The text of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” is derived from an early 13th century German manuscript found in a Benedictine abbey. Orff weaves this collection of poems including medieval love songs, exuberate drinking tunes, zesty sinners’ confessions, wildly humorous hymns to gambling and gluttony, and a stoic litany to ‘Lady Luck’, into a cantata of power, beauty and fervor. The rhythmic orchestral lines and the energetic choral parts are an exciting and colorful blend of primitive and modern music.

The University Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kimo Furumoto has expanded both in enrollment and performances offered in this second year of his leadership. In addition to his Cal State Fullerton responsibilities, Furumoto is also music director and conductor of the Huntington Symphony Orchestra in West Virginia. He has held the position of director of orchestral activities and string division chair at Ohio University, and was music director of the Concert Orchestra at the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music. He has been conducting assistant and guest assistant conductor with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and has served as associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. In addition, he’s appeared as guest conductor with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe.

The University Singers have a distinguished reputation as one of the finest collegiate vocal ensembles in the United States having toured throughout Europe, most recently in Italy and Spain, and performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony, and lately with Boston Pops and Hollywood Bowl orchestras. Director John Alexander brings an extensive conducting background to the program. His achievements have been demonstrated in his 30-year history as artistic director and conductor of the Pacific Chorale. As a specialist of the choral/orchestral repertoire, he has appeared as guest conductor for many prestigious orchestras around the world, and has also prepared choral performances for many of the world's greatest orchestral conductors including Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Slatkin, Carl St. Clair, John Mauceri and Keith Lockhart.