Since the craft of orchestral performance is similar to the performance of chamber music, special chamber music coaching is offered by MSM ensemble faculty members. Community professionals serve as guest lecturers. To assess cumulative knowledge, the culminating project is a case study of an American orchestra in crisis. The course prepares students to be educated participants in the non-performing activities of orchestras, including community service, orchestra committee participation, artistic planning, fund raising, audience development, orchestra governance and citizenship, and arts advocacy. Panels of orchestral musicians and union leaders prepare students for their responsibilities as members of Orchestra and Negotiating committees.
Special attention is given to audition preparation.
In addition, students prepare professional materials, write mission statements, assess their personal and musical strengths and weaknesses, establish long term life and career goals, and create action plans for their accomplishment. The course was designed as an holistic approach to the orchestral repertoire, combining history, theory, analysis, listening, and evaluation of orchestral performances. Eight to twelve works are studied carefully each semester, with particular attention drawn to structure, style, orchestration, texture, and harmonic and rhythmic language. The Orchestral Musician as Educator Orchestral majors are encouraged and given first priority to participate in MSM's multifaceted Outreach program, by giving concerts in senior citizen homes, hospitals, diverse venues and schools. Preparation and training as Teaching Artists in MSM's nationally recognized educational outreach program is offered in this elective course.