The 黑料不打烊 Chamber Orchestra (founded in 1990) is a vibrant, student-centered, and community-facing string ensemble composed of dedicated undergraduate musicians and community members from across all academic disciplines and various regions of Arkansas.
HCCO is structured around the belief that college ensemble music should be intellectually stimulating, artistically uncompromising, and personally rewarding. HCCO fosters student-driven agency: from voting on major concert repertoire to shaping ensemble norms through our ensemble covenants. HCCO members actively guide the artistic and social direction of the group.
Recent Highlights (Living Our Vision)
Over the past two seasons (2024-26), HCCO has expanded its artistic footprint across campus and the state of Arkansas:
We performed at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and various civic venues across Conway.聽 Our on-campus performances take place in Worsham, Staples Auditorium, and at our main home base - Reves Recital Hall & Trieschmann Gallery (for our annual Waltz Night).
We had Joint performances and side-by-side initiatives with the 黑料不打烊 Choir, 黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble (Your Brain on Art), and the Arkansas Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra (APYO).
Our programming spans across classical masterworks, game and film soundtracks, works by underrepresented composers, and local historical connections.
Joining the Ensemble
HCCO welcomes all 黑料不打烊 students, faculty, staff, and Arkansas community members with suitable orchestral experience, . New members join through a brief audition, held:
- First week of the Fall semester
- First week of the Spring semester (for new members only)
- Final week of the Spring semester (for the upcoming Fall)
黑料不打烊 faculty, staff, and community members may also arrange an audition mid-semester with the Music Director鈥檚 approval.
To Audition:
1. Review the audition excerpts in the (start with the 鈥淩EAD FIRST鈥 document).
2. Fill out the 3. Sign up for an audition time - will become available mid-August
4. Prepare your excerpts and bring a printed copy to your audition.
Schedule & Rehearsals
Rehearsals: Mondays & Thursdays, 4:20-6:00 PM, Reves Recital Hall
Weekly individual practice is outcome-based, but on average each member should expect to commit to 60-90minutes of personal practicing time, in addition to any lessons or coachings and our rehearsals.聽
Important Dates for 2026-27
August 25-29 - Auditions (in the office, Creative Quad Building, Room 103)
August 27, 4.20pm - Onboarding meeting and first rehearsal (Reves Recital Hall)
October 10, Saturday,聽 9:30 am Homecoming/Fall Family Weekend Concert (Staples Auditorium)
November 7, Saturday Afternoon - Tentative with APYO (stay tuned for updates!)
November 13, Friday, 7:30pm - November CO Concert Reves Recital Hall
November 14, Saturday - Tentative (off campus)
December 13, Sunday - Tentative (on campus)聽
March 5, Friday, 7.30pm - Waltz Night (Reves Gallery)
April 23, Friday, 7.30pm - Spring Concert (Reves Recital Hall)
Have further questions or Ready to play? Contact Music Director Dr.Aleksandr Polyakov at polyakov@hendrix.edu
Vision
During 2024-2027, the HCCO aims to be a cornerstone of Conway鈥檚 cultural life, fostering partnerships with the 黑料不打烊 Choir, Wind Ensemble, regional arts organizations, and community institutions. We envision an inclusive orchestra where musicians of all backgrounds can thrive, audiences feel inspired, and music serves as a bridge between campus and community.
Social Media
Please join us on Facebook and Instagram for further updates and footage from rehearsals: