Sinfonia at Seton Hill logoSinfonia at Seton Hill is an artistic and educational ensemble performing repertoire for chamber orchestra. Membership is open to Seton Hill string majors, non-majors and community adult string musicians. Select members of the Westmoreland Symphonic Winds will partner with Sinfonia to perform works for full orchestra.

Music Director & ConductorPatrick Forsyth headshot photo

Patrick L. Forsyth

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Patrick began violin studies at the age of three, and first performed professionally with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra at 16, becoming the youngest musician ever to occupy a position in the orchestra. 

In college, Patrick studied with renowned pedagogues and world-class performers Oleh Krysa and Cyrus Forough, themselves former pupils of the legendary Russian violinist David Oistrakh. Patrick received his Bachelor’s in music performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and his Master’s from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Patrick now lives in Pittsburgh, where he teaches a private studio of violin students and acts as conductor of the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic’s most advanced orchestra level. He actively performs with chamber groups, new music ensembles, and orchestras across the U.S, including as a founding member of the Red Line String Quartet, and recently appeared as a soloist with the Pittsburgh Civic and Young Artists Debut Orchestras. In addition to his classical music training, Patrick is also an accomplished performer and improviser in jazz, pop, and fiddle music, and frequently arranges music from various genres for special events and weddings. His arrangements have been performed internationally on 5 continents.

Who must audition?

  • All prospective members are required to perform an audition.
  • All members must re-audition each year.

When & Where Will Auditions be Held?

  • Auditions will be conducted via digital video submission this year via the online form link found here.
  • Videos and links must be submitted by Monday, August 21st no later than 11:59 pm
  • Each instrument has excerpts selected from core string repertoire.  These excerpts can be downloaded below

Fall 2023 Audition Excerpts

Sinfonia Audition Instructions

Violin I Excerpts (PDF)

Viola Excerpts (PDF)

Cello Excerpts (PDF)

Bass Excerpts (PDF)

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held Monday evenings from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center's Johnson Rehearsal Room. (Woodwinds, brass, and percussion will join rehearsal from 7:30-8:00 pm.)

For more information, contact Michelle Walters at walters@setonhill.edu or (724) 552-2923.