Ensembles | University Symphony Orchestra

University Symphony Orchestra University Symphony Orchestra University Symphony Orchestra

Director: Barbara Schubert
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:30 - 10:00 pm, Mandel Hall

The 100-member University Symphony Orchestra presents an ambitious season of six major concerts per year (two each quarter).  Known for its imaginative presentations of unusual repertoire as well as for its powerful performances of major symphonic literature, the University Symphony opens each year with a costumed Halloween concert – a family-friendly event enhanced by storytelling, dancing, and special effects – and closes with a celebratory year-end collaboration with the combined choirs.  Repertoire generally encompasses 19th- and 20th- century works written for large orchestral forces, including masterpieces by Beethoven, Bruckner, Dvorák, Mahler, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Vaughan Williams, and more.  In recent years the USO has presented several silent films with live orchestral accompaniment, including Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin, and performed with many acclaimed professional soloists.  USO musicians are coached by the Pacifica Quartet and members of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.  Membership is chosen on the basis of competitive auditions, and includes undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community members.

Instrumental auditions are held annually during Orientation Week at the beginning of autumn quarter. Visit the auditions page for more information.

2009-2010 Concert Dates:
Saturday, October 31 at 7:00 and 9:00p.m.:  Halloween Concert: Cosmic Adventures
Saturday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m.:  Beethoven and Rachmaninoff
Saturday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m.:  Opera Gala
Saturday, March 6 at 8:00 p.m.:  Beyond Flamenco
Saturday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m.:  Concerto Showcase
Saturday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m.:  Cathy Heifetz Memorial Concert
Sunday, May 30 at 3:00 p.m.:  Cathy Heifetz Memorial Concert