Projects
Conducting
Much of Juilliard-trained violinist Jeri Jorgensen's career was spent as first violinist of the award-winning DaVinci Quartet, so when the opportunity presented itself to move into conducting, it was a natural fit. She directs the Colorado College Chamber Orchestra, the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Chamber Orchestra, and the Festival Orchestra of the Manitou Chamber Music Festival. Jeri is highly motivated to introduce young musicians to both new repertoire and historically informed performance practice.
Starting during the summer of 2024, Jeri has been a participant in the Girton Conducting Course - first in Cambridge, subsequently in Chichester, England. She was one of two Americans invited to conduct the Pazardjik Symphony as part of the 2026 International Conducting Competition in Pazardjik, Bulgaria. The combination of intellectual rigor, musical interpretation and physical coordination that make up leading an orchestra allow her to bring together her interests and abilities in a compelling way.
Jeri has studied conducting in workshops with Carl Topilow, Wes Kenney, Colin Metters, Dominic Grier, and Neil Varron. She follows the lineage of the Monteux/Barzin method taught by British conductor George Hurst (1926-2012) and is an ongoing student of Denise Ham.
Manitou Chamber Music Festival
Founded in 2014 by Jeri and her former duo partner pianist Cullan Bryant, the Manitou Chamber Music Festival is a dual-faceted performance and education community that takes place over the summer at the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association's Building. In its first year, it had only eight students - now, the enrollment is consistently above 40 students.
For two weeks during the month of July, faculty artists mentor advanced 8th to 12th grade student musicians in small groups as they delve into the world of chamber music. Students share the stage with faculty at the final concert, and student groups prepare two complete works in anticipation of the student concerts at the end of the two week festival.
More information, including an application to participate, is available here.
Discography
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