March 26, 2025 | 11:00AM
Givingday.uchicago.edu
UChicago Giving Day
March 25-26, noon-noon
About the University Symphony Orchestra
The 100-member University Symphony Orchestra (USO) is widely known for its imaginative presentations of unusual repertoire as well as for its powerful performances of major symphonic literature. The University Symphony opens each season with a costumed Halloween concert—a family-friendly event enhanced by storytelling, dancing, and special effects—and often closes the year with a celebratory collaboration with combined choirs. The USO performs with acclaimed professional soloists or UChicago Concerto Competition winners every season.
A deeply meaningful student experience
Membership in the USO offers students a wide variety of enriching opportunities, helping them develop their musical proficiency to the highest degree possible and nurturing their lifelong commitment to the arts. Participating in the USO fosters a broader and more meaningful student experience for the many talented UChicago student musicians.
“The USO has been the defining extracurricular activity of my time at the College.”—Michael Lee, College Class of 2026
“The deep appreciation for musical nuance practiced every week in the USO carried into many aspects of my broader intellectual journey at the College.”—Emily Dow, AB’24
“My time in USO was one of my most impactful experiences at UChicago. USO allowed me to grow both as a musician and as an individual and was central to the liberal arts education I received. It was a powerful experience that expanded my skills of collaboration, creativity, discipline, and abstract reasoning.”—Caroline Koclanes, AB’23
The impact of a gift to the USO
Contributions to the USO are vital to its future. Your gift will help support guest soloists, professional coaches, and special projects, as well as enable the USO to continue livestreaming its concerts and meet the ever-increasing costs of music rental, concert production, and other structural support.
No gift is too small—and all gifts will greatly benefit both current and future members of the University Symphony. Please keep symphonic music thriving on campus by supporting the USO today!