SF State Orchestra
Laszlo Varga
Varga escaped a Nazi labor camp in 1944 and lived in the Budapest ghetto. After World War II, he performed as principal cellist for the Budapest Symphony until he was removed because of anti-Jewish laws. Varga came to the U.S. with the Léner Quartet and later joined the New York City Opera, where he performed two years before becoming the principal chair for the New York Philharmonic, where he played from 1951 to 1962.
He joined SF State in 1963, teaching cello and chamber music and directing the Morrison Artists Series. After retiring from the University in 1988, Varga taught at UC Santa Cruz, the University of Toronto and the University of Houston.
SF State Orchestra
The SF State Orchestra, is comprised of about 45 musicians, including Music majors and others, as well as faculty, staff and community members who join together to perform four to six concerts on campus each year. All members have demonstrated an outstanding level of musicianship and commitment.
While offering members opportunities to expand their technical, intellectual and musical horizons, the SF State Orchestra performs standard repertoire and new music from student composers, readings for orchestration projects and the annual Concerto Competition Concert. Graduates of the orchestra perform all across the globe, and hold teaching positions or leading positions in their respective major areas of concentration throughout the United States.