On Sep. 7, the Lab Orchestra gathered in the Lang Music Concert Hall for its first rehearsal this semester. The Lab Orchestra, founded in 2016, is a student chamber orchestra led by advanced student conductors. It is a part of the Fetter Chamber Music Program on campus. The Lab Orchestra’s director, Andrew Hauze ’04, spoke with The Phoenix about the development of the program.
“For years, I have had a number of students studying orchestral conducting in independent studies with me after completing Music 18: Conducting and Orchestration, and we kept coming up with special projects to help enable them to gain experience as conductors,” he said.
“After creating such projects on a nearly yearly basis, in 2016, I asked the department if it would be possible to have a standing ensemble to help student conductors learn their craft and to give some of our student musicians the opportunity to play music for chamber orchestra. One of the biggest challenges for a young conductor is finding enough opportunities to actually conduct real musicians as opposed to conducting silently in a room by yourself,” Hauze explained.
Because of the Lab Orchestra’s ability to provide student conductors with the rare opportunity to nurture their skills, it has set itself apart from the other music programs at Swarthmore College.
Kielor Tung ’25, a student conductor in the Lab Orchestra, told The Phoenix about the significance of the program for student conductors like him.
“Conducting is one of those things that you cannot truly practice and improve without the help of some sort of orchestra … It’s rare for an undergraduate student to have access to a lab orchestra to practice their craft, even more so at a non-music school. When I talk to student conductors at other music schools, they tell me how fortunate I am to be able to conduct an actual orchestra on a regular basis as they do not have access to such luxuries,” he highlighted. “I would not be as good of a conductor without the program’s help.”
Beyond providing student conductors with such a unique experience, the Lab Orchestra’s impact and influence on such students extend beyond their years as a student at Swarthmore.
“As I am preparing for graduate school applications and auditions in orchestral conducting, I hope to utilize the Lab Orchestra as much as I can as I know I would not have the success I have now if it were not for the Lab Orchestra,” said Tung.
Moreover, Hauze added that the Lab Orchestra distinguishes itself from other Swarthmore musical groups, as the program is organized to aid the development of student leadership.
“A lot of the process is about the students learning how to work with one another most effectively to make the most beautiful music possible,” Hauze explained. “I’m always reminding my students that this is a lifelong process, but I am so happy that they can begin this process at Swarthmore. I am so grateful to my own conducting mentors for giving me time to conduct while I was a student here, but the Lab Orchestra makes that opportunity much more regular.”
The principal violist of the Lab Orchestra, Dylan Scollon ’25 shared how the program is both a venue to continue his musical endeavors and a social outlet.
“Through the Lab Orchestra, I really learned to understand the importance of community in an orchestra and of the overall process of making music within a group. It’s such a unique experience since everyone is learning in the Lab Orchestra at the same time,” Scollon said.
Additionally, Scollon highlighted how the program also fosters musical and personal growth within its student members.
“My favorite part of Lab Orchestra is seeing the progress of conductors. When a conductor is nervous or unsure, you as a player can feel it, so it’s interesting to see how a student conductor evolves over the course of a semester or academic year as they grow into the vulnerability and power that comes from being a conductor. It makes me proud, especially since the conductors are often my friends,” said Scollon.
Similarly, Hauze emphasized the enjoyment and pride of seeing the growth of the student conductors.
“My favorite part is when I can see my conducting students gain confidence in their rehearsal technique and feel like they know just how to best help the group achieve the results they’re looking for. This means that I can sit back, listen, and enjoy their progress, and that they have reached the next level as young conductors,” said Hauze.
Tung discussed his own experience with the Lab Orchestra. He joined as an instrumentalist but now participates as a conductor.
“I joined as a violinist and violist in my first semester, and have been in the Lab Orchestra ever since. Before I realized that I wanted to become a conductor, the main thing that drew me to join the program was the $15-per-hour wage. However, as I played more, I grew to absolutely love it,” he said.
Another aspect of the Lab Orchestra is its relatively small size. Hauze told The Phoenix that sometimes the Lab Orchestra is a string-only orchestra, but it has, at times, expanded to include small numbers of woodwinds, brass, and percussion instrumentalists. Scollon also highlighted the importance of the unique size of the Lab Orchestra as it allows him to perform a more diverse repertoire and experience different styles of music as compared to a typical full orchestra or symphony.
“I wanted to continue doing music from high school. I was very passionate about playing the viola and wanted more experience in a college setting. I could really enjoy the intimate aspect of group music-making rather than just being exposed to a powerful full orchestra sound that can often be overwhelming and impersonal in larger orchestras. And, given the small size, it makes it easier to form friendships, and we can do a lot of collaborative performances.” said Scollon.
Hauze highlighted how some of his favorite experiences also involved such collaborations with guests from both inside and outside of the Swarthmore community.
“Some of my favorite experiences involve our collaborations, whether with guest performers like the Jasper String Quartet or Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim, or with other student artists, such as our several collaborations with ballet dancers from the dance department. Perhaps my favorite Lab Orchestra experience was our children’s concert featuring Peter and the Wolf in 2019, when Lang Concert Hall was filled with young children experiencing this wonderful music up close. I am thrilled that we are hosting another children’s concert with the same music this December!”
Likewise, Tung explained how his favorite memory was performing “The Marriage of Figaro” by Lorenzo Da Ponte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart during Fall 2023.
“‘The Marriage of Figaro’ is one of my favorite pieces of all time. During then, it was also my ten-year anniversary since I started conducting, and it felt so special to celebrate with the same piece that I made my conducting debut with,” he said.
Given the nature of such a niche musical group, Hauze hopes that students in the Lab Orchestra will attain a deeper understanding and regard for the various figures and roles that work together in an orchestra.
“I hope that all of the students who participate in the Lab Orchestra will have a greater appreciation both for the art of conducting and the art of orchestral playing, and that they will be driven to deepen every component of their own music making. Making music in a chamber orchestra is such a complex and nuanced activity, requiring total concentration and commitment to collaboration from everyone in the ensemble, and it is an endless joy to me to share these experiences together in rehearsal and performance,” said Hauze.
The Lab Orchestra is scheduled to perform “Four Seasons: Winter” by Antonio Vivaldi, conducted by Yixin Cui ’25, alongside “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev, conducted by Tung, on Dec. 11, 2024, at the Lang Music Concert Hall.
