About the La Sierra University Orchestra
The La Sierra University Orchestra is an integral part of the campus community and is recognized as a premiere university orchestra in Riverside, CA. Students are trained by faculty that include members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as Hollywood studio musicians. The orchestra is composed primarily of music majors, cetoficate program students, and non-majors looking to balance their lifelong love of music with other academic pursuits. The orcehstra is also open to community musicians and advanced high school students looking to further their study of orchestral literature.
The La Sierra University Orchestra performs a variety of repertoire, from full symphonic works to chamber music, operas, musicals, pops concerts, and bothe traditional and contemporary worship music. The orchestra is primarily comprised of students from La Sierra University, but auditions are open to the general public. We also accept advanced high school students looking to further their study of orchestra literature. Auditions are held each Fall at the beginning of the quarter, but ongoing auditions are held on an appointment basis.
Recent past performances have included a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a full production of The Sound of Music, and a tribute performance for Maestro Herbert Blomstedt. Recent guest conductors have included Scott Yoo and Tomaz Golka.
The La Sierra University Orchestra performs a variety of repertoire, from full symphonic works to chamber music, operas, musicals, pops concerts, and bothe traditional and contemporary worship music. The orchestra is primarily comprised of students from La Sierra University, but auditions are open to the general public. We also accept advanced high school students looking to further their study of orchestra literature. Auditions are held each Fall at the beginning of the quarter, but ongoing auditions are held on an appointment basis.
Recent past performances have included a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a full production of The Sound of Music, and a tribute performance for Maestro Herbert Blomstedt. Recent guest conductors have included Scott Yoo and Tomaz Golka.
About this website
The primary purpose of this website is to provide updated information to current orchestra members in a centralized location. For general information about the orchestra program, or for information about the music department and admissions, please visit the La Sierra University Music Department home page at www.lasierra.edu/music. This site is maintained by the conductor and orchestra assistants. For questions or comments, please use the Contact page.
About the conductor
Dr. John Carter, conductor
Dr. John Carter is La Sierra University’s Director of Orchestral Studies, where he conducts the University Orchestra and teaches courses in orchestration, piano proficiency, and university studies. John also conducts Loma Linda Academy’s Consort Strings and teaches private instruction in conducting, composition, and piano. A graduate of La Sierra University, John holds MM and DMA degrees from UCLA where he studied conducting with maestros Jon Robertson and Neal Stulberg.
Previously, John lived in Portland, Ore. where he conducted the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the Jewish Community Orchestra, the Portland Adventist String Orchestra, the Advent Trombone Choir, the Sunnyside Brass Ensemble, and annual musical premieres with Trueheart Productions. He also taught undergraduate courses in conducting and orchestration at Marylhurst University, and was Lewis and Clark College’s interim orchestra conductor in 2008.
John has conducted at a number of summer conducting festivals and workshops, including the Conductors Institute at Bard, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, California Conducting Institute, Rose City International Conductor’s Workshop, and the Conductor’s Guild Training Workshop at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. In 2000 John attended the Aspen Music Festival and School on horn. As a pianist, John won first place in the Inland Empire Piano Festival in 1995. John is an active composer and arranger and has had several dozen works performed by a variety of ensembles. John is an active member of the Conductor’s Guild, the College Orchestra Director’s Association, and the College Music Society.
John and his wife Bonnie, an attorney and alumna of the University, live in Riverside with their three sons Rowan, Ashton, and Brandon.
Previously, John lived in Portland, Ore. where he conducted the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the Jewish Community Orchestra, the Portland Adventist String Orchestra, the Advent Trombone Choir, the Sunnyside Brass Ensemble, and annual musical premieres with Trueheart Productions. He also taught undergraduate courses in conducting and orchestration at Marylhurst University, and was Lewis and Clark College’s interim orchestra conductor in 2008.
John has conducted at a number of summer conducting festivals and workshops, including the Conductors Institute at Bard, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, California Conducting Institute, Rose City International Conductor’s Workshop, and the Conductor’s Guild Training Workshop at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. In 2000 John attended the Aspen Music Festival and School on horn. As a pianist, John won first place in the Inland Empire Piano Festival in 1995. John is an active composer and arranger and has had several dozen works performed by a variety of ensembles. John is an active member of the Conductor’s Guild, the College Orchestra Director’s Association, and the College Music Society.
John and his wife Bonnie, an attorney and alumna of the University, live in Riverside with their three sons Rowan, Ashton, and Brandon.
