Violinist

Dr. Geronimo Oyenard

Violinist Bio

Uruguayan violinist Geronimo Oyenard has studied with Ludmilla Cavallaro, Amos Lawrence, Lee-Chin Siow, Kevin Lawrence, Hal Grossman and Gregory Lee. After serving as concertmaster for the National Youth Orchestra and as the youngest member of the National Symphony Orchestra in his native country, Geronimo attended the College of Charleston on a full scholarship, where he obtained his Bachelor’s in Arts and an Artist’s Certificate in Performance. He then furthered his musical studies at the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA), where he received a Master’s Degree in Performance, and at the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his DMA in Performance.

After winning the 1999 Jeunesses Musicales Competition, Dr. Oyenard soloed with the SODRE National Symphony (Uruguay). He has also acted as concertmaster and soloist with the Lynchburg Symphony, the New River Valley Orchestra, and the College of Charleston and UNCSA orchestras. As orchestral musician, Dr. Oyenard has performed in a variety of roles with the Charleston Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the West Virginia Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, the Richmond Symphony, the Roanoke Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Opera on the James, and the Williamsburg Symphonia. He is currently Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Arkansas, and plays regularly with the Tulsa Symphony and Ballet and other regional orchestras.

As chamber musician, Dr. Oyenard as been a member of the Charleston Promusica early music ensemble, and the Stern Scholar and Blue Ridge string quartets. He has also participated in numerous summer chamber music workshops and orchestral festivals in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Austria, Spain, and France. Dr. Oyenard has performed frequently as recitalist for the Roanoke College, Hollins University, College of Charleston, and Dallas Baptist University faculty and chamber music series. He is currently a member of Die Kunst Ensemble.

Dr. Oyenard plays a copy of a 1768 Nicolaus Gagliano violin, made by luthier Robert Brode in 2014. The original instrument is currently owned by Julianne Lee, Assistant Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

To download my full C.V., click HERE.

For a selection of newspaper reviews, interviews, and articles, click HERE (in English) and HERE (in Spanish).

People ask me all the time, "Why do you play the violin?"

“When I perform, I play for four distinct audiences. My focus always changes, but somehow they are always present. I play for the composer, because I wish to faithfully interpret their music through my own lens; for myself, because I enjoy self-expressing through music and enjoy playing my instrument; for my teachers and mentors, because they invested in me and I am grateful for how they helped me grow as a musician; and, most importantly, for the audience, regardless of size, because I enjoy sharing what I have to say musically with them.

This is usually followed by: "what do you like the most about being a musician?

Which is why, after a lot of thinking, I decided to compile a "top ten list" of reasons, or "musical commandments," if you will. In no particular order:

The love of music itself—as listener, performer, teacher, and arranger.
The physical, intellectual, and emotional experience of making music.
Being a “musical archaeologist” by rediscovering and bringing back forgotten or neglected works.
The love of performing and being in front of an audience: the excitement, the applause.
Connecting with the audience, sharing a sense of community and communication.
The musician’s idealism, ambition, and daily process of practice, preparation, and performance.
A sense of (albeit temporary) accomplishment.
A sense of identity, purpose and meaning in life.
Being part of something larger than myself, a musical community dedicated to a larger cause.
The never ending challenge of surpassing one’s limitations and constantly improving.

Recent Live Performances

A. Vivaldi-O. Respighi: Sonata in D Major, RV 10

I. Moderato (a fantasia) - II. Allegro moderato - III. Largo - IV. Vivace

Recorded live at the University of Oklahoma, April 2017. Sam Magrill, Piano.

J.S. Bach: Sonata no. 2 in a minor, BWV 1003
I. Adagio

Recorded live at the University of Oklahoma, April 2018.

W.A. Mozart: Concerto no. 5 in A, K. 219
I. Adagio - Allegro aperto

Lead-in by Robert D. Levin. Original cadenza by G. Oyenard.

E. Grieg: Sonata no. 3 in c minor, Op. 45 I. Allegro molto ed appassionato

Recorded live at the University of Oklahoma on April 14, 2017.

Sam Magrill, piano.

L. van Beethoven: Konzertsatz in C Major, WoO5 (Excerpts)

Here are some excerpts from a seldom performed and heard work, Beethoven's unfinished concertante movement for violin and orchestra in C, WoO 5. As part of my final Doctoral Lecture Recital, I programmed violinist Joan Manen's virtuosic yet idiomatic completion of Beethoven's "torso," paired with Mozart's apocryphal Violin Concerto in E-Flat, K. 268 (attributed to Austrian violinist C.F. Eck). The performance took place at the University of Oklahoma on April 26, 2019, conducted by John Morrow, and accompanied by a Classical-sized orchestra comprised of advanced students and led by Oklahoma City University Professor of Violin, Dr. Benjamin Shute.

A. Glazunov: Violin Concerto in a minor, Op. 82
I. Moderato

Recorded live on campus at the University of Oklahoma (April, 2018).

Sam Magrill, piano.

S. Barber: Concerto, Op. 14
I. Allegro

Recorded at Heights Community Church (Roanoke, VA) in 2013.

A. Dvorak: Romance in F, Op. 11

Recorded live at Virginia Tech University, spring 2012.

New River Valley Symphony, conducted by James Glazebrook.

“The Vivaldi Concerto was, once again, a remarkable showcase for Concertmaster Geronimo Oyenard”

Diario El Pais (Uruguay), Jan. 30 1998

“The Vivaldi Double Concerto was the tightest work on the program, with great performances by its two soloists. Concertmaster Geronimo Oyenard was very precise in the difficult passagework (…) It is important to mention the continuing loyalty of these young musicians to their Youth Orchestra, despite the fact that many of them are already playing in our national Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras. Months ago, 16 year-old Oyenard performed this same work and yet the following morning ranked first in the SODRE Orchestra’s violin section substitute audition.”

Diario El Pais (Uruguay), September 12 1998

“College-bound Geronimo Oyenard’s farewell recital program was put together very thoughtfully. He opted to forego shallow virtuosism for musical hierarchy, with works by Mozart, Kreisler, Sarasate, Elgar, and Haydn.”

Diario El Pais (Uruguay), January 2000

“Handel’s music in the third set brought to the stage violinist Geronimo Oyenard. It’s hard to believe he is just a sophomore in college. He plays with great sensitivity and restraint, and the interplay of violin and voice was outstanding.”

"Newcomer shines in Early Music Series," by Mary Solomon (The Charleston Post & Courier, May 2000)

“Violinist Geronimo Oyenard played a Mozart concerto (no. 3 in G Major, K. 216) with style and musicianship.”

The Charleston Post & Courier, November 24 2002

"One of the most versatile and committed musicians I have had the pleasure of working with. Any orchestra in the U.S. should feel honored to have a musician of Mr. Oyenard’s status in its ranks."

Lorenzo Muti

Conductor and Artistic Director,

The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle

"I spent six weeks working with Mr. Oyenard at the International Festival Institute at Round Top in 2007. I have a vivid memory of his warm personality and vibrant view of what music inspires in young people and what it asks of the musician making it happen. His accomplishments since then speak volumes to how these qualities have evolved through evidence of his teaching activities, entrepreneurial skills in forming chamber music ensembles and winning leadership positions in several orchestras."

Jorja Fleezanis

Former Concertmistress, Minnesota Orchestra

Violin Faculty, Indiana University

"Geronimo was always a first choice for leadership roles for the many projects at NCSA in which he participated, be it the top graduate string quartet or as concertmaster for opera premieres. He was a great leader of the orchestra as well as someone to whom his fellow students could look up to for motivation and support."

Sheila Browne

Viola Professor, Tianjin-Juilliard (China)

" As a conductor with more than half a century of experience, conducting orchestras from all over the world, and multiple recordings, I can testify for Mr. Oyenard’s commitment to his art and what makes him such a unique player. One of Uruguay’s most talented violinists, he performed Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto in G Major, K. 216 with great command of style and uncommon musical assurance. The concert was broadcast multiple times on public television and radio. While furthering his career in the United States, Mr. Oyenard has become not only a cultural ambassador to his home country, but an invaluable asset to the musical and cultural life of the United States. I have followed Mr. Oyenard’s career with admiration. His multiple engagements with some of the nation’s top orchestras (many of them in critical Assistant Concertmaster and soloist positions) can testify to his ability to excel as an extraordinarily experienced and knowledgeable orchestral musician, able to blend with any section, and perfectly articulate conductors’ most sophisticated musical ideas. In addition, Mr. Oyenard’s gifts and repeated performances as a seasoned chamber musician and recitalist, make him a complete musician."

Jose Serebrier - Grammy-Award Winning Conductor and Composer

"Clearly Geronimo Oyenard is a violinist of extraordinary ability, which has been demonstrated by sustained international acclaim.”

Raymond M. Hair, Jr.

President, American Federation of Musicians

"It is my opinion that Mr. Oyenard has a level of talent and ability far above that usually found in musicians. His playing combines exquisite refinement and compelling emotional communication with an unusually strong command of violin technique."

Kevin Lawrence

Chair, String Department, UNCSA

Artistic Director, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival

"The presence of a musician of Mr. Oyenard's character end accomplishments make him a vital asset to our community. His service as a professional musician and music educator enhances the quality of life in our region in extraordinary and unique ways."

Scott Williamson

Artistic Director, Opera Roanoke

"It is very rare to find an instrumentalist who is adept and versatile enough to shine as an orchestral musician, as well as a chamber player, and, most importantly, as violinist in an opera production. One must have an impeccable level of preparation, sensitivity and intuition in order to follow the conductor and singers at a moment’s notice, and the ability to work under a high level of pressure over the course of long and intense rehearsals and performances. Based on my national and international experience and professional relationship with Mr. Oyenard throughout all these years, I can vouch for his qualifications without reservation.

In addition to being a demonstrably outstanding violinist, he is a colleague upon whom I can always rely in every aspect of our collaboration. He is immaculately prepared for each rehearsal and performance. His musicianship consistently takes on the demeanor of leadership, inspiring and making his colleagues better. I have been fortunate enough to work with him as a conductor, but also experienced his music-making as an audience member on many occasions, as part of the faculty chamber music series at Roanoke College and Hollins University. A true chamber musician, Mr. Oyenard has the ability to perfectly blend and support his colleagues, regardless of instrument, while elevating the quality of any performance he is involved with. The obvious joy that he radiates in his work is reciprocated by the joy that all of us experience with each privileged opportunity to make music with him. In my decades of work as a musician, these kinds of rewards are rare indeed. With Geronimo Oyenard, they are guaranteed.”

Steven White - Conductor, Metropolitan Opera

"Having conducted more than 40 orchestras over 5 continents, I am in a position to speak of Mr. Oyenard's exceptional musical gifts. As soloist under my baton, he gave musically insightful and memorable performances of Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto and Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no. 5. His performance of the Mozart work was an example of style and exquisite musicianship, remarkable for its beauty of sound and sense of dialogue with the orchestra, a characteristic of Mozart's writing yet missing from many interpretations. The Bach was notable for its unity of phrasing, tight ensemble between the soloists and orchestra (led by Mr. Oyenard), and an innate sense of deep musicianship, as opposed to simply becoming a show-off piece.

Based on my experience, Mr. Oyenard’s versatility, commitment to musical excellence, and his ability to adapt to any position in a symphony orchestra and beyond (be it performing symphonic, operatic or popular repertoire) make him a complete musician of rare gifts that should be treasured by any musical organization that engages him. His long involvement with such an esteemed and eminent organization as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is utter proof of Mr. Oyenard’s uniquely exceptional level as a world-class musician.”

Bundit Ungrangsee - Principal Guest Conductor, Seoul Philharmonic; Author and Speaker

"Mr. Oyenard auditioned for the Roanoke Symphony in 2007. As part of the audition panel, my colleagues and I were immediately taken with the high caliber of his playing, technical assurance, and unique musicality. As a result, he was awarded the top violin spot that day. In later seasons, Mr. Oyenard performed as Assistant Concertmaster on multiple occasions. Mr. Oyenard is perfectly equipped to handle the demands and pressure the role entails, and, as my stand partner, he additionally has the rare gift to seamlessly blend with my sound and musical interpretation. This speaks highly of his unique and major contributions to the RSO and distinguishes him considerably from his colleagues. Mr. Oyenard has performed and handled this demanding position with utmost assurance and command of the role. I firmly believe Mr. Oyenard is an indispensable asset to any arts organization in the country fortunate enough to count on his musical expertise. Having worked with him for over six years, I can testify without reservation his presence in the United States will continue to benefit and enrich our country’s musical life and education for years to come."

Akemi Takayama - Concertmistress, Williamsburg Symphonia; Faculty, Shenandoah Conservatory

"While at the Round Top International Music Festival, my colleagues and I unanimously chose Mr. Oyenard out of a pool of 25 top violinists from 17 different countries to be the concertmaster for the festival’s 4th of July Concert. Mr. Oyenard shone in the position and was crucial to the ensemble’s success, proving to be a uniquely knowledgeable and inspiring leader, one who was asked to play the exposed solos in Gershwin’s An American in Paris. This was the only concert not led by the appointed concertmasters-in-residence, all of them experts in their field as leaders of the Seattle, San Francisco, Minnesota, Honolulu, and Austin Symphony orchestras. It is indeed a critical role for a high-pressure event that very few people can navigate successfully. Needless to say, Mr. Oyenard fulfilled this leading role with aplomb, and was an inspiration to his peers."

Felicia Moye - Former Concertmistress, San Francisco Symphony

"While I initially met Mr, Oyenard as a student at the College of Charleston, I always thought of him as a respected colleague, and always treated him as an equal, His violin playing is of particular distinction. The sweetness of his tone and the facility of his technique are indicators of his value as a very talented musician. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French, something very rare and desirable in a musician and instructor of his caliber, In fact, he is currently in the process of translating into Spanish my upcoming manual "Violin Science." Geronimo is a positive force and a talented individual who has always demonstrated to me the best qualities. He can only be a credit to the institution that has the good fortune to utilize his abilities."

Amos Lawrence - Concertmaster, Brookline Symphony Orchestra