by Kate MacKenzie

In black, white, blue, and brilliant red, the Cardinal Chamber Orchestra took the stage of Warner Concert Hall on Sunday, February 2. Notably absent from the group of musicians was anyone with a baton.

The string ensemble was the vision of violist Christopher Broyles, who was inspired by his experience attending the concerts of the conductorless orchestra A Far Cry. “They’re some of the most gripping performances in Boston,” he reported. “Because everyone is completely engaged and active in the result, it’s more exciting on the whole. It’s not one person’s dictatorship, but a melting pot of ideas.” Broyles spent the past year developing that vision into a three-week string orchestra intensive taking place during Oberlin’s Winter Term.

To learn from the best, Broyles brought Jason Fisher and Hannah Collins of A Far Cry to Oberlin for a week-long residency. Under the guidance of the “Criers,” students refined the sensitivity and leadership necessary to rehearse and perform unconducted. [Read more…]