes place with the kind support of Bikubenfonden, Augustinus Fonden and the Danish Conductor´s Association.


The University of Southern Denmark Symphony
Orchestra European concert tour is sponsored by

Saul Zaks

Artistic leader and conductor

Education
Conducting studies at The Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance, Israel, with Prof. Mendi Rodán. Diploma in musical theory, history of western music and conducting from the Danish National Academy of Music.

Conducting studies with Prof. Jorma Panula, Jin Wang and Andrew Parrott.

Principal engagements
Conductor of the Jerusalem Kaprizma Ensemble for Contemporary Music and the Jerusalem Academy of Music Ensemble for Contemporary Music.

Guest conductor for The Danish Radio Choir.

Lecturer at the Musicology Institute, University of Copenhagen and at the Danish National Academy of Music.

Founder of the University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra.

Conductor of the University of Southern Denmark Chamber Choir.

Guest professor in choral conducting at the University of Buenos Aires, Universidad Católica de Asunción del Paraguay, Conservatorio Nacional de Bolivia, Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro and Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba.

Recording of the month in Europe www.musicweb-international.com/.....

Nomination to Danish Grammy (P2 Prisen) www.dacapo-records.dk/.....

Specializing in music from Latin America. Performances with, amongst others, the composer Ariel Ramirez and the singer Mercedes Sosa.

Competition Program

Additional Concerts Program