Interested in joining the Willimantic Orchestra?
We are a diverse group of musicians who enjoy working together to bring quality music to our community. We rehearse on Thursday evenings and present 3-4 concerts per year. Our section vacancies vary, but we are always interested in the possibility of new members, and encourage you to inquire. For further details, please email us:
orchestra.willimantic@gmail.com
Our Conductor
Scott Chaurette enjoys a varied career as a conductor, bassist, and teacher. For 11 years he was Music Director of the Worcester, MA based Seven Hills Symphony where he worked with world-renowned professional soloists, coordinated performances featuring symphonic music with multimedia, and ran outreach programs to local schools and community organizations. Scott looks to make orchestral music fun and accessible for everyone, breaking down the barriers of formality that often accompany the orchestral performance experience, and selecting innovative programs often containing non-traditional elements. As a guest conductor he has been invited to lead youth, community, and regional honors orchestras throughout New England. His conducting teachers include Toshiyuki Shimada, Edward Cumming, Jeffrey Renshaw, and Peter Sacco.
A classically trained bassist, Scott holds a BM from the Boston Conservatory and an MM from the University of Illinois. He has performed with ensembles including the Portland Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and the Hop River Chamber Players. Scott has also studied jazz, contemporary styles, and bass guitar technique at the Berklee College of Music. He has over 20 years experience playing in bands ranging in style from rock to R&B to tango.
Scott is also the Chair of the Fine Arts Department and Director of Orchestral Activities at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT where he leads a thriving arts department. Previous teaching positions include the University of Connecticut, Western New England College, and St. Joseph’s College.
Scott has been our Conductor since the 2017-2018 concert season.