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About the Orchestra
About the Orchestra
The Siouxland Chamber Orchestra is Siouxland's premier chamber orchestra, dedicated to enriching the area's cultural life through exceptional orchestral performances for the community.
Founded with the belief that Siouxland deserves regular access to high-quality chamber orchestra performances, the ensemble brings together outstanding professional musicians with ties to the area and beyond. By engaging experienced local performers, the orchestra seeks to showcase the remarkable artistic talent already present in our community while providing meaningful professional performance opportunities close to home.
The beauty of the SCO is its vibrant sound coming from an intimate-sized group. This allows the orchestra to play in many different venues: from the lobbies of cultural centers to the main concert stage. Beyond the concert stage, the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra is committed to strengthening the area's musical ecosystem. Through accessible performances, educational outreach, and artistic collaboration, the orchestra strives to inspire audiences of all ages, cultivate a deeper appreciation for orchestral music, and contribute to the continued growth of the arts throughout Siouxland.
As a new cultural organization, the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra envisions a future in which chamber music becomes a lasting and vibrant part of the region's artistic identity. We invite our community to join us as we celebrate the beginning of this journey and help build a lasting tradition of musical excellence in Siouxland.
About the Artistic Director
About the Artistic Director
Michael Widjaja is the founding Artistic Director and conductor of the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra. A conductor, trumpet player, and educator from Sioux City, Iowa, he is committed to expanding access to professional orchestral music across the Siouxland region while creating meaningful opportunities for audiences and musicians alike.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut, where he founded the Hartt Chamber Collective, a collegiate chamber orchestra dedicated to collaborative music-making and innovative programming. His artistic leadership reflects a passion for thoughtful repertoire, community engagement, and the belief that live orchestral music and its power should be accessible to all.
An accomplished trumpet player, Michael has performed with nationally recognized ensembles and festivals across North America, including the National Music Festival as an Orchestral Fellow, the National Youth Wind Ensemble in Washington, D.C., the NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra, PRISMA Festival & Academy in British Columbia, Credo Music Festival in Chicago, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
Beyond the podium and stage, Michael has served as President of The Hartt School's National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Collegiate Chapter and Collegiate Student Co-Chair for the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA). In recognition of his musicianship and leadership, he was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Glen Adsit Award, receiving a Yamaha Wayne Bergeron Signature trumpet.
Through the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra, Michael hopes to cultivate an enduring artistic home for provoking orchestral performances in northwest Iowa and the surrounding region.
You can learn more at michaelwidjaja.com.
Give the Gift of Joy
Give the Gift of Joy
Your generosity helps bring inspiring live orchestral music to the community. Every gift supports our musicians, creates meaningful performances, and helps the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra continue to grow.
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